Mathew Shelley

Partner

Brisbane, Australia

Mathew is an experienced litigator with a broad commercial practice. He advises corporates, financiers, and governments on complex commercial disputes, with a particular focus on the energy, mining, transport, infrastructure, and property sectors.

His practice encompasses all aspects of dispute resolution, from project delivery and strategic claims management, through to litigation and arbitration proceedings. Mathew has acted in proceedings before the Supreme Courts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and in the Federal Court of Australia. He has acted in domestic Australian arbitration proceedings, and in international arbitrations under the rules of most major institutions.

Background

Mathew holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, awarded by Griffith University in 2008.

Prior to joining Herbert Smith Freehills in 2010, Mathew was Associate to Justice Peter McClellan in the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

Market Recognition

Mathew has been recognised by Doyle’s Guide in the following categories;

2020: “Rising Stars – Construction & Infrastructure – Australia"
2020: “Rising Stars – Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Insolvency – Australia”
2019: “Rising Stars – Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Insolvency – Australia”
2018: “Rising Stars – Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Insolvency – Australia”

Experience & expertise

Selected matters

Acting in proceedings for urgent injunctive relief to restrain recourse to bank guarantees on construction projects in Australia
Acting for a range of contractors, principals and lenders in connection with construction issues arising on various renewable energy projects in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria
Acting in proceedings seeking judicial review of administrative decisions made in connection with the grant of mining leases for a major coal mine project in Queensland
Acting for an Australian mining company in CIETAC arbitration proceedings seated in Beijing, in relation to a dispute arising from a contract for the supply of mobile fleet to a mine in Queensland
Assisting a Tier 1 construction contractor to resolve issues arising from use of aluminium composite panels throughout on projects in Australia, including the management of upstream and downstream contractual disputes and engagement with regulatory authorities and insurers
Advising a D&C JV in relation to complex delay, disruption and defect claims arising from a major rail infrastructure PPP in New South Wales
Advising a Tier 1 construction contractor in relation to complex upstream and downstream contractual disputes relating to a major road infrastructure project in Brisbane, including in relation to claims associated with potentially defective design.