About Matthew
With over 20 years' legal experience, Matthew has a particular focus on insurance advisory, dispute resolution and transport and maritime-related matters.
As the co-leader of Thynne + Macartney's Maritime + Transport group, clients rely on Matthew for advice on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, including all aspects of P&I correspondent work, insurance coverage and claims, regulatory investigations and commercial transport operations.
He has significant experience in transport and maritime-related matters, including marine casualties (collisions, groundings, salvage, wreck removal and pollution incidents), personal injury and fatality claims, carriage of goods and carrier's liability, property damage, professional and product liability, ship sale and repair, workplace health and safety issues, statutory prosecutions and inquests.
Matthew regularly presents to insurers, vessel operators and crew in relation to regulatory investigations, marine regulations, managing vessel incidents and risk management.
He ranked in the 2023 edition of Chambers Asia-Pacific, with the legal directory stating that, "Matthew Hockaday is based in Queensland and is an experienced litigator in shipping-related disputes, particularly those concerning marine casualty incidents. He has further capabilities in clean-up and environmental responses as well as compensation claims
"He’s a very knowledgeable lawyer who knows his way around the area very nicely."
Awards & Recognition
Best Lawyers Australia
- Insurance (2018 - 2025)
- Shipping & Maritime (2018 - 2025)
- Lawyer of the Year for Shipping & Maritime (2022 & 2025)
- Transportation (2018 - 2025)
Chambers Asia-Pacific
- Shipping
Doyle’s Guide Australia
- Admiralty, Shipping & Maritime (Recommended 2018, 2020-2024), (Leading 2019)
Who’s Who Legal
- Shipping
Qualifications
- Admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of Queensland in January 2003
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours) - University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Business Management - University of Queensland
Memberships & Appointments
- Queensland Law Society
- Maritime Law Association of Australia & New Zealand (MLAANZ)
- Current Chair of the QLD Branch