Profile
Matt Gearing KC, has been in practice in the field of international arbitration for over 25 years. He was a partner of Allen & Overy for 16 years and co-head/head of the firm’s arbitration group for 10 years. He took silk in 2014, as one of the few solicitor silks, and was called to the Bar of England & Wales in 2021.
Matt is also called to the Bar in Singapore (2024) and Western Australia (2023), as well as being a Hong Kong Solicitor-Advocate (non-practising).
He has acted as counsel in a large number of complex arbitrations around the world, both in commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, and in a variety of sectors including financial services, private equity, energy and natural resources, joint ventures and manufacturing.
Matt also sits as arbitrator across a wide range of international commercial and investor-State arbitrations.
Education
- Legal Practice Course (LPC), The College Of Law, Chester (1995)
- BA (Hons), Jurisprudence, Oxford University (1993)
Career Overview
- Barrister, Duxton Hill Chambers, Singapore (2025)
- Arbitrator Member, Temple Chambers, Hong Kong (2023)
- Door tenant, Quayside Chambers, Perth (2022)
- Barrister, Fountain Court Chambers (2021-2024)
- Head/Co-Head of International Arbitration, Allen & Overy (2007-2020)
- Partner, Allen & Overy, London and Hong Kong (2005-2021)
- Associate Solicitor, Allen & Overy, London and Hong Kong (1997-2005)
- Trainee Solicitor, Slaughter & May, London (1995-1997)
International Bar / Court Appointments
- Called to the Bar of Singapore (2024)
- Called to the Bar of Western Australia (2023)
- Panel member HKIAC, SIAC and various other arbitral institutions
- Prime Finance’s panel of Dispute Resolution experts
- Vice President, Court, London Court of International Arbitration (2022-current)
- Chairperson of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (2017-2020) (Also – Council Member (2008-2020); Chair, Rules Committee, 2013 Rules revision process; Chair, Proceedings Committee, 2012-2017)
- Queen’s Counsel, England & Wales (2014)
- Solicitor-advocate, Hong Kong (2013)
- Past Co-Chair of the LCIA Young International Arbitration Group (2005-2009)
- Solicitor-advocate, England & Wales (2005)
- Solicitor, Hong Kong (2001)
- Solicitor, England & Wales (1997)