Bates Wells

Public & Regulatory

Matthew is a Partner in the Public and Regulatory team at Bates Wells, with 30 years’ experience advising public and private bodies, regulators, charities, professional associations, and individuals across sectors including government, education, health, environment, and media.

He has acted in complex judicial reviews, statutory appeals, and human rights cases, and is a recognised expert in Public Inquiries and Inquests, having worked on high-profile matters including Grenfell, Savile, Equitable Life, Bloody Sunday, and the Westminster and London Bridge terror attacks.

Matthew also advises on public and regulatory law issues, including policy modernisation, statutory interpretation, information law, and Parliamentary Select Committee matters. He has extensive experience drafting primary and secondary legislation, statutory instruments, regulatory rules, and legislative amendments, combining legal expertise with practical insight into government and policy processes.

Partner, Bates Wells, 2023

Partner, BDB Pitmans, 2018

Partner, Bircham Dyson Bell, 2017

Partner, Capsticks Solicitors LLP, 2013

Employed Barrister, Central Government, 1999-2004; 2006-2013

Employed Barrister, Private practice, 2004-2006

Barrister (pupil and tenant), 1993-1999

Called to the Bar, 1993

Member of the Administrative Law Bar Association and of the Organising Committee of the Public Law Solicitors Association

Inns of Court School of Law, Bar Vocational Course, 1993

University of Oxford, BA (Hons) Jurisprudence (Law), 1992