Identified as an “undoubtable star and a prodigious talent, possessing a peerless knowledge of the law and procedure, he is an effortlessly fluent advocate with a disarming manner who is loved by juries and judges alike‘ in the independent law guide, the Legal 500, and recommended as a "leader in the field" in "crime", "fraud" and "health and safety" by the independent directory of lawyers Chambers & Partners, Richard Matthews QC is described by his instructing solicitors and fellow barristers as a "phenomenon".
Following his first year in silk, Richard is ranked in the top tier of Queen’s Counsel for health and safety in Chambers & Partners and was declared Health and Safety Silk of the Year for 2011
Richard Matthews is an "...absolutely top-rank performer, he combines academic mastery with discretion and sound judgement". Chambers & Partners
Richard practises as Queen's Counsel from 2 Bedford Row, London, the leading criminal and regulatory chambers. He was educated at Girton College, Cambridge and was called to the bar in 1989. His expertise spans the breadth of criminal and regulatory law, particularly health and safety cases and gross negligence/corporate manslaughter, and he is truly regarded as a leader in these fields.
"His technical knowledge of the law and easy court manner make him an irresistible choice". Legal 500
Richard is a lawyer with considerable experience of representing corporations, directors and individuals facing a wide range of regulatory investigations and enforcement action, particularly health and safety, environmental and fire safety, but his experience extends to DEFRA prosecutions related to unlawful storage of pesticides and trade in ‘parallel products’. He has defended in a number of substantial video and computer software piracy cases and has previously acted in and advised on numerous police discipline tribunal hearings and professional discipline tribunals including pharmacy and dental.
Richard's criminal case experience ranges from quasi-regulatory to the most serious offences involving allegations of muli-million pound fraud, corporate manslaughter and murder.
Richard has a particular interest in human rights, and has recent experience in cases with European Convention of Human Rights aspects and advising in relation to European Directives incorporated into English law with criminal sanctions.
"...a real class act of immense quality. Matthews is also more than able to handle criminal cases of any nature..." Chambers & Partners
read more ...Richard has acquired an enviable reputation for his expert judgment when it comes to advising public bodies and corporate or private individuals in relation to investigations and/or prosecutions arising from their or other's commercial activities.
Possessed of a "flexible mind", it is said of him that "what he does not know about health and safety is not worth knowing" - Chambers & Partners
“He's a 'dream team' barrister," says one solicitor – "I have instructed him many, many times and will continue to do so; he's top of my list.” His practice blends defence and prosecutions briefs, and market observers enthuse about his "encyclopaedic" knowledge of health and safety law and his lovely courtroom manner with judges and juries. "He is an absolute class act, a down-to-earth, decent bloke, and a very formidable opponent." Chambers & Partners 2011 – 2012
