Matthew HARLEY

Matthew represents individuals, corporates, states and state entities in arbitrations in industry sectors including energy, oil and gas, hospitality, real estate and construction. Hehas represented clients in arbitrations conducted under the rules of (among others) the ICC, LCIA and DIAC, and seated in major arbitral centres as well as the GCC countries. He has represented clients in disputes under governing laws including those of England & Wales, the UAE, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Kenya, the Netherlands and Spain.

Matthew also sits as an arbitrator. He has recently been appointed as an arbitrator in arbitrations under the rules of (among others) the ICC and the Qatar International Commercial Conciliation & Arbitration Center, including one arbitration with approximately USD 13 million in dispute.

Matthew also has substantial experience representing clients in court proceedings related to arbitrations. These include obtaining interim relief such as anti-suit injunctions, as well as applications to enforce or resist the enforcement of arbitration awards. Matthew successfully represented a state entity in proceedings to resist the recognition of a USD 390 million arbitration award, in which the proceedings were ultimately determined by the Supreme Court of England & Wales.

Matthew also advises clients on mediations and dispute avoidance and management strategies, as well as fraud and asset-tracing matters. His experience of the latter includes representing a state in the successful recovery of assets misappropriated by a former regime.

Matthew was formerly senior counsel and acting registrar at the DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre in Dubai, which was at the time the leading arbitration institute in the Middle East. In that role he administered hundreds of commercial arbitrations, as well as mediations and regulatory proceedings, and worked closely with the LCIA Court. As a result, he has a unique insight into, and deep knowledge of, the practice of international arbitration, which he uses to his clients’ advantage. He also previously spent time on secondment with a Big Four accounting firm in London and a leading legal consultancy in Kenya.

Matthew is a co-founder of the Virtual Arbitration project, established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage the use of virtual hearings. The project won a Global Arbitration Review special recognition award for “response to the coronavirus pandemic” in July 2020. Matthew also participates in pro bono matters, and has previously represented a refugee in an arbitration involving a supranational organisation.