Graduated in Law from Bristol University in 2009 and was called to the Bar in 2010. Awarded the Cynthia Terry Scholarship, Gray's Inn. Graded "Very Competent" on the BVC at University of West of England. Contributing author to inaugural Gray's Inn Student Law Journal. Formerly worked for Bristol Youth Offending Team as a mentor for teenage children on the Final Warnings programme. Became a tenant at St. Mary's Chambers in 2011 following completion of a specialist Family Law pupillage.
Personal
Matthew is an RFU National Panel Referee. The RFU National Panel of Referees are the best match officials in the country and officiate up to the RFU Championship. Matthew travels around the country regularly and has enjoyed a number of appointments overseas including to the USA, Portugal and Malaysia.
- Member of the FLBA
- Member of the Midland Circuit
- Member of the Association of Lawyers for Children
- Member of Chambers' Pupillage Committee
- Member of Chambers' Equality and Diversity Committee
- Member of Chambers' Expenses Committee
- Presents training to Local Authorities, solicitors and other professionals on Children Act updates and Special Guardianship orders
Recent Cases
Re: C (a child) - (Unreported in the Court of Appeal; Lord Justice Thorpe and Lady Justice Black) - Responded to an appeal against the making of an Interim Residence Order.
Represented a father in very emotional private law proceedings where the central issue was end of life direct contact to a parent with a terminal illness. The father’s condition, the very tight timeframe, the mother’s implacable hostility and the opposition to the contact from the Children’s Guardian made the issues complex. Although contact was ordered, the father tragically passed away.
Represented a mother in care proceedings. Successfully appealed the making of Care and Placement Orders on the ground that her Article 6 rights to a fair trial had been breached.
Acted for the Local Authority in complex proceedings involving non-accidental injuries to a young child. Case involved substantial expert paediatric and radiological evidence.
Represented a man in sensitive private law proceedings. During the proceedings DNA established he was not the child’s biological father. At the Final Hearing the Court ruled against the Local Authority’s recommendations by awarding the client Parental Responsibility and regular overnight contact.
