Garey, Matthew

Matthew is the senior practitioner in AGS's Civil Regulation team in our Sydney office. He advises on competition and consumer law. He also has experience in civil penalty work more broadly, contractual and commercial dispute resolution, and dispute strategy. His experience includes being involved in liaison between governmental, industry and non-governmental interests at Commonwealth, State and Territory levels. For 2 years, he was Director of our Sydney office.

He has acted as instructing solicitor on a large number of matters brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in the Federal Court under the consumer protection provisions of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act. These proceedings have involved every aspect of trial preparation and the conduct of the litigation, as well as representing the ACCC in numerous negotiations and mediations, leading to resolution of proceedings by consent orders. In addition to regularly acting for the ACCC, Matthew also acts for a range of Commonwealth regulatory agencies.

Prior to joining AGS, Matthew was a senior associate with Minter Ellison where he was involved in a number of complex competition and consumer law matters. Prior to working with Minter Ellison, Matthew worked in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 

Recent experience

Matthew's recent experience includes:

• acting for the ACCC and the Commonwealth in proceedings in the Federal Court alleging unconscionable conduct (both individual and systemic) under the ACL by colleges providing vocational education and training (VET)
• acting for the ACCC in proceedings (up to and including the High Court) seeking pecuniary penalties and other relief against a Japanese automotive component supplier engaged in cartel conduct with one of its competitors
• acting for the ACCC in proceedings (up to and including the High Court) seeking pecuniary penalties for alleged international price fixing cartel in the land and submarine cable industry
• acting for the Australian Skills Quality Authority in numerous proceedings in the Federal Court seeking pecuniary penalties against unregistered VET providers.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws (Honours), University of Sydney, 1996

Bachelor of Economics (Honours), University of Sydney, 1994