Matthew Barnes

Clinical Negligence

In clinical negligence, his practice includes work for both claimants and defendants, covering a range from low value claims up to the highest value catastrophic brain injuries.

“Matthew has an amazing ability to get to the heart of the case. He is really tenacious, highly experienced and a silk in the making.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)

“Matthew is a very experienced and safe pair of hands. He is very good with clients and with details.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)

“Matthew is extraordinarily intelligent and cuts through to the heart of the issues in any case.  He is a forceful and eloquent advocate and a formidable opponent.” (Legal 500 2025)

“Matthew cuts through complex issues to reach the key point and is robust and persuasive in negotiations.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)

“Matthew is a very impressive advocate who should be feared by the other side.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)

“He has excellent attention to detail and his advice cuts through everything with practical steps to take to progress matters.” (Chambers & Partners 2024)

“Matthew is excellent; in conference, in his written work and at trial.” (Chambers & Partners 2024)

“Smooth as you like – Matthew is a silk in waiting.” (Chambers & Partners 2024)

“Matthew is willing to fight every corner. He is a formidable negotiator and he is a very effective cross-examiner.” (Chambers & Partners 2023)

“A phenomenal advocate who is really sharp, quick-thinking and very empathetic to clients.” (Chambers & Partners 2022)

“He’s an excellent barrister – very forensic and great at tactics.” (Chambers & Partners 2022)

“Astute, quick-thinking and tenacious.” “He is very impressive in court and in cross-examinations.” “He is excellent, particularly in terms of his advice on tactics and in negotiations at settlement meetings.” (Chambers & Partners 2021)

“An excellent advocate who gets to the nub of the case very quickly.” (Legal 500 2021)

“He is skilled at keeping discussions on track on the issues that matter.’”(Legal 500 2019)

“Tenacious and robust on his feet.” “An exceptionally bright mind blended with great pragmatism and tactical thinking.” (Chambers & Partners 2018)

“An excellent practitioner and a very, very good advocate.” “He has an exceptionally bright mind blended with great pragmatism and tactical thinking.” (Chambers & Partners 2017)

“A really pugnacious advocate” and “an excellent junior who managed some difficult issues with tricky experts extremely well in conference.” (Chambers & Partners 2016)

Selected Cases

• KXM v Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University LHB (2020).
• SM v KB (2020).
• ES (MS) v Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (1) East & North Hertfordshire NHS Trust (2) Hertfordshire Constabulary (3) (2020).
• RH and Ors v Doncaster and Bassettlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2020).
• RD (GD) v Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust (2020).
• Awofodu v University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (2019).
• Dr M v Barking, Havering & Redbridge University NHS Trust (2019).
• Carter v Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (2019).
• Watts v North Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (2019).
• Sales-Lucas v Sheard (2019). 
• Holmes v West London Mental Health Trust (2018).
• Watts v The Secretary of State for Health [2016] EWHC 2835 (QB).
• William Long v Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust [2016] EWHC 0251 (QB).
• Julie Connolly v Croydon Health Services NHS Trust [2015] EWHC 1339 (QB).
• R (St Mary Magdalene Academy) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2015] EWHC 725 (Admin).
• R (JB Jamaica) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2015] 1WLR 1060.
• Marion Miller v Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust [2014] EWHC 3772 (QB).
• Ahmed Oukhellou v Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust [2014] EWHC 2303 (QB).
• Simon Samuda v Secretary of State for Work & Pensions [2014] 3 All ER 201.
• R (Gibson) v Secretary of State for Justice [2014] 1 WLR 2658.
• R (JB Jamaica) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2014] 1 WLR 836.
• Asmat Ali Shah v North West London Hospital NHS Trust [2013] EWHC 4088 (QB).
• Michael Gordon Matthews v Buckingham Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust [2013] EWHC 753 (QB).