Matt Dudley

Partner - Commercial Litigation

"I specialise in giving strategic advice to individuals and businesses on how they can avoid, resolve and minimise the impact of commercial disputes as efficiently as possible.”

I specialise in all aspects of commercial dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration, negotiation, mediation and expert determination.

I am experienced in prosecuting and defending claims, applications for interim measures (e.g. security for costs) and applications for urgent injunctive relief.

I handle a wide range of commercial disputes across a broad range of industry sectors. I have particular expertise in claims relating to the recruitment sector, notably those relating to post-termination restrictions, confidentiality and introduction fees.

I regularly deal with claims for breach of contract, shareholder and boardroom disputes, reputation management (e.g. defamation), claims relating to employee competition (e.g. restrictive covenants, breach of confidence and ‘team moves’) and claims arising out of corporate transactions (e.g. warranty claims, earn-out disputes and completion accounts disputes).

The majority of my time is spent providing clients with clear, results-focused, strategic advice on how to avoid disputes crystallising. When disputes do materialise, I take the time to understand my clients' commercial objectives, and develop tailored strategies to achieve these objectives in the most efficient manner using the various tools available.

I am the firm’s Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP).

  • Acted for a national recruitment business in a ‘team move’ case involving the movement of ten employees to a competitor, securing the successful enforcement of post-termination restrictions and payment of costs as part of a negotiated settlement.
  • Acted for multiple parties in long-running High Court litigation involving claims for breach of warranty and fraudulent misrepresentation arising out of a corporate acquisition, with the case settling on favourable terms in the lead up to a fifteen day trial.
  • Acted for a leading logistics business in dealing with a commercial dispute over corporate finance services regarding an abortive transaction, which settled on terms favourable to the client.
  • Acted for the sellers of a large tyre business in defending Commercial Court litigation involving claims for breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation, which settled at mediation on favourable terms.
  • Acted for various businesses and individuals regarding the enforcement of restrictive covenants in employment contracts, shareholders’ agreements and SPAs.
  • Acted for a national housebuilder in High Court litigation regarding the defence of a claim for breach on an option agreement relating to a development site, successfully securing the striking out of the claim.
  • Acted for a shareholder in High Court litigation regarding a dispute over the beneficial ownership of his shares.
  • Advised various parties regarding disputes over earn-outs and completion accounts arising out of corporate transactions.
  • Acted in High Court litigation for an individual and company sued for defamation, which settled on terms favourable to the clients following the successful obtaining of an order for security for costs against one of the claimants.

More about me

Proudest moment

Birth of my daughters

Favourite quote

“Well done is better than well said”

Favourite film

Top Gun

Interests

Football, golf and travel

"Matt Dudley is experienced, sensible and outcomes focused"

Legal 500

“Interviewees describe Matt Dudley as "very knowledgeable in his field," adding that he "makes you feel at ease and can explain things to you in layman's terms."

Chambers and Partners

“The ‘highly respected’ Matt Dudley is another key partner – he is praised for his ‘expert and consultative approach’.”

Legal 500

Meet the team