Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Matthew is a family law specialist. He was called to the Bar in 1998 and is a member of Lincoln’s Inn.
Matthew is instructed in both public and private law cases on behalf of local authorities, parents (including prospective adoptive parents and adoption agencies), extended family members, foster carers and children.
Matthew has extensive experience in dealing with complex and difficult cases involving complex medical and factual evidence arising from allegations of non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse and FII.
To instruct Matthew or for more information…
Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk
Matthew is instructed on behalf of parents, Local Authorities, Children’s Guardians, interveners and prospective adopters. He has extensive experience in dealing with complex and difficult cases and fact finding hearings which involve:
Appearing in the Court of Appeal remotely on behalf of the 2nd Respondent Mother opposing an appeal against a Circuit Judge’s decision to grant permission to a Local Authority to withdraw proceedings where findings of fact on an alleged NAI had been sought. The appeal was allowed and the matter was remitted for the fact finding hearing to take place.
Successfully obtained a costs order against a Local Authority in the Court of Appeal.
Successfully appearing in the Court of Appeal on behalf of the appellant, who had previously acted in person, where final care and placement orders were set aside and the matter was remitted for another final hearing before Keehan J.
Acting on behalf of the Children’s Guardian in a successful appeal against the summary dismissal of Care Proceedings by a Circuit Judge which involved allegations of NAI.
Acting on behalf of the Children’s Guardian in the first Court Appeal decision on the issue of Post-Adoption contact since the insertion of section 51A and 51B of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 by the Children and Families Act 2014.
Care proceedings in the High Court involving allegations of FII and issues relating to underlying medical conditions to include hEDS and cEDS. Matthew was led by Aidan Vine QC from Chambers in representing the mother. Following the conclusion of the Fact Finding hearing the Local Authority accepted that they could not prove threshold and the case was dismissed by Keehan J.
Care proceedings involving life threatening head injuries to a baby sustained through shaking. Matthew represented the Children’s Guardian in this case which involved complex medical evidence surrounding the causation and mechanism for the injury.
Matthew is instructed in a range of private law cases which involve for example:
Private law case involving serious allegations of sexual abuse of children by their father. Matthew successfully represented the father in the fact finding hearing where the court made no findings and direct contact with his children was re-instated after a 7 month absence.
Matthew is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access Scheme in appropriate circumstances.