HomeMatthew Gearing KC

Expert resume of Matthew Gearing KC

Barrister, Fountain Court chambers

Matthew Gearing is widely regarded as a leading arbitration practitioner; in particular he was appointed Queen's Counsel (England & Wales) in February 2014.  Matthew was at Allen & Overy for 24 years before moving to practice as an independent barrister in May 2021.

Matthew has acted in a large number of complex and high profile arbitrations around the world. His experience includes arbitrations under the ICC, UNCITRAL, SIAC, HKIAC, KLRCA, SCC, LCIA and ICSID Rules. He has acted as Counsel and as Arbitrator in a large number of arbitrations involving financial disputes, including Deutsche Bank AG v. Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, ICSID Case No. ARB/09/2. Matthew acted for the Claimant in this case.  It was the first known investment treaty case to relate to a financial derivative.

As well as being a Queen’s Counsel, Matthew is a Solicitor-Advocate qualified in Hong Kong. 

Matthew is a joint editor of "Russell on Arbitration" (23rd and 24th Eds.) a leading text book on arbitration in England & Wales.

Matthew has spoken at various conferences on various aspects of arbitrating financial disputes.  He has also advised ISDA on its 2013 Arbitration Guide. 

Matthew is on the panel of arbitrators of various institutions including the HKIAC, SIAC.  He was chairperson of the HKIAC from 2017 to 2020.  He is a past Co-Chair of the LCIA Young International Arbitration Group and has recently become a member of the LCIA Court.

Matthew has been repeatedly ranked as one of the leading individuals in both Asia-Pacific and global arbitration.  For example, he is ranked in Band 1, Leading Individuals in Chambers Global, International Arbitration, 2021.

Career history

Legal qualifications

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Academic qualifications