Since joining chambers in 2011, Matthew has quickly developed an encouraging junior practice covering all areas in which Chambers specialises including insolvency, chancery, property and landlord and tenant. Most notably, Matthew was recently involved in the e-disclosure aspect of major competition litigation. Matthew brings an analytical and methodical approach to his work, and takes great pride in getting to the bottom of tricky legal problems. Prior to joining Chambers, Matthew attained the highest overall mark on the LLB Law degree at his University, before being called to the bar by Middle Temple in 2010. Although based at Enterprise Chambers' Newcastle upon Tyne branch, Matthew is happy to travel in pursuit of his clients’ needs.

Areas of Emphasis

Insolvency - Insolvency accounts for a significant proportion of Matthew’s practice. He is regularly instructed in bankruptcy and winding up petitions (often at short notice), and has experience in applications to set aside statutory demands and orders for sale and possession.

Commercial chancery - Matthew’s practice includes all aspects of commercial litigation, applications, construction of contracts, sale of goods, partnership and guarantees. Instructions to date include drafting precedent particulars of claim on behalf of a waste services provider; and representing a mortgagor in a summary judgment application turning on the construction of an early repayment charge term.

General chancery and company - Matthew accepts instructions in all aspects of company law, family provision, wills and trusts. Cases include drafting a part 8 claim and supporting evidence for family provision and advising a trustee on the rules of intestacy where there has been an adoption.

Property - Matthews practice includes all aspects of Property law, including conveyancing, mortgages / charges, easements and restrictive covenants. Cases to date include advising on the liability of a former tenant under an authorised guarantee agreement after the liquidator of the assignee disclaimed the lease; advising on the enforceability of a mortgage after the mortgagor allegedly forged his wife’s signature; drafting a part 8 claim and support evidence for a vesting order pursuant to section 44 of the Trustee Act 1925; and successfully claiming rent charge payments on behalf of a local Estate Committee.

Landlord and tenant - Matthew has a busy landlord and tenant practice. He is often instructed in possession claims (including claims for possession involving secure and assured tenancies, and mortgage repossession claims), and has acted in a number of appeals.

E-disclosure - Matthew gained valuable experience in e-disclosure while representing a recycling company and a leading electrical wholesaler in major competition litigation, which included travelling to Cape Town to train a team of document reviewers. Matthew is a very competent user of Kroll Ontrack e-disclosure databases, including Intelligent Review Technology (“IRT”), and has experience using Opus 2 International’s trial management software, Magnum.

Career & Associations

Called to the Bar, Middle Temple 2010 (Certificate of Honour)

Bar Vocational Course (Outstanding),

Northumbria University 2009 – 2010 (Northumbria University BVC Scholarship; Lexis prize for legal research)

LLB Law (First Class Hons), University of Leeds 2006 – 2009 (Hughes Scholar – highest overall mark on the LLB degree; Hughes Extended Essay Prize – best dissertation in the third year of the LLB; Margaret Simpson Harrison Prize – most meritorious candidate in Equity and Trusts)