Matthew Howarth

Call To The Bar: Call To The Bar: England & Wales Call to the Bar: 2016 and Northern Ireland: 2020

Matthew is wise beyond his years, he quickly gets to grips with the issues in a case, and he produces clear, concise, jargon-free written and oral advice which is appreciated by solicitors and clients alike. He has a very good manner with clients and his advocacy is articulate, pointed, and very effective both in his questioning and submissions.’ Tier 1 Business and Regulatory (inc H&S) – Legal 500, 2024

‘Matthew is an intelligent advocate who is good at getting to the core of a legal issue. A clear, concise, persuasive, and approachable barrister.’ Tier 1 Immigration – Legal 500, 2024

Recommended in Legal 500, 2024 – Crime (General and Fraud)

Matthew started practice in 2014 with the Banking and Finance litigation team for one of the World’s largest law firms, Baker & McKenzie.

During his early practice Matthew defended a large FTSE 100 Company as part of the LIBOR Scandal. He has extensive experience in Fraud and Financial Crime as a result, with a vast experience in dealing with complex issues arising from Legal Professional Privilege.

Joining Chambers in 2016, Matthew has sought to develop a practice that encompasses Public Law and Regulatory. He also has a strong criminal fraud and POCA practice.

As a result, he has gained numerous prestigious appointments that make him stand out amongst his peers at the Bar. He has a strong practice on behalf of HMRC, the Government Legal Department and the Serious Fraud Office. Recently he was instructed as a junior counsel in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse, and assisted in a Judicial Review for the Victim’s Rights Group ‘Hacked Off’ following the Phone Hacking Scandal.

He has vast experience of dealing with complex Judicial Reviews applications and POCA matters, Regulatory offences and mainly Fraud (including VAT and MTIC). He sits on the Attorney General’s specialist Panel of Counsel, the Serious Fraud Office Panel, Regulatory Panel and is a specialist CPS POCA Prosecutor. He has extensive experience defending in these areas also. He is currently defending a multi-handed transfer of firearms and Class A PWITS matter in Nottingham.

Recently Matthew has been appointed to the National Safeguarding Panel to offer legal advice on behalf of Sports Resolution

In 2020 Matthew was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland.

Financial Crime, Fraud & POCA

Public Law (Immigration and Judicial Review)

Civil Cases

Disciplinary/Safeguarding/Professional Negligence

Regulatory Law & Road Traffic Offences

Summary of Appointments

2022 – appointed to the National Safeguarding Panel to offer legal advice on behalf of Sports Resolution.

2021 – Serious Fraud Office – Panel C appointment

Crown Prosecution Service – Level 3 General Crime Panel Appointment and Level 2 POCA Panel Appointment

2020 – Attorney General Specialist Panel of Civil Counsel – C Panel

Level 2 Serious Crime Prosecution Panel CPS

Call to the Bar of Northern Ireland Michaelmas Term 2020

2019 – Specialist Regulatory Panel C Prosecution Advocate (Environment Agency and Health & Safety Executive)

2017 – Public Access Qualified.

‘Matthew was Junior for the Northern Circuit in 2019 and currently sits on the Northern Circuit Executive Committee as Representation on the Bar Council https://www.northerncircuit.org.uk/about-us/circuit-officers/’