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Practice Profile
Qualifications: BA Hons History (University of Southampton); LLB (University of Southampton)
Areas of Practice:
- Crime - defence and prosecution (including regulatory matters)
- Civil - Property disputes, landlord & tenant and housing
- Court Martial
- Public Law
Panel appointments
- Grade 2 Crown Prosecution Service Prosecutor
Profile:
Prior to coming to the Bar Matthew practised in the County Court dealing with small claims, possession hearings (both mortgage and landlord and tenant), applications for summary judgement and insolvency proceedings. Outside of court he advised on criminal appeals for a specialist appeals practice in central London. As a committee member of the Association of Military Court Advocates, Matthew retains a keen interest and proficiency in all aspects of military law.
Matthew practices throughout London and across the South Eastern Circuit, and regularly appears in both the Crown and County Courts.
Outside of the law Matthew is an active member of the Scout Association and an amateur mixologist.
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. He is experienced in confiscation hearings and is often instructed in restraint applications.
Court Martial:
Matthew regularly defends in the Court Martial and accepts instructions both in the UK and further afield. Building on his years working with the Association of Military Court Advocates and now a member of the Service Court Rules Review Committee and Better Case Management (Court Martial) working group he is extremely well versed in the field. Matthew also provides pre-charge advice to those facing the prospect of Court Martial.
Civil - Property, Landlord and Tenant:
Matthew practiced for three years prior to pupillage as a solicitors' agent dealing with Landlord and Tenant disputes. He has now begun to develop thst experience into a burgeoning paper and court practice and now also advises in a range of property disputes.
Matthew has particular expertise in relation to restrictive covenants and well understands the important impact a restricitve covenant can have on the value and enjoyment of your home. He prides himself on offering prctical and pragmatic advice.
Cases of note:
R v B (Canterbury Crown Court): Prosecuted a dangerous dogs case where a dog had been used as a weapon whilst dangerously under control to inflict GBH.
R v W (Canterbury Crown Court): Successfully defended a businessman charged with possession of an offensive weapon following a 5 day trial.
R v R (Central Criminal Court): Prosecuted a dangerous driving trial.
R v D (Snaresbrook Crown Court): Prosecuted a school governor for possession of indecent images.
R v C (Canterbury Crown Court): Defended a 19 year old accused of supplying Class A drugs to a minor who subsequently died of an overdose.
R v E and others (Youth Court) Defended three defendants in a multi-handed violent disorder.
R (TfL) v Uber and others: Advising on the formation of legislation regarding the regulation of private hire vehicles.
R (LTDA) v DVLA: Advising on judicial review relating to private prosecutions and data protection.
L v Guildford BC: Advised on appeal against noise abatement notice and drafted grounds of appeal. Respondent withdrew notice upon receipt of grounds.
R v D (Court Martial): Successfully defended a soldier accused of abusing recruits under his command.
London Borough of Hackney v I (Snaresbrook Crown Court): Successfully prosecuted a business for prolonged breaches of planning notices.
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.
Memberships:
Criminal Bar Association
South Eastern Circuit
Association of Military Court Advocates (Membership Secretary)
Service Court Rules Review Committee
