SILK PROFILE
Duncan Matthews KC

Duncan Matthews KC

UK Bar 2026

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Ranked in 7 practice areas

About

Provided by Twenty Essex

Practice Areas

Duncan is a leading trial advocate with a broad practice in international and domestic commercial dispute resolution. He helps clients in English higher court proceedings and overseas. He is also a registered foreign lawyer with the Singapore International Commercial Court. Duncan accepts arbitral appointments and has been appointed sole arbitrator and as chairman of three-member tribunals.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Energy & Natural Resources - London (Bar)

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Duncan Matthews KC is a highly experienced practitioner in the energy sector, with a focus on international disputes across the full range of upstream, midstream and downstream oil work. His practice covers large-scale, high-profile litigation and arbitration, and he regularly tackles cases with civil fraud aspects, as well as highly technical considerations. He has specific expertise in relation to disputes concerning onshore and offshore oil and gas drilling, as well as the carriage of goods and commodities in the energy sector.

Shipping & Commodities - London (Bar)

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Duncan Matthews KC has an established reputation as a leading silk at the shipping and commodities Bar. His busy practice incorporates a swathe of issues including dry bulk and tanker charter party disputes, the arrest of ships, contracts of affreightment, cargo claims and civil fraud.

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance - London (Bar)

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Duncan Matthews KC is viewed by the market as a heavyweight courtroom advocate. He provides robust international arbitration representation in disputes across a broad spectrum of industries. He regularly handles energy, technology and shipping disputes, among others. He is well versed in matters under UNCITRAL and LMAA rules and has acted in ad hoc arbitrations. He also has expertise in anti-suit injunctions in support of arbitration proceedings.

International Arbitration: Arbitrators - London (Bar)

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Duncan Matthews KC possesses longstanding experience in international arbitrations and has expertise in a broad spectrum of sectors including telecommunications, technology and construction. He accepts appointments under leading arbitral institutions such as the LCIA and ICC and takes part in complex ad hoc arbitrations.

Banking & Finance - London (Bar)

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

Duncan Matthews KC is a skilled advocate with great expertise in handling a range of commercial banking disputes. He is regularly engaged by clients to assist with both domestic and multi-jurisdictional litigation relating to civil fraud.

Fraud: Civil - London (Bar)

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

Duncan Matthews KC is an ideal counsel for international fraud disputes and has extensive experience handling matters both at home and in offshore jurisdictions such as the BVI and Nevis. He has significant expertise relating to injunctive relief.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Duncan is top of the market in terms of ability to grab and lead the most complex disputes and to deliver outstanding results for his client.

    Energy & Natural ResourcesUK Bar
  • Duncan is very much in the top five. We consistently turn to him on really difficult cases. He is an absolute go-to.

    Shipping & CommoditiesUK Bar
  • One of the best in London.

    International Arbitration: General Commercial & InsuranceUK Bar
  • A genuine leader in the field, both as counsel and arbitrator.

    International Arbitration: General Commercial & InsuranceUK Bar
  • Duncan Matthews is thorough in his analysis and sophisticated.

    International Arbitration: ArbitratorsUK Bar
  • Duncan is a very good lawyer and a hardworking arbitrator.

    International Arbitration: ArbitratorsUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Twenty Essex (147)

All Circuits

London (Bar)

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