Matthew Heywood represents Local Authority in complex High Court case - Jan 2024
Matthew Heywood is a well regarded leading junior. He is known for his high ranking ability in court as an advocate in the most complex and testing of cases where he routinely leads junior counsel.
He has a wide ranging practice and is instructed in both private and public law matters in all tiers of the family court. Matthew provides seminars in chambers and online.
He is also instructed by Local Authorities in the most complex public law cases. Matthew is also instructed in cases that involve extradition, human rights and international law.
He prosecutes and defends at all levels including the High Court & Court of Appeal. He has been instructed in the most serious and heavy weight of cases including murder, arson, large scale conspiracy and serious complex white collar crime (including bribery and corruption).
Children (Private Law)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.
Matthew Heywood Represents Local Authority in 15 day Sexual Abuse Case - Dec 2020
Matthew Heywood successfully represented a Local Authority in a 15 day sexual abuse case. The case involved many sexual allegations including multiple rapes over a large time period on multiple...
Matthew Heywood represents Applicant Local Authority in 20 day complex FII case - Nov 2020
Matthew Heywood successfully represented a Local Authority in a 20 day complex FII case. Matthew was able to obtain all findings sought after many days of complex medical evidence. This is one of many...
Matthew Heywood and Sophie Evans secure suspended sentence in class A drugs conspiracy - Jul 2018
Matthew Heywood, leading Sophie Evans, secured a suspended sentence for a client accused of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. The trial, which took place at Inner London Crown Court, involved...
Matthew Heywood leads Vanessa Long in multi handed conspiracy - Aug 2017
Matthew Heywood, leading Vanessa Long, secured a not guilty verdict for one of four Defendants charged with conspiring to produce cannabis on an industrial scale. The prosecution case was that the...
Matthew Heywood is successful in the Court of Appeal - Aug 2017
Matthew Heywood successfully appeared in the Court of Appeal in R v Gargan [2017] EWCA Crim where he was able to persuade the full court to reduce the Appellant's sentence resulting in his immediate...
Matthew Heywood successfully secures senior prison officer’s job and pension - Aug 2017
Matthew Heywood represented a senior ranking prison officer on appeal who had been improperly convicted in the lower court. His successful appeal meant his reinstatement of employment and his full...
Matthew Heywood in successful prosecution for murder - Sep 2015
Matthew Heywood was instructed as disclosure junior to assist Philip Benetts QC in the prosecution of Paul Wadkin and Jason Gomez, who were both charged with the murder of fellow prison inmate, Darren...
Matthew Heywood secures convictions for three involved in vicious stabbing case - Aug 2015
Matthew was instructed by the Crown to prosecute three Defendants in a s18 GBH and Violent Disorder case. The injuries included five stab wounds to the back puncturing the lung and liver and were near...
Matthew Heywood secures convictions for the Crown in a large scale Graffiti case - Feb 2015
Matthew Heywood was instructed by the Sussex CPS to prosecute a large-scale Criminal Damage case. The case concerned the damage to at least 25 trains in the Sussex area. The damage was estimated to be...
Matthew Heywood instructed in the High Court on child suffocation case - Jul 2013
Matthew Heywood has been instructed to represent a primary carer accused of killing his child by way of suffocation. The case involves very complex areas of science and medicine and is being heard in...
Matthew Heywood appears in the High Court in an international child abduction case - Nov 2012
Matthew was instructed to represent 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...
Matthew Heywood, formerly of Eastbourne Chambers, has joined our Family and Crime teams - Oct 2012