Mr Matthew Saunders > Ashurst > London, England > Lawyer Profile

With ‘a successful track record in high-stakes arbitrations before major international bodies’, Ashurst consistently acts in significant and high-value energy sector disputes, particularly in relation to gas supply and pricing matters. The London practice is also sought out to act in construction, infrastructure, renewable energy, mining, and power sector disputes. It is additionally active in sports-related proceedings. Global international arbitration practice head Matthew Saunders focuses on oil, gas and renewables disputes, including investment treaty arbitrations. Philip Chong, former DLA Piper Europe international arbitration head, joined the team in September 2023, bringing a ‘nuanced understanding of both commercial and investment arbitration’. Dyfan Owen acts in heavyweight construction arbitrations and Emma Johnson specialises in international commercial arbitration and investment treaty disputes. The practice further showcases Africa-related energy disputes specialist Myfanwy Wood, ‘brilliant strategist’ Simon Bromwich and Tom Duncan, who specialises in construction, infrastructure and insurance disputes. Thomas Karalis is experienced in the major institutional rules and ad hoc arbitrations. Also of note are Christina Lawrence, who is ‘dedicated to the cases she works on’, and international commercial arbitration expert Elinor Thomas. The next line of experienced practitioners comprises Harsh Hari Haran, Maria Scott, Lucy McKenzie, Aimee Ward, and Joseph Harrington.

Ashurst‘s London emerging markets group provides ‘invaluable pragmatic, robust advice‘ on project development, project finance, M&A, capital markets, dispute resolution, competition and antitrust, real estate, tax and much more. Head of the Africa group Yann Alix and head of Africa project finance Matthew Wood are the lead partners. Alix recently advised on the development and financing of a large potash project in Morocco. As well as a strong flow of work in Africa, the firm is growing its presence in other emerging markets and its new India desk, co-led by Kalpana Unadkat and Shishir Mehta, formerly of Khaitan & Co LLP in Mumbai, represents a major investment. The firm also hired Sanja Udovicic from A&O Shearman in May 2023. Udovicic handles energy, natural resource, infrastructure, telecoms and media projects in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Energy and resources sector lawyer Quentin Robinson, and head of international arbitration Matthew Saunders are among many London partners handling a strong flow of emerging markets matters.