Matthew Gale

Senior Associate, Wellington

Contact

+64 4 915 6881 +64 22 071 5855 matthew.gale@bellgully.com

Expertise

Matthew is an experienced litigator with a proven track record across a wide range of commercial disputes, public and regulatory matters.

Matthew is a senior associate in Bell Gully's industry-leading litigation team. Matthew advises clients on a broad range of contentious matters and disputes including commercial and contractual disputes, arbitration, injunctions, regulatory investigations and public commissions of inquiry.

Prior to joining Bell Gully, Matthew spent several years at leading London commercial disputes firm Cooke, Young & Keidan where he was a senior associate. He brings with him a wealth of experience in managing complex and large-scale international litigation and arbitrations.

Matthew has a Master of Laws from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and, before working overseas, began his legal career as a Judge's Clerk at the High Court of New Zealand and working in an Auckland specialist litigation firm.

Qualifications

LLM (Distinction) University of Pennsylvania Law School

LLB (First Class Honours), BA University of Otago

2011 Admitted New Zealand

Professional experience

2016-2019 Cooke, Young & Keidan LLP London, UK

^{NZ Lawyer 2023 and 2024 'Rising star'.}

Commercial and contractual disputes

Acting for and advising various clients on commercial disputes, including construction contract disputes, claims in contract, tort and under the Fair Trading Act.

Competition issues

Acting for and advising private and public sector clients in respect of competition issues, including acting for private sector clients in relation to Commerce Commission investigations and leniency applications under the Commerce Act.

Urgent injunctive relief

Experience in seeking urgent relief from the Courts, including freezing orders, search and seizure orders and passport orders.

Regulatory advice

Advising clients on a range of regulatory matters including in relation to trade remedy investigations initiated by MBIE.

International arbitration

Extensive international experience acting in ICC and LCIA arbitration proceedings and related domestic enforcement proceedings.

Fraud and Scams Update: Banks commit to new protections – and reimbursement - for scam victims

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015: proposed reform

CCCFA & COFI update: major reforms offer simplification (and a few new challenges)

Fraud and scams update: English Court rules on banks’ duties to non-customers

CBL judgment – CFO found liable as an accessory for continuous disclosure breaches

High Court overturns Whakaari Management Ltd conviction and addresses scope of key legislative provision

24 February 2025

De-banking restrictions back on the table?

19 February 2025

Patenting the Poké Ball – could it happen here?

13 February 2025

Employment and workplace health and safety law in 2025: the only constant is change

10 February 2025

Defamation and Racial Vilification in Sports: Analysis of Thurston v Fox Sports Australia Pty Limited [2025] FCA 54