Practice Profile

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