Matthew Smith

Year of call:

1996

Education:

Whitby School

Durham University

Cambridge University

ICSL

Memberships:

Member of PIBA and PBA

Awards:

Matthew has over 20 years’ experience in family finance, property and inheritance. This ranges from advice and representation under the 1973 & 1975 Acts to trust disputes between co-habitees.

A particular feature of Matthew’s practice is his background and skill in civil litigation with an ability to thoroughly and effectively cross-examine witnesses.

Matthew has represented husbands and wives in high net worth financial remedies hearings from FA/FDR to Final Hearing as well as families in large Estate claims.

Property cases include straightforward TOLATA claims to complex leasehold, trust and estoppel cases.

Notable cases include:

  • W v H: a £mutli divorce with a foreign and trust element in which Matthew secured a very favourable judgment for the husband at the Final Hearing.
  • B v L: a large High Court estate claim under the 1975 Act concerning eligibility, proprietary estoppel and provision.
  • Lillian: an international property dispute concerning fitness to occupy, misrepresentation and waiver.
  • X v X: a case in which intervenors were joined and then discontinued.
  • Y v Y: an international big money case concerning hidden assets; disclosure and contempt.
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