Matthew Heywood

Matthew is a highly skilled and dedicated barrister with extensive expertise in navigating intricate family law matters. With a strong focus on achieving the best outcomes for his clients.

Matthew is able to combine meticulous legal analysis with a compassionate understanding of sensitive family dynamics.

Specializing in high-stakes disputes, fact-finding, child arrangements, and cases involving allegations of domestic abuse or parental alienation. Matthew is known for delivering clear, strategic advice and robust advocacy in court. He is considered a ‘go to’ barrister in disputes between parents.

Matthew has represented clients at all levels, including the High Court and Court of Appeal. Matthew is able to bring a calm and composed presence to even the most challenging cases.

Matthew is able to provide pragmatic solutions, balanced with a tenacious commitment to protecting his client’s interests. Whether handling multi-jurisdictional cases or matters requiring expert witness testimony, Matthew ensures thorough preparation and attention to detail at every stage.

Matthew has a very strong presence in court and is a formidable advocate. Matthew delivers persuasive arguments, meticulous preparation, and unwavering commitment, ensuring his clients’ interests are expertly represented with clarity, strength, and strategic precision in court.

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 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 is a highly skilled and dedicated barrister with extensive expertise in navigating intricate family law matters. With a strong focus on achieving the best outcomes for his clients.

Matthew is able to combine meticulous legal analysis with a compassionate understanding of sensitive family dynamics.

Specializing in high-stakes disputes, fact-finding, child arrangements, and cases involving allegations of domestic abuse or parental alienation. Matthew is known for delivering clear, strategic advice and robust advocacy in court. He is considered a ‘go to’ barrister in disputes between parents.

Matthew has represented clients at all levels, including the High Court and Court of Appeal. Matthew is able to bring a calm and composed presence to even the most challenging cases.

Matthew is able to provide pragmatic solutions, balanced with a tenacious commitment to protecting his client’s interests. Whether handling multi-jurisdictional cases or matters requiring expert witness testimony, Matthew ensures thorough preparation and attention to detail at every stage.

Matthew has a very strong presence in court and is a formidable advocate. Matthew delivers persuasive arguments, meticulous preparation, and unwavering commitment, ensuring his clients’ interests are expertly represented with clarity, strength, and strategic precision in court.