Matej Kosalko
Image of Matej Kosalko

Matej Kosalko

Counsel

Email

matej.kosalko@aoshearman.com

Phone

+421 2 5920 2418

Offices

Bratislava

V-CARD
Matej is a dual qualified (English and Slovak law) advocate specialising in commercial and investment treaty arbitration as well as litigation.

Matej has represented clients from various sectors in arbitration and litigation proceedings including energy, infrastructure, real estate, retail, finance, and technology and media.

Matej has represented clients in commercial and investment arbitration proceedings seated in both civil and common law jurisdictions (e.g. London or Vienna) and under ICC, LCIA, VIAC and ICSID arbitration rules.

He has extensive experience in complex construction disputes in PPP projects, and under FIDIC and other EPC forms of contracts. Matej frequently appears on behalf of the clients before adjudication boards (DABs), state courts and arbitral tribunals. He acted for contractors and employers in major construction projects in the Slovak Republic but also abroad.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • Representing Zero Bypass Limited, a project company established by Cintra, Porr and Macquarie for the D4/R7 Slovak road project, in an ongoing Vienna-seated ICC construction arbitration against the Slovak Republic, involving delay issues, scope changes and financial cash flows.
  • Representing Zero Bypass Limited in an ICC construction arbitration against the Slovak Republic. The dispute concerned a complex interplay between matters of delay, quantum and impaired financial cash flows. The tribunal awarded full extension of time and ordered the Slovak Republic to pay around EUR 40 million to the concessionaire.
  • Defending a CIS State in two separate Paris-seated ICC construction arbitrations brought by a Contractor under the FIDIC Red/Pink Book and a World Bank contract, respectively. The dispute is governed by Georgian law and concerns water supply.
  • Representing a major French construction company, providing a pre-litigation advice in a construction dispute under the ICC Rules related to the construction of a nuclear plant under FIDIC Yellow Book.
  • Representing COLAS in a dispute with Narodná diaľničná spoločnosť, a.s., the state-owned highway construction and management entity, relating to the construction of the highway project Mengusovce – Janovce under FIDIC Red Book.
  • Representing Webuild (Salini Impregilo) on Slovak law issues in a Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB) proceedings in relation to a dispute arising out of its agreement with Narodna dialnicna spolocnost, a.s. for the construction of the highway project D1 Lietavska Lucka - Visnové - Dubna Skala under FIDIC Yellow Book.

Pro bono

  • Represented individual victims of a violation of their rights of privacy and non-discrimination, as set out in the European Convention on Human Rights, in cooperation with international public interest law organization working to combat racism.

Published Work

  • “Has Slovakia become an arbitration-friendly jurisdiction?”, LEXOLOGY, 2019
  • “Act of State doctrine applies in arbitration”, co-authored with L. Raimanova, JD Supra, 2018
  • “Awards on Costs in Investment Arbitration”, speaking at Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic, 2018
  • “(In)Genuinely Foreign Investment: A Survey of Nationality Requirements in Investment Dispute”, European Investment Law and Arbitration Review, Volume 3: Issue 1, 2018 (Won EILA essay competition of 2018.)
  • “Currency Risks in Long-Term Contracts in Commercial and Investment Arbitration”, speaking at University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia, 2017

Speaking Engagements

  • Richard Dewitt Arbitration Conference, Comenius University, Bratislava, 26/04/2018
  • Riga 11th VIS Pre-Moot Conference, University of Latvia, 09/03/2017

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Advokat
  • Slovak Bar Association Solicitor of Senior Courts of England and Wales, The Law Society

Recognition

“Matej Košalko is commercially astute and consistently delivers high-quality legal advice. His deep expertise, responsiveness and practical approach make him a trusted adviser.”
Chambers and Partners Europe, 2026
“Matej Košalko has a meticulous approach and strong attention to detail.”
Chambers and Partners Europe, 2026

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2018

Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, 2017

Admitted as attorney, Slovak Bar Association, 2014

Academic

LL.M. in International Business Law, Central European University, accredited by the University of the State of New York, 2010

Diploma in Higher Education in an Introduction to English Law and the Law of the EU, University of Cambridge, 2010

Matej Bel University, Law Faculty, Slovak Republic, 2009

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.