Anthony has appeared for banks and other financial institutions in relation to diverse issues including in relation to the enforcement of security interests, financial instruments and banker/customer disputes.
In 2016, Anthony was appointed as a Mediator and Arbitrator of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (football and general lists). He has served the CAS with distinction in various procedures since that time as both the President of Panels and as co-arbitrator.
In 2018, he served on CAS Ad Hoc Panels for the Asian Games in Jakarta and the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane. He again served on the CAS Ad Hoc Panel on the occasion of the Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2022.
In 2019, Anthony was appointed to the International Panel of Sport Resolutions (UK).
In 2019, Anthony was also appointed as a member of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) International Panel for the Davis Cup and in 2020 to the same panel for the Fed Cup.
In 2020, he was appointed as Chair of an ITF Independent Tribunal Panel to determine a dispute between the ITF and a Member National Federation.
He was formerly on the panel of The Football Association (FA) UK and chaired three Regulatory Commission hearings for the FA, each of which concerned alleged breaches by participants of The FA Rules including the Association’s safeguarding regulations.
Anthony has been a member of the Football Australia (FA) Appeals Committee and Disciplinary and Ethics Committee since 2008.
He was appointed Co-Chair of the FA Disciplinary and Ethics Committee in 2022. In that capacity, he has chaired panels which have determined disciplinary issues arising from incidents involving players and coaches of international repute competing in the A-League, Australia’s Premier National football league.
As Chair of the Football NSW (FNSW) Appeals Tribunal since 2012, Anthony has chaired panels which have determined appeals involving both disciplinary and non-disciplinary disputes that have arisen between FNSW, Members of FNSW, Clubs and Players.
Anthony has been the acting Racing Appeals Tribunal of New South Wales since 2019 in which capacity he has determined appeals heard on a de novo basis from first instance decisions in the thoroughbred, harness racing and greyhound racing industries.
He is one of the inaugural members of the National Sports Tribunal (Australia).
Anthony has also been selected to serve on other sports tribunals including for Surf Life Saving Australia and Australian Sailing.
In July 2022 Anthony was also admitted to the Federation Court for the Commonwealth Games, Birmingham UK 2022.
Anthony has almost 40 years’ experience appearing in a myriad of commercial disputes ranging from high-value banking, sale of goods, corporate insolvency, shareholder issues, property and financial markets and regulatory matters to representing the interests of directors in relation to breach of duties and insolvent trading claims. He has also advised and appeared in relation to merger-related disputes.
Anthony has advised and appeared for insurers and reinsurers in relation to indemnity issues, and professional indemnity claims (including advising and appearing in defence of surveyors, architects, valuers, brokers, town planners, builders and lawyers) and product liability claims.
Anthony is a highly regarded and sought-after mediator. He is particularly adept at manoeuvring the intricacies of complex multi-party disputes to focus on the real issues in dispute with a view to facilitating resolution.
In January 2016, Anthony was appointed by the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS) as a mediator of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and in February 2019 he was appointed to the mediation panel of Sport Resolutions (UK).
As part of his ongoing commitment to excellence in mediation, in 2017 Anthony attained certification as a mediator by the International Mediation Institute and the Singapore International Mediation Institute and in doing so joins a select number of mediators in Australia to achieve that qualification and the only Silk.
In June 2021, Anthony was appointed by the Government of the Northern Territory of Australia to an inaugural panel of mediators under the Petroleum Regulations, 2020.
In recognition of his experience in mediation, in July 2021 Anthony was accredited as a mediator by the Mediator Accrediting Council of Papua New Guinea. He has also been accredited as a coach and instructor of advanced mediation training in Papua New Guinea.
He has been ranked by Doyle’s’ Guide to the Australian Legal Profession as a leading mediator in NSW for an 8th consecutive year.
Anthony is also a member of the mediation panels of the AIAC, the ADGM and ACICA and on the Resolution Institute Panel of Advanced Mediators.
“Our confidence in Mr Lo Surdo proved to be well placed. Whilst the matter did not settle at mediation on the day, it settled shortly after. In my opinion the settlement of the dispute (which had been the subject of 2 previous rounds of difficult negotiations) occurred in consequence of Mr Lo Surdo’s assistance as Mediator." (Partner of a National Law Firm).
“This was a tough mediation. There were so many obstacles to settlement so the fact that the parties achieved a resolution is a credit to Anthony.” (Partner of a National Firm).
"It was a pleasure working with a mediator who had obviously read the brief, was thoroughly prepared and was willing to engage with the issues." (A NSW Silk)
"Ability to quickly determine and articulate the issues in contention allowing parties considerable time to focus on achieving outcome...an experienced commercial negotiator who was able to challenge both parties in their thinking on their respective positions." (Head of Legal, National Charity)
“Text book mediation! I really appreciate the balanced way you approached it. Hopefully we’ll get to work together again one day.” (Head of Legal, Foreign Exchange Dealer)
"The mediator quickly identified the real issues in the Proceedings, informed all parties of the appropriate litigation risk that existed and assisted in negotiating an agreeable settlement for all parties involved." (Partner of a National Firm)
"It was a difficult case. I thought settlement was unlikely. It was a long day, but through Mr Lo Surdo’s perseverance and good advice, it settled. It helped that he was not shy in offering his opinion." (Junior Counsel, NSW Bar)
"...thanks to you for your excellent management of a complex and sometimes fractured day. I look forward to the next time you get to mediate one of my matters!" Senior junior barrister, NSW Bar
"Thank you very much...for your patient and skilful guiding of the matter to a resolution." Senior counsel, NSW Bar
"...I have a high opinion of the way you conducted the mediation. It was exemplary. The savings to the parties and the public purse must be immense." Senior junior barrister, NSW Bar
"Thanks for all your work today. It was a real pleasure to have a mediator who didn’t give up and assisted the parties seeing the real issues." Senior junior barrister, NSW Bar
Anthony formed part of an arbitral panel concerning a high dollar value international media rights dispute.
As Arbitrator
- July 2025, appointed as sole arbitrator in a property dispute involving a claim for an abatement of the purchase price of a shopping centre
- May 2025, party appointed co-arbitrator in an ACICA administered commercial dispute
- March 2024, party appointed co-arbitrator in a Resolution Institute administered commercial dispute
- February 2024, appointed as sole arbitrator in a dispute concerning the lease of industrial premises
- October 2022, appointed as sole arbitrator in a property dispute involving a claim for an abatement of the purchase price of land
- March 2022, appointed as sole arbitrator in an Australian domestic commercial arbitration involving a dispute between joint venture partners
- July 2020, party appointed co-arbitrator in a commercial dispute
- May 2020, appointed as sole arbitrator in a commercial dispute
- April 2020, appointed as sole arbitrator in a domestic commercial dispute
- October 2019, appointed President of a panel in a commercial dispute
- August 2019, appointed President of a panel in a good governance appeal
- June 2019, appointed as the sole arbitrator by parties in a disciplinary matter
- February 2019, party-appointed co-arbitrator in a commercial dispute
- December 2018, appointed President in a disciplinary appeal
- September 2018, appointed as sole arbitrator in a commercial dispute
Sports-Related Arbitral Appointments
- Co-arbitrator in a player agent appeal, July 2025
- Co-arbitrator in a player agent appeal, October 2024
- Sole Arbitrator, Member Protection, October 2024
- Co-arbitrator in disciplinary/corruption/match fixing appeal, September 2024
- Sole Arbitrator in a commercial/employment dispute, May 2024
- Sole Arbitrator in a transfer fee/sporting sanctions dispute, May 2024
- Sole Arbitrator, National Sports Tribunal, disciplinary appeal, March 2024
- Co-arbitrator in a commercial/employment dispute, October 2023
- Sole Arbitrator in a commercial/employment dispute, August 2023
- Co-arbitrator in a doping appeal, August 2023
- Co-arbitrator, Basketball Australia, disciplinary appeal, June 2023
- Co-arbitrator in a match-fixing appeal, January 2023
- Chair of a Football Australia Dispute Resolution Chamber Panel concerning a commercial/employment-related dispute, May 2022
- Co-Arbitrator in a CAS arbitration concerning a commercial/employment-related dispute originating in South East Asia, April 2022
- Sole Arbitrator in a CAS arbitration concerning a commercial/employment-related dispute originating in South East Asia, March 2022
- Chair of a National Sports Tribunal (Australia) panel concerning member protection issues, November 2021
- President of a CAS panel in a commercial/employment-related dispute originating in the Middle East, November 2021
- Chair, Football Australia in an arbitral proceeding concerning a contractual claim by an international footballer, September 2021
- Co-arbitrator, Australian Sailing Independent Tribunal (Member Protection), July 2021
- Co-Arbitrator of an independent panel established by Australian Sailing concerning code of conduct issues, March 2021
- Party appointment (commercial dispute), June 2020
- Sole arbitrator (commercial dispute), May 2020
- Chair, NSW Surf Life Saving Judiciary Committee (Member Protection), April 2020
- Presidential appointment (commercial dispute), October 2019
- Sole arbitrator (eligibility appeal), September 2019
- Ad hoc panel for the FIBA World Cup, September 2019
- President, Appeal Panel (good governance appeal), August 2019
- Sole arbitrator (disciplinary appeal), June 2019
- Party appointment (commercial dispute), June 2019
- Party appointment (commercial dispute), February 2019
- President, CAS Appeal Panel (disciplinary appeal), January 2018
- Ad hoc panel for the Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast, Australia, April 2018
- Sole arbitrator (appeal from a determination of a single judge of the FIFA Players’ Status Committee), May 2018
- Ad hoc panel for the Asian Games, Jakarta, Indonesia, August/September 2018; President, Appeal Panel (eligibility appeal)
- President, CAS Appeal Panel (disciplinary appeal), November 2018
ITF Independent Tribunal
- Member, ITF Independent Tribunal, Davis Cup Finals Series, November 2019
- Chair, ITF Independent Tribunal (good governance dispute), February 2020.
FA Arbitral Appointments
- Panel Member, FA Disciplinary & Ethics Committee (DC), (disciplinary), December 2010.
- Panel Member, FA DC (disciplinary), January 2011.
- Panel Member, FA DC (disciplinary), December 2011.
- Chair, FA Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) (commercial), December 2012.
- Panel Member, FA DC (disciplinary), November 2013.
- Panel Member, FA DC (disciplinary), August 2014.
- Panel Member, FA DC (disciplinary), March 2015.
- Panel Member, FA DC (disciplinary), February 2016.
- Panel Member, FA Appeals Committee (AC) (disciplinary), May 2016.
- Panel Member, FA DC (disciplinary), February 2017.
- Chair, FA DC (disciplinary), February 2017.
- Panel Member, FA DRC (commercial), June 2017.
- Panel Member, FA DC (disciplinary), December 2017.
- Panel Member, FA DC (disciplinary), March 2019.
- Chair, FA DC (disciplinary), January 2020.
- Panel Member, FA DC (disciplinary), June 2020.
- Deputy Chair, FA DC (disciplinary), April, 2021.
- Chair, FA DC (disciplinary), May 2021.
- Deputy Chair, FA DC (disciplinary), May 2021.
- Co-chair, FA DC (disciplinary), June 2021.
- Co-arbitrator, FA AC (Disciplinary), August 2021.
- Co-chair, FA DC (disciplinary), April 2022.
- Co-arbitrator, FA DC (disciplinary), May 2022.
- Chair, FA DC (Disciplinary), October 2022.
- Chair, FA DC (Disciplinary), January 2023.
- Chair, FA DC (Disciplinary), February 2023.
- Chair, FA DC (Disciplinary), April 2023.
- Chair, FA DC (Disciplinary), April 2023.
- Chair, FA DC (Disciplinary), February 2024.
- Chair, FA DC (Disciplinary), April 2024.
- Chair, FA DC (Disciplinary), April 2024.
- Chair, FA DC (Disciplinary), April 2024.
- Chair, FA DC (Disciplinary), May 2025.
- Chair, FA DC (Disciplinary), October 2025.
Football NSW Appeals Tribunal Arbitral Appointments
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), September 2012.
- Chair, (eligibility appeal), November 2012.
- Chair, (eligibility appeal), November 2012.
- Chair, (eligibility appeal), November 2012.
- Chair, (eligibility appeal), November 2012.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), August 2013.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), September 2014.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), December 2014.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), March 2015.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), May 2015.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), August 2015.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), December 2015.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), January 2016.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), February 2016.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), June 2016.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), July 2016.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), August 2016.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), October 2016.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), July 2017.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), August 2017.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), September 2017.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), November 2017.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), May 2018.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), October 2018.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), February 2020.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), May 2020.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), April 2021.
- Chair, (disciplinary appeal), May 2021.
- Chair (Disciplinary Appeal), February 2023.
- Chair (Disciplinary Appeal), January 2025.
- Chair (Disciplinary Appeal), July 2025.
Racing Appeals Tribunal
- Sole arbitrator, harness racing appeal (stay application), June 2019.
- Sole arbitrator, harness racing (leave to withdraw appeal), June 2019.
- Sole arbitrator, harness racing (stay application), June 2019.
- Sole arbitrator, harness racing (hearing de novo, breach rules of racing/sanction), July 2019.
- Sole arbitrator, thoroughbred racing (application to extend time to appeal), September 2019.
- Sole arbitrator, thoroughbred racing (hearing de novo, breach rules of racing/sanction), December 2019.
- Sole arbitrator, harness racing (leave to withdraw appeal), January 2021.
- Sole arbitrator, thoroughbred racing (hearing de novo, breach of rules of racing/sanction – conduct alleged to be prejudicial to the image, interests and integrity of racing), March 2021.
- Sole Arbitrator, harness racing (animal welfare), July 2021
- Sole Arbitrator, harness racing (disciplinary), August 2021
- Sole Arbitrator, (disciplinary) September 2021
- Sole arbitrator, (disciplinary), March 2022
- Sole arbitrator, greyhound racing (severity appeal), June 2023
- Sole arbitrator, greyhound racing (severity appeal), June 2023
- Sole arbitrator, greyhound racing (severity appeal), June 2023
- Sole arbitrator, greyhound racing (disciplinary appeal), August 2023
- Sole arbitrator, greyhound racing (disciplinary appeal), October 2023
- Sole arbitrator, greyhound racing (disciplinary appeal), October 2023
- Sole arbitrator, greyhound racing (disciplinary appeal), October 2023
- Sole arbitrator, greyhound racing (disciplinary appeal), October 2023
- Sole arbitrator, greyhound racing (disciplinary appeal), October 2023
- Sole arbitrator, greyhound racing (disciplinary appeal), October 2023
- Sole arbitrator, greyhound racing (disciplinary appeal), October 2023
- Sole arbitrator, greyhound racing (disciplinary appeal), November 2023
- Sole arbitrator, greyhound racing (disciplinary appeal), November 2023
- Sole arbitrator, harness racing (disciplinary appeal), November 2023
As a Court-Appointed Referee
Anthony has been appointed by the Supreme Court of New South Wales to act as referee in proceedings including the taking of accounts and determination of ownership of assets following the dissolution of partnerships and the assessment of damages in class action proceedings.
As Counsel
Anthony has advised and/or has appeared for:
- Appeared at the Supreme Court of the NT for a solicitor appealing against a decision of the Law Society of the NT to cancel her practising certificate
- Appearing for two prominent national and international building companies in proceedings brought in the Federal Court of Australia by liquidators which include claims for the recovery of in excess of $A30 million. The liability aspect of the proceedings was heard in April 2022
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission in relation to breaches of continuous disclosure provisions, breaches of market manipulation requirements, misleading and deceptive conduct and unconscionable conduct, and disciplinary proceeding involving insolvency practitioners
- Banks and other financial institutions in relation to the enforcement of security interests and banker/customer disputes
- Creditors of insolvent companies and individuals
- Directors in relation to breach of directors’ duties and insolvent trading claims
- Insolvency administrators (voluntary administrators, receivers, trustees in bankruptcy and liquidators)
- Insurers in relation to indemnity issues generally, professional indemnity (including advising and appearing in defence of surveyors, architects, valuers, brokers, town planners, builders and lawyers) and product liability
- Lessors (including major shopping centre proprietors) and lessees in relation to disputes which have arisen between them (including proceedings for possession and for relief against forfeiture).
- Vendors and purchasers of land, builders and developers.
- Corporations and individuals in relation to contractual disputes (including share sale agreements and agreements for the sale of interests in other personal property).
- Professional Sportspersons, Clubs and Associations including for Triathlon Australia in 2012 in an arbitration hearing which concerned an appeal by World Champion Emma Snowsill against her non-inclusion in the Australian Olympic Team, for athletes charged with breaches of the world anti-doping regulations and for Kurtley Beale in a code of conduct hearing brought by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) in the ARU Code of Conduct Tribunal.
As Mediator
Anthony is accredited as an advanced mediator by Resolution Institute (formerly LEADR). He is also accredited the New South Wales Bar Association under the National Mediator Accreditation System Standards (NMAS).
He is ranked by “Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession” as a leading mediator in New South Wales, 2018-2025.
Anthony has acted as mediator in a vast array of matters since he was first accredited over 32 years ago. He has mediated hundreds of complex disputes and uses his experience as both Senior Counsel and as a mediator to quickly identify the issues and to gain an understanding of the position of each party in the mediation to assist in facilitating a fair and efficient resolution to a dispute.
Anthony’s work as a mediator includes:
- Banking disputes
- Contractual disputes
- Claims arising from the sales of goods
- Corporations law disputes including claims arising from insolvency
- Partnership disputes
- Franchise disputes
- Disputes between joint venturers
- Disputes between lenders and valuers involving allegations of negligent property valuation
- Medical negligence
- Claims for compensation by victims of institutional abuse
- Claims involving the negligence of lawyers
- Claims involving the negligence of town planners
- Claims involving the negligence of accountants
- Claims against investment advisors including financial planners
- Claims against directors and officers
- Employment disputes
- Claims involving restraints of trade
- Claims involving damages for personal injury
- Shareholder disputes
- Succession claims
- Planning disputes
- Building and construction claims
- Property disputes
- Sports disputes
- Claims for compensation arising from historic institutional sexual abuse
- Disputes between petroleum companies and landholder under the Petroleum Regulations, 2020 (NT)
As Expert Determiner
- Dispute between shareholders/directors of a private company, February 2020
- Dispute between a landlord and tenant of premises concerning force majeure arising from covid-19, April 2022.