Matthew Bovaird

I am a Special Counsel in the Commercial Group based in our Sydney office. I specialise in advising our clients within the technology and communications sector.

I have over 19 years of experience working in both private practice and in-house roles in Auckland, London and Sydney. Having spent 12 years in in-house roles in the broadcasting sector and in financial services, I have a unique perspective on what clients want, having been in their shoes.

Nowadays, my work is focused on competition law and in assisting our clients in navigating Australia's telecommunications regulatory regime. Both areas of the law that are extremely complementary. I have advised clients across many industries on a range of competition law issues including advice on restrictive trade practices (such as cartel conduct and exclusive dealing), merger clearance, and the telecommunications access regime. I have also assisted clients in understanding their obligations under the Australian Consumer Law including issues related to misleading and deceptive conduct and understanding the Unfair Contract terms regime.

In the telecommunications sector, I have advised clients on their obligations as both carriers and carriage service providers, lawful interception and the Security of Critical Infrastructure reforms. I have also assisted clients in preparing submissions to regulatory authorities on proposed reforms and I enjoy helping clients to communicate their practical experience to shape the regulatory landscape.

I enjoy working on multi-jurisdictional projects and the telecommunications sector really showcases Bird & Bird's international expertise in working seamlessly on such projects.

I also have a keen interest in space and satellites and have advised clients on the deployment of LEO constellations, and the ITU regulatory framework.

I have a strong commercial law background and have previously advised on a broad range of commercial contracts, carriage service agreements, data protection (including GDPR), working with telecommunications and competition regulatory authorities, and on large regulatory projects in the financial services sector.

I am pragmatic and commercially astute, and really enjoy getting involved in new and emerging technology.

Since joining Bird & Bird I have been impressed by the firm's culture, ambition and the technical expertise of my colleagues.