Matthew Simpson

Door Tenant

Introduction

Matthew practises in criminal law and the complementary areas of financial crime, regulatory proceedings, private prosecutions, licensing and court martial. Since he started practising Matthew has rapidly earned a reputation for building solid client rapport and delivering excellent results.

Matthew successfully completed pupillage at 9BR chambers before becoming a junior tenant. He has since moved back to his family home in the north east where he predominately practises on the North Eastern Circuit, but maintains an interest in work in London and the south east through a door tenancy with 9BR Chambers.

Expertise

General Crime

Matthew has a busy defence and prosecution practice in the Crown Court and Magistrates’ Court. He has experience across a range of offences including: fraud, proceeds of crime, firearms, drugs, violence, motoring and sexual offences. Matthew has experience as both prosecution and defence counsel in a variety of single and multi-defendant Crown Court trials.

Matthew has handled demanding cases involving considerations as to dangerousness, fitness to plead and mental health and young and vulnerable witnesses. Matthew has experience in dealing with Criminal Behaviour Orders, Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, and Proceeds of Crime related proceedings and associated orders. As a CPS Grade two prosecutor Matthew frequently advises on issues relating to disclosure.

Financial and White-Collar Crime: Defence

Having previously worked in the front office of a tier-1 US Investment bank, in an FCA registered position, Matthew is positioned well to advance his financial and white-collar criminal practice. He was recently instructed by a band 1 US white-collar law firm on a large scale multi-jurisdictional and multi-enforcement agency internal investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption. Matthew has also been instructed to assist a multi-national law firm defending two company executives accused of fraud, following the insolvency of a multi-billion dollar publicly listed healthcare company.

Financial and White-Collar Crime: Prosecution

Matthew has prosecution experience of financial criminal investigations through previous instructions for the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). Matthew spent over 24 months working for the SFO advising on disclosure, relevance and LPP on a fraud and money laundering case in the energy sector. Matthew gained valuable insights into the development of an SFO case from charge through to trial.

Regulatory & Inquiry Work

As a Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) Case Presenter, Matthew has experience of presenting cases relating to interim measures and substantive order reviews.

Matthew has recently received instructions through the Government Legal Department on the Covid-19 public inquiry.

Court Martial

Prior to being called to the Bar, Matthew served as an army infantry officer for over 5 years up to the rank of Captain; leading combat troops on overseas deployments, including multiple active operational tours. Aside from tactical command, he was also involved in overseeing soldiers engaged with internal disciplinary procedures, gaining an early insight into military justice, often attending court martial as an Assisting Officer. Matthew is therefore well placed to both understand military systems and quickly build quality client relationships with servicemen and women.

Firearms & Firearms Licensing

Matthew maintains a keen interest in firearms law, utilising his understanding of firearms from his time in military, as well as a personal interest as a licensed holder. Matthew appreciates that firearms law is often a challenging area of practice and enjoys bringing his knowledge and expertise to bear to deliver solid and well-reasoned advice and advocacy.

Notable cases

R v L, 2022

Prosecution counsel. Secured a conspiracy to burgle conviction after trial. Well organised group burglaries of multiple high-value residential properties throughout Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex. Trial involved adducing extensive cell site, mobile phone and ANPR data. Guildford Crown Court.

R v H, 2021

Robbery and attempted robbery sentence. Despite a sentencing categorisation with a start point of 4 years (range 3 – 6 years), alongside multiple aggravating factors, HHJ was persuaded to sentence significantly below the sentencing range, imposing a 2-year suspended sentence. Sentencing involved demanding issues relating to mental health and advice on vacating plea. Mitigation advocacy was described by HHJ as “really able”. Lewes Crown Court. News story here.

R v H, 2020

Plea and basis to handling stolen goods accepted on day one of domestic burglary and theft trial. Potential third strike domestic burglary sentence avoided. HHJ persuaded to sentence 20 months in custody. Wolverhampton Crown Court.

R v K and others, 2020

Five handed class B drugs production sentence. Basis accepted that the offending was lesser “gardener” role, despite evidence indicating potential for significant role. Client sentenced to 10 months. Norwich Crown Court.

R v S, 2020

Appeal to the Crown Court. Instructed as Prosecution Counsel, successfully resisted a defence appeal against conviction for using a mobile phone whilst driving. Isleworth Crown Court.

R v D, 2020

PWITS class B sentence. HHJ persuaded to sentence at bottom of SCGs to a 6-month SSO with no conditions, despite falling as significant role cat 3 on SCGs. Guildford Crown Court.

R v W, 2020

Special reasons hearing and sentence. Judge persuaded to sentence well below the SCGs to 5 penalty points and a £500 fine for driving 108 mph on a 60-mph road. Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court.

R v D, 2019

Mitigation for an aggravated burglary and two s20 GBH counts. Involved consideration and advice on complex basis of plea. PSR ordered to consider dangerousness. Offending fell at the top of the SCGs. Successfully avoided finding of dangerousness and a sentence below the top category SCGs start point. Sentence of 7 years 6 months. Inner London Crown Court.

R v M, 2019

Handling stolen goods trial. Cross examination of an officer on a voire dire, during trial, after Matthew identified continuity of evidence errors. Crown forced to offer no evidence after application to adjourn successfully opposed in light of previously unidentified evidence handling errors. Romford Youth Court.

R v L, 2019

Prosecution conviction secured in transphobic assault and criminal damage trial. Trial involved adducing evidence of multiple young and vulnerable witnesses and cross examination of young defendant. Special measures in place throughout. Maidstone Magistrates’ Court.

R v C, 2019

Stalking and breach of non-molestation order trial. Acquittal obtained on breach of non-molestation order after gaps in Crown’s evidence exposed during cross examination. Croydon Magistrates’ Court.

WHAT OTHERS SAY

instructing solicitors –

“I trust him to offer sound advice and build excellent rapport with clients”.

Senior Circuit Jude –

“Matthew is confident, clear and concise...he is the sort of barrister judges welcome having before them, which can only be to the advantage of his clients”.

Lay client –

“Matthew was well presented, knowledgeable and made me feel at ease throughout it all.”