Shoosmiths LLP

Matthew is a commercial litigator, primarily advising multinationals. He is dual-ranked by Legal 500 as a Key Lawyer for Commercial Litigation (London Dispute Resolution) and for Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity (London Risk Advisory) in 2024.

Matthew also leads Shoosmiths' cyber and contentious privacy practice. He acts on major data incidents, often on a global scale. He has published industry-leading guidance in this area, including Privilege in Cyber Investigations (PLC Practice Note (Maintained)) and in the Privacy & Data Protection Journal.

Recent experience includes:

• • Acting on an emergency basis for a major property management company in the wake of a ransomware incident resulting in system compromise and major data loss. Advising on regulatory liabilities, litigation risk, liability to counterparties and securing coverage from insurers.
  • Advising two defendant multinationals facing $70 million Commercial Court claims from selling shareholders following the sale of an underlying target. The claims involve complex share issuance mechanisms and loss modelling.
  • Acting for a major motor services company on an emergency basis following a national data incident. Coordinating regulatory response, liaising with counterparties, advising on mass notifications to data subjects, and defending ongoing class action litigation.
  • Advising two major insurers in Commercial Court proceedings concerning a $140 million tower of insurance. Insurers faced $70 million claims concerning class actions and regulatory fines arising from US cyber claims.
  • Essex County Council v UBB Waste (Essex) Limited [2020] EWHC 1581 (TCC): acting for the claimant in its successful £1 billion High Court claim for breach of a PFI contract against the operator of a major waste treatment facility.
  • Advising an ultra-high net worth individual in his defence of £600 million High Court proceedings for breach of warranty and misrepresentation as part of a sale of his business interests.