Year of call: 2020
Matthew joined Kings Chambers at the start of October 2020 as the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence pupil and was supervised by Stephen Maguire and Toby Coupe.
Since becoming a tenant at Kings, Matthew has developed a broad practice within Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence, Professional Negligence, and Coronial law. He has experience of representing both Claimants and Defendants across a wide variety of cases and hearing formats, including acting in Trials, Costs and Case Management Conferences (CCMCs), Applications, Disposal Hearings, Infant Approvals, and claims that have come through the new Official Injury Claim (OIC) system.
Matthew also frequently accepts instructions to draft papers and to provide opinions on a range of topics within Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence law, from the level of the MOJ portal through to the multi-track. Matthew has advised both Defendants and Claimants in Public and Employers’ Liability cases, RTAs, GDPR compliance cases, and Fatal Accident claims.
In addition to accepting instructions in all areas of pure Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence, Matthew has also gained significant Inquest experience; he has acted for families and local authorities across a range of inquest types, including cases involving alleged breaches of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Matthew has acted in several cases involving the prisons service, care provided by local health trusts, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and mental health services, and cases in which there have been significant delays in diagnosis and treatment resulting from measures implemented during the COVD-19 pandemic. Matthew continues to accept new instructions to advise and represent the families of deceased parties in the Coroners’ Courts, at both Pre-Inquest Review Hearings (PIRHs) and Inquests, and is available to further sustain his involvement in associated civil actions thereafter.
Matthew has also recently started accepting instructions in relation to Data Protection legislation – representing local authorities and private business in claims arising out of alleged mishandling of private information. Whilst Matthew’s current experience of GDPR cases has always had a degree of overlap with his Personal Injury practice, he remains willing to accept instructions to represent both Claimants and Defendants in all forms of GDPR related litigation irrespective of the nature of the damages and the types of remedy being sought.
Before being called to the Bar in 2020, Matthew studied Physics and Geology as an undergraduate and then subsequently earned his Ph.D. in Earth Sciences and his graduate diploma in law.
Matthew regularly undertakes work for both Claimants and Defendants across a broad spectrum of Clinical Negligence cases. Matthew is currently accepting instructions to draft pleadings, defences, questions to experts, and any other court documents in Clinical Negligence, as well as to provide opinions and advices to all types of prospective party.
More recently, a fair proportion of Matthew’s Clinical Negligence experience has developed from his role representing families and other dependants of those who have died whilst receiving medical treatment or in hospital care. Matthew regularly serves as an advocate for families in the Coroners’ Courts and typically continues thereafter to advise and represent the families in the subsequent civil actions. This type of work in particular has given Matthew much exposure to and experience of acting in some of the more difficult and emotionally charged areas within Clinical Negligence law.
Matthew continues to maintain a wide area of active interest within Clinical Negligence, however, and is not restricting his practice to fatal claims alone. Matthew is also willing and able to pick up new instructions in Clinical Negligence at any stage of the litigation process, from Pre-Action, through Interlocutory Hearings, to Trial.
Matthew regularly acts for families and other interested parties (primarily healthcare professionals and local authorities) across all types of Inquests. He has experience of acting in both Article 2 and non-Article 2 cases of varying complexity and scope.
“Matthew has now handled several inquests for us ranging from the straightforward to complex Article 2 jury claims. He is always thoroughly prepared and is an impressive advocate. Importantly, the clients who have appeared as witnesses in the cases he has handled have been universally complimentary about his insight into their concerns and his reassuring and supportive manner.”
Particular areas of experience
Notable Cases
Other Training and Experience
Matthew acts for both Claimants and Defendants across all formats and in all tracks, from stage 3 hearings to multi-track cases. Matthew has a national practice with respect to trial work and other forms of advocacy, and he regularly accepts instructions for parties seeking representation, advice, and drafting services. Matthew also regularly acts for insurers, local authorities, and healthcare trusts in all stages of the litigation process.
Particular areas of experience
Secured a finding of Fundamental Dishonesty against a Claimant in a claim for loss of earnings and personal injury where the CRU certificate of work benefits alone exceeded £60,000.
Represented a Claimant who was left with permanent mobility issues and complex psychological sequalae following a road traffic accident. The matter was settled by the Defendant before trial.
Represented an energy firm in a claim against it for pure psychiatric damage resulting from a breach of GDPR provisions – the Claimant’s claim for pure psychiatric harm was successfully dismissed.
Succeeded in a claim brought on behalf of a minor by her family against a company operating a holiday park following an injury to the Claimant on a park ride during a family holiday.
Successfully resisted a finding of Fundamental Dishonesty being made against a client Claimant who had a complex medical background that had not been fully disclosed to all of the instructed experts.