Mathew Shelley
Mathew is an experienced litigator with a broad commercial practice, specialising in construction and infrastructure disputes.
Mathew is an experienced litigator with a broad commercial disputes practice, including construction and infrastructure disputes.
Mathew advises principals, contractors, lenders, consultants and governments across the mining and energy, transportation, major infrastructure, and civil construction sectors. He advises on all aspects of project delivery, claims management and dispute resolution, including technical matters involving expert opinion.
Mathew has acted in proceedings in the Supreme Courts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, and the Federal Court of Australia. He has acted in domestic and international arbitral proceedings, bespoke private dispute resolution processes, and security of payment adjudications.
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.
Sectors
