Park Square Barristers

Commercial & Chancery, Civil Fraud & Personal Injury

Property

Matthew Smith undertakes a variety of leasehold work including:

• Housing disrepair
• Dilapidations
• Breach of covenant
• PubCo work for both the Tied Pub Tenant and Pub owning businesses including MRO Notices and breach of tie injunctions

Matthew's practice also focuses on property fraud and dishonest property transfers; claims to and rights over land as well as the fraudulent construction, sale of property and first party fraud.

Casualty fraud

Matthew specialises in Casualty & Property Fraud and is ranked in Chambers and Partners (2024) for Motor Insurance Fraud.

In Casualty Fraud, Matthew heads the team in which he exclusively defends and has been at the forefront in the development of this ever-expanding area of law.

Matthew is also known for his effective and thorough cross-examination skills and has been consistently recommended in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, including Tier 1.

In large loss cases Matthew's focus is in cases involving allegations of fundamental dishonesty and/or disputes on liability.

The Property Fraud side of Matthew's practice focuses on dishonest property transfers; claims to and rights over land as well as the fraudulent construction, sale of property and first party fraud.

Matthew's practice is based upon Trials & Appeals. He is also happy to be instructed for CCMCs, interim injunctions and other contentious and substantive applications.

Matthew focuses on a client led service and is keen to expedite paperwork for pleadings, skeleton arguments and applications and and when required.

Matthew is a member of PIBA & PBA and regularly provides training in these areas.

If you would like to book Matthew for Court or paperwork, please contact his clerks.

Commercial & Chancery

Matthew has over 20 years' experience in contract and property disputes. This ranges from simple contract disputes to advice and representation under the 1975 Act and trust disputes between co-habitees.

In the recently reported case of Forster v RSA (2022), Matthew successfully obtained specific disclosure under the DPA 2018 regarding a case involving fraudulent misrepresentation allegations under a consumer contract.

Personal injury & clinical negligence

Matthew mainly represents defendant insurers in cases involving RTA, EL, PL & OL. He has a reputation for thorough and effective cross-examination as well as a nuanced understanding and skill with statute and regulation.

Matthew's involvement in large loss cases tends to involve allegations of FD or complex issues of causation.

In credit hire, Matthew tends to be involved in cases concerning misrepresentation and non-party disclosure. A recently reported case of his (Forster v RSA) provides helpful guidance concerning DPA issues in a misrepresentation case.

Matthew has been ranked as a Tier 1 advocate and provides advice and representation at all stages of a case.

Family finance

Matthew has over 20 years' experience in family finance, property and inheritance. This ranges from advice and representation under the 1973 & 1975 Acts to trust disputes between co-habitees.

A particular feature of Matthew's practice is his background and skill in civil litigation with an ability to thoroughly and effectively cross-examine witnesses.

Matthew has represented husbands and wives in high net worth financial remedies hearings from FA/FDR to Final Hearing as well as families in large Estate claims.

Property cases include straightforward TOLATA claims to complex leasehold, trust and estoppel cases.

Call 1996

Appointments: Circuit representative for the International Rule of Law Working Group

Personal Injury Bar Association Professional Bar Association

Durham University, BA Economics/Law (2:1)

Cambridge University, M.Phil