Matthew is a commercial litigation and dispute resolution specialist. He acts for both individuals (usually HNWIs and entrepreneurs) as well as large organisations across the globe, with clients across all continents.
Matthew is a partner who leads the Dispute Resolution team at Saunders Law, specialising in heavy commercial litigation, with a focus on breach of contract matters, civil and commercial fraud and high-value asset recovery. Prior to joining Saunders Law, Matthew worked in-house for a global PLC as a commercial litigation solicitor and has always practiced litigation.
Experienced in the full range of litigation, Matthew also prepares appeals to the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Privy Council. He has a sizeable and growing practice, advising clients in the UAE, India and across Asia.
Matthew also has particular experience in advising professional clients facing regulatory difficulty, particularly solicitors facing misconduct allegations before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and medical professionals and students before the General Medical Council. With criminal litigation experience, Matthew also advises companies and individuals facing prosecution.
Recent Commercial Litigation and Fraud Experience
- Advising a Dubai-based entity, a victim of property and asset fraud, worth over £100m, with assets spread across five countries
- Conducting an arbitration and associated litigation on behalf of the PRC's largest fabric manufacturer, in a dispute worth £15m+
- Issuing and promptly settling, a claim against the architects of a complex property fraud scheme, in excess of £10m
- Advising an investment vehicle and its board of directors in connection with allegations of fraud and defending the subsequent fraud claim valued at £4m+ - with over 20 Claimant investors
- Defending injunctions against an international cosmetics company and associated defamation claims
- Advising a major property company on negligent advice given by surveyors and solicitors in a £600k+ dilapidations dispute
- Obtaining an urgent injunction against an international shipping company to prevent the transport of stolen, high-value goods abroad
- Drafting anti-bribery policies and procedures for an African investment and development organisation
- Defending a breach of contract and data protection dispute for a global recruitment organisation
Recent Professional Discipline Experience
- Securing an agreed outcome before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, for a solicitor accused of dishonesty offences, resulting not in strike-off, but a simple fine
- Representing a former partner of a law firm in matters arising from an intervention and preparing representations to the Solicitors Regulation Authority
- Acting for a former solicitor Director of News International in connection with disciplinary proceedings bought by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority leading to exoneration
- Assisting a medical professional in fitness to practice proceedings, ultimately culminating in an appeal to the High Court
Recent Media Law Experience
- Acting for a former Director of News International in relation to litigation arising from the phone hacking scandal, both domestically and abroad
- Assisting a global television news organisation following criminal investigations in relation to broadcast content
- Advising diplomatic staff at the Polish Embassy in London in relation to breach of privacy
Matthew also regularly commentates on the law and legal developments. Matthew has recently:
- Appeared on BBC Watchdog, discussing issues arising out of Apple's restrictive consumer warranties (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-43960267) / (https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/6193488/apple-unnecessary-faults-iphone-repairs/)
- Appeared on BBC Rogue Traders to provide advice on liability and litigation procedure in property damage claims
- Contributed to articles in The Telegraph in relation to freelance working and managing debtors (paywall) (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/going-freelance-five-key-things-think-mortgages-car-insurance/)
- Written pieces for The Law Society Gazette on professional discipline inside a law firm (https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/features/how-to-discipline-a-colleague/5068011.article)