Matthew Gearing QC

Silk 2014

"Very famous QC whose professional qualifications need no further explanation."

Chambers Global (Dispute Resolution)

Overview
Experience
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For enquiries please contact

Alex Taylor
Senior Clerk
+44 (0)20 7842 3706
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Luke Diebelius
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3711
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Matthew Gearing QC is an exceptionally highly regarded litigation lawyer, with particular expertise in international arbitration, where he enjoys global recognition.

He has particular experience of acting in arbitrations across Asia, having been principally based in Hong Kong for many years prior to returning to the UK in 2020.

Within Chambers Global 2022, he is ranked as a Global Market Leader for Arbitration (International), in the Spotlight Table for arbitration in the Asia Pacific region and in band 1 for his arbitration work in Singapore. His arbitration expertise in China, India and Philippines is also recognised in the guide. Matthew is also ranked in Band 1 for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: The English Bar – Singapore, in the Spotlight Table for International Arbitration across Asia Pacific and in Experts Based Abroad – Philippines, in Chambers Asia Pacific 2022. In recognition of his contribution to the Asian legal community, in 2019, Chambers & Partners awarded Matthew the Outstanding Achievement Award. He has also been listed in the Hall of Fame for International Arbitration in Hong Kong by The Legal 500 and is currently ranked by the directory for his commercial work across the Asia Pacific region.

Matthew’s experience extends to both commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, including under various rules such as ICC, UNCITRAL, SIAC, HKIAC, KLRCA, SCC, LCIA and ICSID, and in a variety of sectors including technology, financial services, energy and natural resources and manufacturing.

Matthew spent over 20 years at a magic circle law firm before being called to the Bar. He was Chairperson of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre for three years and was previously co-chair of the LCIA Young International Arbitration Group. He is now a member of the LCIA Court. Matthew is also a Hong Kong solicitor-advocate.

In addition to acting as counsel, Matthew sits as arbitrator across a wide range of cases including investment treaty matters, and is on the HKIAC, SIAC and KLRCA panel of arbitrators.

Recent Highlights

Acting for Nissan Motor Company in a claim against the Union of India pursuant to the 2011 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and India in connection with investment incentive sums owed to Nissan by the State Government of Tamil Nadu.

Acting for BG (now part of the Shell group) and Reliance in arbitration proceedings exceeding US $5 billion commenced under the UNCITRAL Rules against the Union of India, in disputes arising out of two production sharing contracts, and also advising them in related court proceedings.

Acting for a Chinese SOE in an ICC arbitration in relation a project to redevelop an oil refinery in Central America.

Acting for an international oil and gas company concerning the construction of an LNG facility in Australia.

Acting for an investment bank in a dispute with a counterparty concerning derivatives documented under the ISDA Master Agreement.

Expertise

Reliance Industries Ltd & Anor v The Union of India [2018] EWHC 822 (Comm) (16 April 2018)

Reliance Industries Ltd & Anor v The Union of India [2020] EWHC 263 (Comm) (12 February 2020)

Competition Commission v Nutanix & others CTEA 1 of 2017

First instance decision, plus various interlocutory decisions available on the same website.

X, Y v ZPRC, ZHK [2020] HKCFI 631

Nissan Motor Co Ltd v Republic of India (2017, PCA)

Baggerwerken Decloedt En Zoon NV v Republic of the Philippines (ICSID, 2017, ICSID)

Notable International Arbitration Cases

Reliance Industries Ltd & Anor v The Union of India [2020] EWHC 263 (Comm) (12 February 2020)

X, Y v ZPRC, ZHK [2020] HKCFI 631

Reliance Industries Ltd & Anor v The Union of India [2018] EWHC 822 (Comm) (16 April 2018)

Competition Commission v Nutanix & Others CTEA 1 of 2017

First instance decision, plus various interlocutory decisions available on the same website

Nissan Motor Co Ltd v Republic of India (2017, PCA)

Baggerwerken Decloedt En Zoon NV v Republic of the Philippines (ICSID, 2017, ICSID)

Acting for an oil major in a SIAC arbitration against its joint venture partner relating to exploration activities in an offshore oil and gas block in the Philippines.

Acting for two oil majors in contractual and treaty proceedings concerning offshore oil and gas blocks in a South East Asian country.

Acting for a major private equity group in an HKIAC arbitration arising out of an interest in a real estate fund.

Acting for Baggerwerken Decloedt en Zoon NV, in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of the Philippines, arising out of the cancellation of a €280 million infrastructure project. This was the first successful ICSID award obtained against the Republic of the Philippines.

Acting for a software company in the first set of breach proceedings brought by the Hong Kong Competition Commission.

"An interviewee who characterises him as a 'quick-footed advocate' with 'an unrivalled depth of Asian market experience and great cultural sensitivity,' adds: 'I cannot think of anybody in the arbitration space who has achieved what he has in so relatively short a time'."

Chambers & Partners, Asia Pacific (International Arbitration)

"Matthew Gearing QC of Fountain Court Chambers is regarded as a highly distinguished arbitration lawyer with considerable experience behind him in commercial and investment treaty cases. One market source describes him as a 'top guy' for arbitration."

Chambers & Partners, Asia Pacific (Dispute Resolution)

"Matthew Gearing QC of Fountain Court Chambers in London and Singapore is sought after for his expertise in international arbitration involving the Philippines. He is particularly experienced in disputes arising in the energy and infrastructure sectors. One source enthuses: 'I cannot sing Matthew Gearing’s praises enough'."

Chambers & Partners, Asia Pacific (Dispute Resolution)

"He is without a doubt the best lawyer in Asia, he's genuinely great. He’s a great mentor, team leader and good advocate."

Chambers Global (Arbitration)

"Widely considered a standout practitioner in the market."

Chambers Global (Dispute Resolution)

"He has very sharp thinking on key legal issues and can always take control of the situation during hearings."

Chambers Global (Dispute Resolution)

"Market sources praise Gearing for 'providing a steady hand in steering arbitrations'."

Chambers Global (Arbitration)

"Matthew Gearing QC is a lauded arbitration counsel in the Indian alternative dispute resolution market."

Chambers Global (Dispute Resolution)

Chambers & Partners – Global

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: The English Bar (Singapore) (Band 1)
International Arbitration – The Bar – Asia-Pacific Region (Spotlight)
Arbitration (International) – Global Market Leaders
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration – China (Foreign Expertise in India)
Dispute Resolution – Philippines (Expertise Based Abroad)

Chambers & Partners – Asia Pacific

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: The English Bar (Singapore) (Band 1)
International Arbitration – The Bar – Asia Pacific Region (Spotlight)
Dispute Resolution – Philippines (Expertise Based Abroad)

The Legal 500 – Asia Pacific

The English Bar: Commercial

LPC, The College Of Law, Chester (1995)
BA (Hons), Jurisprudence, Oxford University (1993)

Appointed Vice President of the LCIA court (2022)
Chairperson of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (2017-2020)
Solicitor-advocate, Hong Kong (2013)
Solicitor, Hong Kong (2001)
Panel member of BVI International Arbitration Centre
Appointed to HKIAC panel of arbitrators
Appointed to SIAC panel of arbitrators
Appointed to KLRCA panel of arbitrators

Appointed Vice President of the LCIA court (2022)
Awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award by Chambers & Partners (2019)
Named Arbitration Practitioner of the Year (Asia Law and Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Awards 2017, 2019 and 2020)
Chairperson of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (2017-2020)
Queen’s Counsel (2014)
Solicitor-advocate, Hong Kong (2013)
Solicitor-advocate, England & Wales (2005)
Solicitor, Hong Kong (2001)
Solicitor, England & Wales (1997)
Appointed to HKIAC panel of arbitrators
Appointed to SIAC panel of arbitrators
Appointed to KLRCA panel of arbitrators
Panel member of BVI International Arbitration Centre
Member of LCIA Court
Appointed to Prime Finance’s panel of Dispute Resolution experts
Previous Co-Chair of the LCIA Young International Arbitration Group

Russell on Arbitration 24th Edition, Thomson, Joint Editor, with David Sutton and Judith Gill QC (2015)
Russell on Arbitration 23rd Edition, Thomson, Joint Editor, with David Sutton and Judith Gill (2007)
“Reforming ICSID”, 20 International Arbitration Report, 1, p.29 – 38 (2005)
“International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)”, Arbitration World, The European Lawyer Limited, p.57 – 78, contributed chapter (2004)
“Contractual Claims and Bilateral Investment Treaties – A Comparative Review of the SGS Cases”, Journal of International Arbitration, 21 (5), p.397-412 (2004)
Arbitration in Hong Kong: A Practical Guide, Sweet & Maxwell, Contributing Editor (2003)
“Going Full Circle in Singapore – Dermajaya Properties”, 17 International Arbitration Report, 10, p.29 – 35 (2002)
“A Judge in His Own Cause?”: Actual or Unconscious Bias of Arbitrators, IntlALR, 2, p.46 – 51 (2000)

French (highly competent)

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