Matthew Simson

Senior Associate

Matthew has extensive experience of energy, construction and engineering disputes gained through litigation, international arbitration and adjudication.

Download full profile

He has assisted in acting for domestic and international clients, including employers, contractors and subcontractors, in relation to disputes arising out of process plants and other large-scale infrastructure projects.

Matthew has experience of the JCT, NEC and FIDIC standard forms of contract and various bespoke contracts, in particular EPC forms of contract. Matthew’s non-contentious experience includes drafting and negotiating documentation in the form of building contracts, appointments and warranties, including placing contracts for a major entertainment company in the UK, Europe and Asia.

Specialist expertise

Examples of Matthew’s expertise include:

acting for an international EPC contractor in TCC proceedings against a state-owned corporation in a high-value dispute arising out of the termination of a bespoke EPC contract relating to the world’s largest single stream LDPE plant;
acting for an international EPC contractor in TCC proceedings and international arbitration proceedings in relation to various contractual disputes relating to the design and construction of a number of UK offshore wind farms;
acting for a UK developer in multiple disputes with a major UK main contractor in connection with a number of high-end residential developments in Central London;
acting for an international EPC contractor in connection with a liquidated damages dispute relating to the construction of a UK energy from waste plant;
acting for an international energy company in connection with various contractual disputes relating to the construction of a UK biomass plant;
acting for an international EPC contractor in connection with a high-value insurance claim and other contractual disputes relating to the construction of a combined-cycle power plant in Africa;
acting for a UK entertainment company in reviewing, amending and placing JCT contracts and pre-contract agreements in respect of multiple construction projects throughout the UK, Europe and Asia;
acting for a variety of clients in numerous payment dispute adjudications and related enforcement proceedings.

Academics

Matthew graduated from Brunel University in 2008 with a degree in Law, and in 2009 achieved a Distinction in his Masters in International Economic Law at Brunel, for which he was awarded the Sweet & Maxwell Prize for Postgraduate Law Student of Exceptional Overall Merit.

Memberships/positions

Matthew’s memberships/positions include:

member of the Society of Construction Law; and
member of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn.

Knowledge Hub

Articles and thought leadership

17 June 2026

Upper Tribunal awards compensation following complex dispute over flood defence works and historic property damage

The Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) has just issued its ruling in Roger and Suzanne Brookhouse v The Environment Agency [2026] UKUT 209 (LC), awarding Fenwick Elliott’s clients £3.3 million to reinstate their historic Grade II-listed home following damage to the grounds which was caused by increased groundwater levels arising from flood defence works.

1 min read

13 October 2022

Immediate payment obligation and entitlement to commence (or rely upon) a “true value” adjudication – clarity at last…?

Matthew Simson considers the case of AM Construction Limited v The Darul Amaan Trust and – again! – the question as to when the paying party’s immediate payment obligation arises in the context of commencing or relying upon a “true value” adjudication.

Blog

8 min read

16 May 2022

Bexheat v ESG: a paying party’s immediate payment obligation trumps its entitlement to commence or rely upon a “true value” adjudication

Matthew Simson considers the case of Bexheat Limited v Essex Services Group Limited and whether a paying party’s immediate payment obligation trumps its entitlement to commence or rely upon a “true value” adjudication.

Blog

10 min read

22 December 2021

“Smash and grab” adjudications: when can the paying party commence a “true value” adjudication?

Matt Simson looks at the question of when can the paying party commence a “true value” adjudication in circumstances where it has failed to issue the required payment and/or pay less notices.

Blog

10 min read

See all insights