Matt is a Partner within our Commercial Disputes team, helping clients resolve complex disputes throughout the UK and internationally.
He advises clients on a range of corporate, commercial and reputational matters, with particular experience in shareholder disputes, breach of contract claims, the protection of confidential information and intellectual property disputes. Matt frequently represents clients in high-value and high-profile disputes, helping them to find practical ways to manage risk.
Matt also leads our Sport, Entertainment and Media group, and acts for a range of sports governing bodies, leagues and athletes.
Qualified in Scotland, England & Wales, and Ireland.
- Advising the majority shareholder of a UK-based financial institution in relation to an application for interim interdict and an unfair prejudice petition brought by the minority shareholders of the company. Supporting the client through the court process and negotiating a settlement agreement with the parties.
- Acting for a global drinks manufacturer in relation to a dispute arising from a supplier's breach of a distribution and warehousing services agreement. This included preparation of a detailed opinion on the terms of the contract, engaging with solicitors for the defendant in pre-litigation correspondence, and assisting with the settlement of the dispute at mediation.
- Advising the liquidator of an investment fund in a series of multimillion-pound claims brought simultaneously in four different jurisdictions. The claims arose from a fraud perpetrated by the former directors of the fund. The liquidator claimed negligence, breach of trust and dishonest assistance against various professionals and related parties.
- Helping clients to protect their trade secrets and confidential information. This can include obtaining court orders against competitors or former employees to prevent further harm being caused, recovering evidence of wrongdoing with the support of forensic IT experts, and support during 'dawn raids' under section 1 of the Administration of Justice (Scotland) Act 1972.
- Advising individuals, businesses and academic institutions who are either alleged to have made defamatory statements, or are the subject of them. Including online, in print, in academic articles or commentary in the press.
- Acting for the purchaser of a well-known distillery in relation to warranty and indemnity claims against the sellers of the business, and claims against the former directors for breaches of their duties, resulting in a substantial financial settlement for the purchaser at mediation.
- Defending a client against a series of claims made by data subjects following a breach of the GDPR. Advising in relation to pre-action correspondence, advising on the prospects of success and estimated damages given the nature of the breach, and managing settlement of the claims in a way that minimised overall cost to the client.
- Acting for the European Competitive Telecommunications Association as intervener before the Court of Justice of the EU in an appeal by Orange Polska against a decision of the European Commission to impose a €127m fine for abusing its dominant position in Poland's wholesale broadband market.
- Advising a UK company on the terms of a master services agreement and subsequent statements of work for provision of IT services to a Norwegian company. Raising proceedings on behalf of the company in the High Court in London for breach of contract.
- Advising sports international federations, national governing bodies and leagues in relation to a range of governance and disciplinary matters, including enforcing their rules against their member clubs and athletes, advising them in relation to claims made against them, supporting strategic governance reviews, and revising rules and procedures to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
- Acting on behalf of a major international sportswear manufacturer in relation to infringement of their intellectual property, a domain name dispute and enforcing the judgment in the United States. Dealing with the enforcement of the Court order on a US domain name registrar to have the domain transferred to our client.
- Helping international sporting organisations to stage and host events, including protection of their commercial rights and designing and implementing IP enforcement programmes. Managing issues with broadcasters, sponsors and suppliers in the run up to the events.
- Providing guidance to governing bodies and athletes in relation to anti-doping compliance, and helping them to manage their engagement with WADA and national anti-doping organisations.
