Region Area

Barristers

Ruth Matthews

Ruth Matthews

Guildford Chambers, South East

Work Department

Family Team

Position

Profile

Ruth joined Guildford Chambers as a tenant in October 2023 following successfully completing a family law pupillage at Guildford Chambers. Ruth specialises in family law and accepts instructions in Private Children, Public Children and Family Finance.

Prior to joining Chambers, Ruth worked as Judicial Assistance to both Lord Justice Peter Jackson and Lord Justice Baker in the Court of Appeal and also worked as a county court advocate.

Children – Private Law

Ruth regularly represents clients involved in private children proceedings and accepts instructions at all stages of proceedings. Ruth has represented clients in respect of contact, relocation, prohibited steps orders involving out of jurisdiction risks and in cases involving serious allegations of domestic abuse.

Children – Public Law

Ruth accepts instructions in public children proceedings and has represented parents in cases involving Special Guardianship Orders concerning contact, and in cases where allegations of substance misuse have been made.

Family Finance

Ruth is continuing to build a practice in family finance, and has represented clients at the early stages in family finance, including in conference and at first hearings.

Domestic Violence & Injunction

Ruth regularly represents clients who are involved in Family Law Act 1996 proceedings, including proceedings involving allegations of serious domestic abuse and where those applications are linked to Children Act 1989 proceedings. She has experience of applications for non-molestation orders and occupation orders and attends without notice hearings, return dates, directions hearings and final hearings.

Education

Brunel University, London – LLB Law, First Class with Honours

University of Law BPTC & LLM – Very Competent