Practice Overview

Matthew joined Exchange Chambers’ Manchester family team following the successful completion of his pupillage in January 2026 at another set.

He has a busy practice across all areas of family law, with particular experience in public law and private law children proceedings and Family Law Act matters. He is regularly instructed on behalf of parents and children before all tiers of tribunal, and has acted as a second junior to leading counsel on behalf of a local authority.

His cases often include complex matters such as parental responsibility, internal relocation, and enforcement applications, as well as serious allegations of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, chronic neglect, and drug and alcohol misuse. He also regularly represents young and vulnerable clients and is experienced in adapting his approach to ensure proceedings are conducted fairly and sensitively.

Recent cases include successfully resisting an application by a local authority to remove children into foster care at an opposed interim hearing; opposing and defeating applications for child arrangements and parental responsibility; and successfully obtaining findings leading to the making of protective orders for a client and her children.