Reeds Solicitors

Private Crime Team

Partner, Solicitor-Advocate

Stuart Matthews is a Founding Partner, Solicitor-Advocate and Head of Private Crime at Reeds Solicitors. Based in the Oxford criminal defence team, he is instructed nationally in serious and sensitive criminal cases, with particular expertise in sexual offences and allegations of sexual misconduct.

Stuart is ranked as a Leading Partner in the Legal 500 and has been described in its editorial commentary as “a class act who radiates calm confidence and has an ability to put people at ease, command respect, and get the job done without unnecessary fuss”.

He specialises in proactive defence during the investigation stage. His work includes obtaining and analysing evidence, preparing detailed representations and instructing leading counsel at an early stage, often with the aim of preventing charges from being brought.

Stuart also represents university students accused of sexual misconduct in internal investigations and disciplinary proceedings. He has successfully challenged expulsions through appeals to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator and achieved favourable outcomes through early evidence gathering, including obtaining CCTV and witness statements.

His wider practice encompasses murder, rape, fraud, drug conspiracies, firearms offences, modern slavery and complex regulatory prosecutions. He has acted in numerous high-profile cases, including Operations Bullfinch, Yewtree, Sands and Silk, and regularly represents clients in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court and Court of Appeal.

Areas of expertise

Pre-charge representation; sexual offences; university disciplinary proceedings; murder; fraud; drug conspiracies; firearms offences; modern slavery; regulatory prosecutions; serious motoring offences.

English