Profile

• BA, Victoria University, Melbourne
• PgDL (CPE), University of Westminster, London
• LLM (Intellectual Property), Queen Mary College, University of London
• BVC, BPP Law School, London
• Called to the Bar 2005, Middle Temple
• Member of FLBA, PIBA

Practice:

FAMILY

• Ancillary relief: Matthew regularly advises clients and attends s.37 and MPS applications, FDRs and final hearings. He also undertakes applications relating to TLATA.
• Private law children: Matthew has extensive experience in this area, including a number of cases involving removal from the jurisdiction, cases involving interpreters and with clients who are particularly vulnerable or have mental health issues.
• Public law: Matthew has broad experience representing parents in care proceedings. He regularly undertakes work involving allegations of sexual abuse, neglect, non-accidental injury and has experience in shaken baby cases. He also acts for local authorities.
• Domestic Violence: Matthew is regularly instructed to represent both the alleged victims and perpetrators of domestic violence in non-molestation and committal proceedings.

CIVIL

• Personal injury: Matthew advises and acts for claimants and defendants in fast-track road traffic, slip and trip claims and employers' liability cases.
• Commercial and domestic contract disputes: His experience in this area has included, for example, a commercial dispute in relation to sample football caps under the Sale of Goods Act, a dispute as to the appropriate rate of VAT to be applied to services provided under a construction contract, a dispute as to the application of terms as to remuneration in an estate agency contract, and consumer credit disputes, particularly credit hire.
• Procedural and costs: He has advised on and appeared at hearings relating to procedural and costs issues.

RECENT CASES OF INTEREST

• DS v RS [2009] EWHC 1594 (Fam)

PRIZES & AWARDS

• Queen Mother Scholar of the Middle Temple

ACADEMIC POSTS

• Freelance BVC tutor, BPP Law School (has taught Opinion Writing and Family
  Law Option)

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATIONS

• Accredited as an advocacy trainer by the Inns Advocacy Training Council

LANGUAGES

• French

PREVIOUS CAREER DETAILS

Before joining Field Court, Matthew was a tenant at Broadway House Chambers in Leeds. He remains a door tenant at Broadway House.

Prior to being called to the Bar, Matthew worked for the East Thames Housing association and for Accenture at the London Stock Exchange.

INTERESTS

Matthew enjoys good food - both cooking it and eating it, and, having grown up on a vineyard in Australia, particularly enjoys good wine. When he gets the chance he enjoys hill walking, cycling and the occasional feeble attempt at golf.