The areas of work in which we have particular expertise, experience and excellence
The areas of work in which we have particular expertise, experience and excellence
Barristers
Call 2019
"He is excellent! Doesn’t miss a beat."
Matthew’s criminal advocacy has won the praise of judges and clients. His courtroom ability is supplemented by his public and immigration work.
Matthew accepts instructions both prosecuting and defending in the Magistrates’ and Crown Court. His cases cover the full gamut of criminal law including serious violent crimes, offensive weapons, domestic violence, sexual offences, fraud and dishonesty, drug offences and road traffic offences. He has also been successful for clients in proceedings relating to DVPOs, SHPOs and other orders.
Matthew has a growing practice in public law adjacent to his criminal practice and appears regularly in extradition and inquiry matters. Matthew also has experience of appeal work, producing advices and grounds for appeal to the Court of Appeal and High Court as part of his practice.
Before coming to the Bar, Matthew was part of the National Crime Agency’s legal team. He advised on public and serious crime, particularly RIPA/IPA, data exploitation, EncroChat, modern slavery and police powers. Matthew then moved to the Attorney General’s Office to lead the Annual Review of Disclosure 2021/22, writing the subsequent Disclosure Guidelines 2022. During his time at the AGO Matthew was seconded for a period to the crisis team dealing with international prosecutions stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
R v JC [2023] Luton CC
Successfully argued JC was a ‘Lesser Role’ in a PWITS A sentence despite a nil-report PSR and where the Crown had placed the matter in ‘Significant Role’ initially.
R v JD [2023] Huntingon CC
JD had deliberately driven an HGV at the complainant before crashing it into a building. Suspended sentence achieved despite finding of category 1A dangerous driving offence and judicial view that the vehicle had been used as a weapon.
R v BA [2023] Reading MC
Defended BA against two charges of battery against a father and his five-year-old son.
R v CL [2023] St Albans MC
Resisted a breach of sentence prosecution after successfully adducing late evidence which was opposed by the Crown.
R v PH [2023] Croydon MC
PH was found not guilty after trial of witness intimidation after cross-examination exposed a different account between the complainant and OiC leading to further disclosure which undermined the complainant’s account.
R v AA [2023] Westminster MC
Successfully defended AA against a s.5 Public Order Act charge where AA accepted calling the complainant a ‘Muslim c***’ and was captured on BWV.
Slovakia v GS [2023] Westminster MC
GS was sought on an accusation warrant. The Slovakian authorities requested GS to be tried for Fraud. Matthew resisted the request for extradition and was successful on two grounds: Article 8 (Right to Family Life) arguing GS was caring for his unwell wife and s.21A Extradition Act that the punishment potentially faced in Slovakia was disproportionate.
Matthew has been instructed on the Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan
As an adjunct to his practice Matthew has given advice to political bodies via the Bar Council Law Reform Committee.
Chambers are delighted to announce that following completion of successful pupillages, Siobhan Cawkwell and Matthew Keliris-Thomas have accepted invitations to join chambers.
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB)
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please click here.
Professional Qualifications
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