3 Verulam Buildings‘ barristers are frequently instructed in complex domestic and international cases across the full gamut of banking and finance matters, as well as advising on a wide range of consumer issues. In a prominent work highlight, Matthew Hardwick KC , Ian Wilson KC and William Day appeared before the Supreme Court in the high-profile motor finance case concerning the legality of undisclosed or partially disclosed commissions paid by lenders to motor dealers in transactions. William Edwards KC was elevated to silk in March 2025. In the clerks’ room, Luke Carvalho joined as senior practice manager in July 2025 from Brick Court Chambers.
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Mentions
Profile
Position
Matthew Hardwick KC is a highly regarded commercial silk specialising in complex commercial disputes in the arenas of banking and finance, civil fraud, insolvency, company and professional negligence law. He is widely praised for his courtroomskills and “stardust” advocacy. Matthew regularly acts for clients offshore and has recently appeared in cases in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Dubai.
Matthew provides expert evidence on English law to foreign courts and tribunals (including New York, Hong Kong and Singapore).
Career
Commenced practice at the Bar in 1996. Appointed QC in 2014. Accredited CEDR Mediator. Certified Queen’s Counsel on the Roll of Legal Practitioners under the BVI Legal Profession Act 2015 (2016). Accredited advocacy trainer in training Gray's Inn students and pupils on the Gray's Inn Advocacy Programme.
Languages
Fluent French; German (working knowledge).
Memberships
Gray's Inn. COMBAR. Chancery Bar.
Education
Trinity College, Cambridge University (1991 MA); Elizabeth Bentwych Law Prize 1991; Hooper Declamation Prize 1991; Holland Fund Travelling Scholarship in Law 1991; Philip Wiener-Maurice Anspach Foundation Scholarship for post graduate study (European Law) at L'Université Libre de Bruxelles 1991; Institut d'etudes europeennes, ULB (Grand Distinction).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Matthew’s forensic and analytical skills are highly impressive. He can break down extremely complicated legal questions into a clear and understandable narrative.’