Matthew is regularly instructed in complicated public law proceedings involving allegations of the utmost severity. He has specific experience of cases involving allegations of:
He has particular interest in, and experience of, cases involving Human Rights Act claims and applications for judicial review within the context of proceedings involving children.
Matthew has been led on numerous occasions, and undertakes cases in which he appears against Queen’s Counsel in his own right.
Matthew represents parents (including through the Official Solicitor), local authorities, children (either through guardians or separately) and interveners at all stages of proceedings, including lengthy fact-finding and disposal hearings. He is recognised as being particularly sensitive when dealing with vulnerable clients, often when capacity is an issue.
Notable Cases
Re YY (Children: Conduct of the Local Authority) [2021] EWHC 749 (Fam)
Re P (Sexual Abuse: Finding of Fact Hearing) [2019] EWFC 27
The authority of Birmingham City Council v MM, FF [2018] EWFC 94
Wolverhampton City Council v JA & Ors [2017] EWFC 62
S Local Authority v UN and others [2016] EWFC 41
Re L (a child) Re Oddin [2016] EWCA Civ 173
Re V-Z (Children) [2016] EWCA Civ 475, [2016] All ER (D) 15 (Jun)
Re R (A Child) [2015] EWCA Civ 1581
S-P-H-O-S (Children) [2015] EWCA Civ 1131
Re T (Children) [2013] EWCA Civ 1836
Re M (A Child) [2011] EWCA Civ 1161
Re AB and CD (Threshold Criteria: Murder Investigation) [2021] EWFC 104
LLB (Hons): 2:1
BVC: VC
Public Access Accredited
Pupil Supervisor
Advocacy Trainer: Inner Temple
Advocacy Trainer: Midland Circuit
Recorder (public children, private children and financial remedies); Western Circuit, 2018-2022; Midland Circuit 2022 to date.
IFLA Arbitrator
Midland Circuit
Western Circuit
Inner Temple
Family Law Bar Association
Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Liberty
Navigating a minefield: adoption applications and conditional adoption orders: St Ives Chambers Article. For the full article click here
Parental order time limits: policy – what policy? (Family Law, Vol 44 No 12 2014 (pp 1653-1784).
Private law: A Catalogue of Errors, Family Law Journal, February 2014.
Adoption: A fresh approach? Family Law Journal, November 2013.
The Children and Families Bill: What to Expect. St Ives Chambers Article.
Chambers and Partners 2023: “He is one of my definite go-to barristers. Matthew provides excellent service and is always willing to go the extra mile.” “Matthew Maynard has got presence in the courtroom and his statements and analysis are excellent.” “Matthew is a very good advocate and well liked by clients.”
Legal 500 2023: “Matthew is a barrister of great talent, who manages to mix an in-depth knowledge of the law with strong advocacy skills and a personable approach to the clients.”
Chambers & Partners 2022: “He’s very issues-focused, always well prepared and has a great manner with clients.” “Matthew is straight-talking and gets straight to the point rather than making things more complicated than they need to be.”
Legal 500 2022: “He is a silk in the making.”
Chambers and Partners 2021: “He is one of the top barristers on the circuit. He is a true gladiator in his command of the courtroom. Not only is his written work impeccable, he is also a fearless advocate.”
Legal 500 2021: “A commanding presence in court whose attention to detail and preparation are always excellent.”
Chambers & Partners 2020: “He’s a great advocate with a real court presence, and is good with clients.” “He is extremely experienced and very calm.”
Legal 500 2019: “A charismatic and technically able barrister.”
Chambers & Partners 2019: “Always well prepared and able to make the most complicated of matters seem straightforward.” “A true giant in terms of the stature and quality of his work. He is calm and confident in his approach to cases.”
Legal 500 2018: “He has a reassuring client manner.”
Chambers & Partners 2018: “His expertise belies his years as a barrister. He is always well prepared and able to make the most complicated of matters seem straightforward. “The next star in children law and a brilliant advocate.”
Legal 500 2017: “Efficient at representing all parties in a care case.”
Chambers & Partners 2017: “Very robust, no nonsense and straight-talking.” “Good on his feet but also caring with wonderful client skills.”
Legal 500 2016: “He provides excellent advocacy and adopts a sympathetic approach with clients.”
Legal 500 2016: “A strong and versatile advocate.”
Chambers & Partners 2016: “He is incredibly prepared, thorough and authoritative in the way he comes across.” “He is junior but punches above his weight – I can give him a heavyweight case and know he has the gravitas to deal with it.”
Chambers & Partners 2015: “… destined for great things. A breath of fresh air.”
Legal 500 2014: “He never disappoints.”
Chambers & Partners 2014: “Noted by peers as a rising star in family law, handling both financial and children matters. Sources are quick to identify his client-facing skills and attention to detail.”
Legal 500 2013: “Junior Matthew Maynard has ‘excellent client skills’, and is noted for his ‘forceful advocacy’ and ‘thorough preparation’.”
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St Ives Chambers is particularly well known for its family law expertise, which spans family finance, children and care matters………. Other key areas include crime and regulatory, commercial, Chancery and banking matters……Legal 500
