Matthew Vinall

Matthew Vinall is Counsel at Dentons in London, practicing in the Dispute Resolution group, specializing in energy‑related disputes. He has particular expertise in the global LNG market, including substantial price reviews and cargo claims, as well as major construction, infrastructure, and engineering disputes, mainly in the energy sector.

Matthew has significant experience operating under all the major international arbitration rules, including ICC, LCIA, and SIAC, and has been involved in hearings in several countries. Notable matters include acting for a multinational energy company in an ICC arbitration regarding two price reviews under a long‑term LNG sale and purchase agreement for deliveries into Western Europe; defending a Supermajor in a Paris ICC arbitration on a "downwards" price review for South‑Western Europe; defending a Supermajor in a London LCIA arbitration on damages claims for cancelled LNG cargoes to Japan (with a preliminary issue decision in the client's favour); and acting for a Supermajor in a Singapore ICC arbitration against a Chinese buyer for failure to take cargoes, resolved through a replacement agreement. He also advised on disputes under joint operating agreements for African oilfields, contract management and prolongation claims for a floating production vessel, and aircraft purchase agreement disputes for a leading global aircraft manufacturer. Matthew was a member of the arbitration team that successfully challenged the FA Premier League's refusal to approve the sale of Newcastle United FC to PIF, resulting in a settlement that allowed the sale to proceed.

He holds a degree from the University of Warwick (1992) and completed his legal training at The College of Law (1993). He qualified as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales in 1996 and joined Dentons as a trainee in 1994.

Matthew is recognised in The Legal 500 as "hugely experienced, very clever and with an unfussy way of expressing himself," and noted for his "unique mathematical skills" and deep knowledge of price review economics. He co‑authored a chapter for the second edition of Global Arbitration Review's textbook "The Guide to Energy Arbitration."