Matthew appears in all the courts of record including the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, Divisional Courts and the High Court as well as the criminal courts, Parliament and the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber). He acts for developers, local authorities and NGOs. He has appeared in over 60 reported Court cases and well over 100 significant inquiries and hearings.
Matthew's practice ranges from planning, to environmental law, property and local government.
In the planning sphere, Matthew has since 2008 been consistently ranked as a leading barrister in the planning sections of Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500. He is also ranked as a leading silk for planning work and in the top 10 silk for commercial and retail work in the Planning Magazine’s 2024 Legal Survey. Matthew is the consultant editor of the compulsory purchase volume of Halsbury’s Laws.
Matthew’s recent work has comprised:
- Two major appeals concerning redevelopment schemes in London adjacent to the Thames - the former ITV building and the former Stag Brewery, Richmond.
- A major housing development project in Chichester District concerning water neutrality issues.
- A London enforcement case involving affordable housing viability issues.
- The promotion of a London local plan.
- Two appeals relating to windfarms in West and South Wales.
- A housing development project involving 3000 houses in the north of England.
- An appeal relating to a major minerals site in Essex.
- A new road compulsory purchase project in the Midlands
- Energy from waste power stations in Essex and north London
- A transport and works act order in southern England
- Development agreement arbitrations relating to schemes in London
- Developments affecting grade 1 listed buildings
- Habitat regulations cases
- Local plan promotion for a London Borough
- Local plan objections in the Midlands.
In the field of environmental law during 2024/5, Matthew has been dealing with many of the issues arising from nutrient loading in the river system, whether from point source or diffuse pollution, advising local authorities, NGOs and private organisations on the issue. He has appeared in an inquiry dealing with the effects of pollution risk from a standing lagoon and water neutrality issues and advised multiple local authorities on their responsibilities arising from coastal erosion.
Matthew’s property practice has generally concerned the cross-over between planning and property, having been involved in litigation on a number of development agreements and options. He has also advised on cases addressing the enforceability of restrictive covenants and easements. He has recently been engaged in a number of cases involving building regulation disputes.