Background:

Matthew read Jurisprudence at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford. He took the BVC at the Inns of Court School of Law and was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in October 1998, he has subsequently become an “ad eundem” member of the Middle Temple.

Police Law:

Matthew’s police practice touches on almost every aspect of police law.

Civil Actions

Matthew is regularly instructed in civil claims alleging unlawful arrest, assault, malicious prosecution, misfeasance and allegations of discrimination; together with EL claims.

Matthew is particularly well known for his ability to tease out the central issues and for his clear tactical overview for managing the litigation. This is particularly relevant where the civil claim is brought in parallel with other proceedings e.g. criminal, Baker and Brogan v Chief Constable of the South Yorkshire Police, associated judicial review proceedings, Crosby v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis, or inquests, Mengutay v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis.

Advisory

Matthew is asked to advise across the whole range of police work, including civil actions and proposed judicial review claims (as set out above) and all other areas involving the police e.g. the letting of police houses, the position in relation to transferees and entitlements, the de-criminalisation of moving traffic offences, the use of mobile processing units, the retention and seizure of vehicles, and the correct interpretation of PACE.

Misconduct

In 2009 Matthew acted as both a presenting officer and legal advisor under both the 2004 and 2008 Police (Conduct) Regulations. He was part of the team that provided training nationally in relation to the 2008 Regulations and been involved in a whole range of misconduct hearing ranging from misuse of Facebook and the Police National Computer to an allegation of assault where the examining Senior House Officer states that the Complainant has been the victim of a “systematic beating”. He has appeared regularly before the Police Appeals Tribunal and has represented Police Authorities in associated judicial review proceedings.

Public/Administrative Law:

Matthew is regularly instructed in judicial review claims in a wide variety of areas including:

Police misconduct (R (on the application of Gardner) v IPCC and the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis, R (on the application of Fatima Boussid) v IPCC and the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis, R (on the application of Mendy) v the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis, R (on the application of Casaluci) v the IPCC),

Disclosure and Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates (R (on the application of SL) v Commissioner of Police [2008] EWHC 1442 (Admin), Moodie v Chief Constable of Lancashire, R (on the application of Bailey) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis) and other more discrete areas e.g. Costs (Taylor v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [2009] EWHC 264 (Admin),

Funding of separate representation Friend and Others v Greater Manchester Police Authority and the Chief Constable of the Greater Manchester Police,

Legality of arrests (R (on the application of Bradley Wright-Phillips) v Chief Constable of the Hampshire Constabulary),

Lawfulness of cautions (R (on the application of Lee) v the Chief Constable of the Essex Police).

Inquests

Matthew has undertaken several high profile and delicate inquests in the past year including: Re Kieron Coupe (Aged 7) and Guy Davies (Aged 6) (in the Warrington Coroner’s Court) who were run over on the M56 motorway following the removal of motorway barriers, Re Luke Whyatt (in the Leicester Coroners Court) suicide on a railway shortly after having been in police custody, and Re Mehmet Mengutay (in the Southwark Coroner’s Court) in which it was alleged that police officers had mistreated the deceased because of his race.

“Matthew continues to build on an impressive practice.” Chambers and Partners 2010

Matthew has ‘a drafting ability that is second to none.’ Chambers and Partners 2009

Matthew has a ‘fantastic keenness and a great eye for detail’ Chambers and Partners 2009

Lectures:

Matthew is happy to provide CPD lecture to solicitors on all aspects of his practice

Interests:

Rowing, travel, film and music and wine.

Significant work and cases

R (on the application of L) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and the Secretary of State for the Home Department and Liberty [2009] UKSC 3, (2009) 3 WLR 1056, Times, November 2, 2009.

R (on the application of Crosby) v Independent Police Complaints Commission and the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [2009] EWHC 2515 (Admin)

Desmond v Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire – Nottingham County Court (First Instance), High Court on appeal [2009] EWHC 2362 (QB)