matthew vesper

practice areas

• Common Law

• Military Law

• Inquests and Commissions or Inquiry

• Commercial Law

• Administrative Law

Overview

Matthew Vesper was called to the bar in 1996 and has practiced since in the areas of insurance, personal injury, commercial and administrative law. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Sydney and a Diploma of Legal Practice from the University of Technology, Sydney.

Matthew’s common law practice includes acting for both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial disputes and liability claims, such as cases involving victims of institutional abuse, medical negligence matters, Dust Diseases matters, and disability claims under policies of insurance.

Matthew has appeared in numerous complex and lengthy inquiries, including from 2016 to 2020 as lead counsel in the Afghanistan ‘War Crimes’ Inquiry, assisting Justice Paul Brereton. These inquiries have involved the exercise of compulsory questioning powers, advising on the manner of form of procedural fairness and drafting lengthy reports. 

Matthew has served on various committees of the NSW Bar Association, including the Professional Conduct Committee and the Costs and Fees Committee. He is also the Panel Leader for the Fleet Legal Support Panel within the Royal Australian Navy.

selected cases

Inquests and Commissions of Inquiry

Inquiry into October 2021 RAN Seahawk Crash, 2022 (Head of Inquiry)

Afghanistan ‘War Crimes’ Inquiry, 2016-2020 (Lead counsel assisting Justice Paul Brereton)

Coronial Inquest into the Death of Chayce Kelly, 2015 (acting for Gosford City Council)

Common Law

McDemott v Iovanescu [2004] NSWCA 106 (Led by Deakin QC)

Siljeg v Multiplex Constructions Pty Limited & Ors [2004] NSWCA 193 (27 July 2004)

Bailey v Meredith [2001] NSWCA 149 (Let by Hislop QC)

Roberts v White (1999) 29 MVR 33

Brown v Central Coast Council