Called in 2012
Areas of Practice
Crime, Property, Landlord & Tenant, Business & Commercial, Personal Injury
We are very pleased that a number of our members have been ranked in the Legal 500 2021: Dr Onyoja Momoh as a Leading Junior for Children Law (Public and Private), Kyle Squire as a Rising Star in the same category and Antonia Halker as a Leading Junior in Property Litigation. All are highly skilled, robust advocates. To book, please contact our clerks.
The easiest way to contact our clerks is by email at clerks@5pumpcourt.com or by telephone. Please call our family clerks on 020 7632 7852 or 020 7632 7851; our civil clerk on 020 7632 7862 and our criminal clerk on 020 7632 7853. After 5.30pm please call 07976 368031.
Many courts are continuing to conduct hearings remotely. Our members have extensive experience of remote hearings, and can advise on preparation and tactics and effectively represent clients at such hearings. We are able to host hearings and conferences by Microsoft Teams or Zoom. Contact us at clerks@5pumpcourt.com for more information
5 Pump Court Chambers stands firmly against racism in any form. We are proud of the diversity of our Chambers, and believe that diversity makes us stronger. We also accept that there is always more we could do, and we are ready to listen and to learn.
Kemi Ojitiku acted in the recent case of K (Children: Placement Orders) representing a father in long and complex proceedings regarding whether care and placement orders, and adoption orders, should be made. The CA ordered that the matter be remitted to a fresh tribunal.
Nancy Williams has written for littlelaw on ongoing issues in Nigeria relating to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
Jo Morris, a member of our criminal team, has written for The Times arguing that breaches of the Official Secrets Act do not need further protection.
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Matthew has a busy common law practice and is available for instructions across all areas of Chambers work.
Described as hands on, easy to work with, and someone who quickly gets to the heart of a case and adds value.
Civil
Matthew regularly appears in the County Court dealing with Landlord & Tenant matters, contract disputes, boundary disputes and covenants. Outside of court he has a busy paper and advisory practice. He also has experience dealing with TOLATA applications.
Kemsheds Trust Successfully represented Northampton County Council against developers attempting to claim ownership via inheritance of a village car park based on disputed epitome of title.
GvG Acted for the Claimant in a complex mortgage possession matter relying on the Mercantile Law Amendment Act 1856.
MvM Successfully resisted an application to enforce a building scheme by way of injunctions requiring the destruction of an extension.
Drawing on his experience advising on allegations of negligent performance in the military system he has a developing interest in the complimentary field of professional discipline.
Crime
Matthew regularly prosecutes and defends in the Crown Court, and has conducted trials in cases involving a wide range of criminal offences including regulatory matters. His defence practice increasingly focuses on serious crime in both the Crown Court and the Court Martial (see below). His experience in civil practice also makes him an ideal choice for proceeds of crime and fraud matters.
R v B (Canterbury Crown Court) Prosecuted a dangerous dogs case where a dog had been used as a weapon whilst dangerously under control.
R v G (Maidstone Crown Court) Successfully defended as junior alone in a multi-handed three week county lines PWITS case. Matthew’s client was the only defendant to be acquitted.
R v M (Maidstone Crown Court) Successfully defended as junior alone in an seven handed armed robbery matter lasting a total of 62 days.
R v H (Gloucester Crown Court) Successfully defended a man charged with GBH.
R v W (Swindon Crown Court) Currently instructed to defend in an eight handed cross border conspiracy to evade duty involving the military postal system.
Court Martial
Matthew regularly defends in the Court Martial and accepts instructions both in the UK and further afield. Building on his work with the Association of Military Court Advocates he is extremely well versed in the field. He also advises those facing AGAI67 action and summary dealing. He is always happy to provide pre-charge advice.
R v H & J [2019] EWCA Crim 1863 Successfully argued that rule 26b of the Armed Forces (Court Martial) Rules 2009 provided power within the Service Justice system for a case to be dismissed before arraignment. A power hitherto unavailable in the Service Justice System. Matthew continues to be instructed to defend in this evasion of duty case.
R v D Successfully defended a soldier accused of abusing recruits under his command.
R v B Successfully defended a soldier charged with sexual assault having won a contested s.41 application on the issue of the manner of consent.
R v H Successfully defended a soldier in a case of GBH, where service injuries had led to memory loss of the incident concerned.
R v E Currently instructed to defend a soldier charged with fraud.
Re. B Successfully argued that a sailor who failed a CDT should be retained in the Royal Navy.
Publications and other projects
Bolt, M & Wallis G: Court martial hearings, fairness and the dismissal of charges - Cov. L.J. 2019, 24(2), 116-117 (available from Westlaw here)
Matthew is a contributor to the Global Military Justice Blog, an international collaboration run by Prof. Fidell of Yale University.
Memberships
Hon Society of the Middle Temple – Member
Property Bar Association - Member
Criminal Bar Association – Member
South Eastern Circuit – Member
Association of Military Court Advocates – Membership Secretary
Service Court Rules Review Committee - Member
5 Pump Court
Temple, London
EC4Y 7AP
Document Exchange
LDE 497 Chancery Lane
Hours
8.30 am until 7.00 pm
Urgent out-of-hours
07976 368031