Matthew Heywood

Matthew represents parents, extended family members, children’s guardians and intervenors. He also has considerable experience in cases involving allegations of non-accidental injury, parental alienation and sexual abuse, as well as cases in which medical opinions conflict.

Matthew represents all parties and her experience includes all aspects of disputes including those with an intractable or international dimension. Matthew also has particular experience in representing parties in complex fact finding cases and internal and international relocation.

Selected Cases

• Re H 2020: 15 day fact finding. Multiple allegations of serious sexual abuse of children. Acting for a Local Authority.
• Re P CFCL (2020): 20 day FII case. Acting for a Local Authority.
• Re H-B (2020): 15 day sexual abuse case acting for the main perpetrator.
• Re R EWHC (2019): Complex fact finding involving FII.
• Re C EWHC (2018): Serious case involving child abduction and female mutilation.
• Re C (2017): 5 day fact-finding acting for the Local Authority. Serious abuse alleged.
• Re B & V (Children) (2014): 14 day fact-finding. Instructed to represent alleged main perpetrator in a case involving serious sexual allegations spread out over a 5 year period.
• Re R (A Child) (2014): Representation of a Mother in a case involving alleged serious sexual offences.
• Re B-Y (A Child) (2013) EWHC 4108 & EWCA Civ 532: Instructed to represent a Father accused of killing his child by way of suffocation. The case involved very complex areas of science and medicine and was heard in the High Court. This case also gave rise to an appeal where Matthew was led by Robert Seabrook QC.
• D v D (2013): International child abduction. Representation of a Mother whose child was abducted and taken to another jurisdiction. After proceedings in the High Court, the child was swiftly and safely returned to the jurisdiction of England & Wales. The case involved complex cross-jurisdictional issues of law and procedure.
• Re P (2013): 5 day fact-finding. Serious allegation of NAI, which included multiple fractures. Acting for primary carer.

Matthew is instructed and advises in a wide range of matters involving human Rights and international law. Matthew works closely with human rights organisations and is often instructed in cases with large media attention.

Matthew prosecutes and defends at all levels including the Court of Appeal. He has been instructed in a broad range of cases including matters involving serious complex crime, fraud, white collar crime, serious violence, murder, arson, large scale drugs supply, dishonesty, public order and sexual offences (including historic sexual abuse). Matthew is known for his meticulous preparation and determination when dealing with all his cases.

Matthew has a strong practice in sexual offences and is a first choice for any complex sexual case particularly those with vulnerable or child witnesses.

Selected Cases

Criminal Defence

• Successfully Defended Local Authority in 15 day Sexual Abuse Case (2021).
• R v H & ors (2018): Leading counsel in large scale conspiracy to supply Class A.
• R v B & Ors (2017): Leading counsel in the defence of a young man accused of conspiring to grow approximately 7 million pounds worth of cannabis. The Defendant was the only one of 4 Defendants to be acquitted.
• R v P (2017): Defence of a man charged with serious historical sex offences against a member of his family. Most of the offences dated back to the 1970’s. Defendant acquitted.
• R v J (2016): Defence of a man charged with rape. The Defendant was acquitted.
• R v B (2016): Defence of a man charged with serious sexual offences including rape. Defendant acquitted.
• R v J (2015): Defence of a man charged with serious historical sex offences against a member of his family. Defendant acquitted.
• R v B (2014): S.18 wounding (originally charged as attempted murder). Stab wound to the neck almost killing the victim.
• R v M Ors (2013): Three-handed injurious false imprisonment. The prosecution alleged that the Defendants had accosted the Complainant, taken him back to a house and held him there whilst they brutally tortured him.
• R v G (2013): Defence of a man charged with multiple historic sex offences against multiple Complainants. Some of the offences dated back to the 1970’s.
• R v M & Another (2012): Father and son jointly charged with large-scale production of cannabis, money laundering and offences under POCA 2002. The Defendant later pleaded to selected offences under POCA 2002 and received a suspended sentence. The proceedings also involved complex confiscation proceedings where the assets involved were in excess of £650,000.
• R v C (2012): Arson with intent to endanger life. Fire started in a large hotel in Devon. 4 day Newton hearing that included the cross-examination of 4 expert witnesses in relation to complex scientific issues.
• R v L (2011): Sexual assault. Included the cross-examination of a 10 year old child. Successful halftime submission.
• J v R (2011): Murder. Privately briefed to advise on appeal.
• R v Western [2011] EWCA Crim 290: Ten-handed large scale cocaine & cannabis conspiracy across the UK. Most of the evidence consisted of cell-site analysis and ANPR (automatic number plate recognition). The case resulted in a successful appeal.
• R v Capewell (Philip) [2010] EWCA Crim 1712: Appeal of a confiscation order (Order sought in excess of £500,000).
• R v W (2010): Multiple counts of attempted rape, s.18 GBH and sexual assault.
• R v B & Ors (2010): Multi handed s.18 GBH where one of the victim’s injuries were life threatening. The trial lasted 3 weeks and despite running a ‘cut throat’ defence the Defendant was acquitted.
• R v DM & Another (2010): Multi handed aggravated burglary.  The trial lasted 3 weeks and involved multiple legal arguments.
• R v T(D) [2009] EWCA Crim 1213 S: Defendant charged with s.18 GBH. The Defendant was alleged to have forced the Victim to pour a boiling hot kettle of water over himself in order to settle a drugs debt. Initially this case gave rise to a successful appeal on the admissibility of hearsay evidence. After hearing argument the CA quashed the conviction and ordered a re-trial. After the second trial Matthew successfully secured an acquittal. This case is reported and noted in Archbold as a leading authority.
• R v H & Another (2009): Two handed s.18 GBH that included multiple stab wounds to the neck, back and legs of the Victim. The Defendant was only 15.

Criminal Prosecution

• R v B & Ors: Prosecution counsel in complex bribery and corruption case. The total bribes alleged were in excess of 350k.
• R v S & Ors (2016): Multi handed heroin conspiracy. Complex case involving large amounts of computer data and telephone evidence. Convictions secured totalling over 20 years.
• R v G & Ors (2016): Multi handed aggravated burglary. Convictions secured.
• R v W & G (2015): Led junior in brutal murder. The Victim (a serving prisoner) was attacked by 2 inmates who stabbed him over 190 times. Both Defendants were convicted. The sentences passed included 30 years for one Defendant and a "whole life order" for the other.
• R v B & Another (2015): Brutal aggravated burglary. Convictions secured.
• R v H & Others (2015): Multi-handed prosecution of a Class A drugs conspiracy. Complex evidence, including cell-site analysis. Convictions secured.
• R v M (2015): Large scale criminal damage (graffiti) The case concerned the damage to at least 25 trains in the Sussex area. The damage was estimated to be over £75,000. After a two week trial, Matthew was able to secure convictions on all counts. The case involved very complex issues of law and fact. One expert gave evidence for a week.

Matthew prosecutes and defends regulatory crime, including; compliance, environmental health, trading standards and health & safety.

Selected Cases

• RSPCA v D (2016): Brutal attack on a dog witnessed in broad daylight by passers by. Convictions secured.
• WSCC v D (2014): Defence of a man charged with multiple counts of fraud and trading standards offences. The total fraud was close to £1,000,000.
• ESCC v B & Ors (2013): Three-handed large-scale fly tipping. The waste (some hazardous) was in excess of 10,000 tonnes with a clean up cost of over £30,000.
• RSPCA v B (2013): Prosecution of a medium scale puppy farm.
• RSPCA v K (2013): Prosecution of a man involved in an organised dog-fighting ring.

Matthew accepts instructions in injunctive proceedings, often involving serious domestic violence and abuse. He has appeared in proceedings concerning Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders.