Matthew graduated from Leicester University with First Class honours in Law in 2004. After achieving a distinction in the LPC he qualified at Barlow Lyde & Gilbert in 2009 and moved to HFW in 2011. Matthew joined MFB in 2018 and was promoted to partner in 2019.
Matthew has a broad practice advising primarily on contentious matters across wet and dry shipping. He has particular expertise in the investigation and handling of disputes arising out of marine casualties including groundings, collisions and salvage cases. Over recent years Matthew has been closely involved in a number of high profile casualties including the "FRONT ALTAIR", "FORTUNA", "THORCO LINEAGE", “KEA TRADER” and “AGIA ZONI II”. His experience includes advising on complex transhipment and wreck removal operations as well as legal issues arising from limitation of liability, general average, unsafe ports, pollution and the carriage of dangerous goods.
Matthew also has extensive dry shipping litigation experience and has handled a wide range of disputes for shipowners, charterers, cargo interests and their respective insurers. He has advised on numerous cases arising out of vessel sharing arrangements, charter parties, bills of lading, pool agreements and sale contracts. Over recent years Matthew has also developed a detailed knowledge of cyber security issues in the marine market. He has a number of published articles on the subject and gives regular presentations to clients and industry groups on this, and other topics of interest.
