Matthew is a highly experienced criminal barrister with an excellent track record of successfully prosecuting and defending high profile criminal cases and conducting regulatory work.
He is frequently instructed as the Leading Junior for the prosecution and defence and appears regularly against Leading Counsel. Matthew is a category 4 prosecutor and a member of the CPS RASSO panel.
Matthew is often requested by the Crown Prosecution Service to advise and deal with the most serious sexual offences involving highly vulnerable complainants. He also has extensive experience in representing defendants charged with such offences.
This expertise has led him to being asked by the Bar Council to advise the Ministry of Justice and Amnesty International in relation to the functioning of the current sexual offences legislation from the perspective of a practitioner.
He has also assisted in writing the Wales and Chester Circuit Response as well as the Criminal Bar Response to the recent Law Commission paper on reform of Sexual Offences Legislation. He has also made detailed written representations the Justice Select Committee in relation to the section 28 pre-recording of complainant evidence.
He is ranked in the Chambers UK Guide (2023, Crime) as Band 2 counsel:
âMatthew has an eye for detail. He is excellent at picking out points that others may missâ
âHe is absolutely superbâ
His tenaciousness and excellent eye for detail means he is often instructed in high profile drug conspiracies involving multiple defendants, firearms and complex IT issues.
âMatthew is a very strong advocate. He has a close to forensic understanding of the workings of computers, which makes him an ideal choice for cases involving ITâ
He also specialises in unusual and highly technical areas of law ranging from forensic issues concerning computers, the internet and functioning of operating systems to environmental cases involving endangered species and regulatory matters such as recently advising Natural Resources Wales in respect of the Llangennech Rail derailment.
- R v P and D (2023) Lead Counsel prosecuting a case of serious sexual abuse against two KCs instructed for each defendant
- R v B and others (2023) Lead Counsel for the first defendant in a multi defendant drugs case Operation Bluebell
- R v M and M (2021) Lead Counsel for the prosecution in a multiple complainant sexual abuse case
- R v W,W and C (2019) Lead Counsel for the prosecution in a multiple complainant sexual abuse case
- R v A(2021) Lead Counsel for the prosecution in a murder case
- R v P and others (Operation Vermont) (2022) Lead Counsel for the defence in a multiple defendant drugs conspiracy
- Llangennech Rail Derailment â advising Natural Resources Wales in respect of potential prosecution arising out of a major environmental incident
- R v A and others 2019 â Led Junior in a multiple defendant murder
- R v M â Led Junior in a murder case involving psychiatric issues
- R v KJ â defending in a historic sexual offences case
- R v M â defending in a sexual abuse case involving a very young complainant
- R v CM Lead Counsel 2024 prosecuting attempted murder
- R v S and M 2024 Led Led junior in a murder
- R v C 2024 prosecuting sexual abuse in a medical context, the case attracting nationwide publicity
- R v F and others (2022) Lead Counsel for the third defendant in a multi defendant drugs case Operation Carina
- R v F and others (2022) Lead Counsel for the first defendant in the first Modern Slavery Prosecution in Wales
“Matthew is always able to cut straight to the issue and engages well with the client, providing clear and comprehensive advice.”
“Matthew is always able to cut straight to the issue and engages well with the client, providing clear and comprehensive advice.”
“He is a very good communicator with clients and is excellent in preparation of cases. He is a specialist in serious sexual violence and an excellent advocate.”Chambers UK Guide (2025)
âMatthew has an eye for detail. He is excellent at picking out points that others may miss.”
âHe is absolutely superb.â
âMatthew is a very strong advocate. He has a close to forensic understanding of the workings of computers, which makes him an ideal choice for cases involving IT.”
Chambers UK Guide (2023)
Chambers UK 2022 states: Matthew maintains a strong reputation for his serious crime practice both as a Grade 4 CPS Prosecutor and as Defence Counsel. “He has particular expertise in cases concerning financial crime and sexual offences.” and notes his strengths: “He is very hard-working, takes on difficult cases and does it calmly and well. He always turns up well prepared and takes the right points in the right tone.”
In previous editions they have reported that Matthew is: “In high demand and skilled.” “Excellent at dealing with disclosure.” “He is very good on cases that involve knowledge of technology.”
The legal 500 2018 âwell known for high profile fraud and sexual offences casesâ whilst a previous edition reported âhe can be trusted to act in all criminal cases however serious”.
- Category 4 CPS prosecutor and RASSO panel member
- Member of the Criminal Bar Association
- Member of the Wales and Chester Circuit
- Member of the CBA RASSO Panel
- Pupil Supervisor
- Course Director for Advocacy Wales and Chester Circuit
- Trainer for the Vulnerable witness course
- Member of Chambers Management Committee
- Chair of Equality and Diversity Chambers Committee
- Liaison to Bar Council for Equality and Diversity
- Community Governor Gabalfa Primary School
- Foundation Governor Bishop of Llandaff Secondary School
- Equalities Officer Cardiff bay Air Target Club
- Grayâs Inn Mentor
- Â State school educated in Plymouth
- Cardiff University – LL.B(Hons) 2:1
- Bristol University -LL.M in Commercial Law (Insurance, Intellectual Property, Employment and Personal Injury litigation)
- Inns of Court School of Law -Bar Vocational CourseÂ
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