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Matthew O'Grady

Matthew O'Grady

  • Called to BAR: 2010
  • Divorce
  • Family & Children
  • Inquests
  • Sports Law

Summary

An expert in all areas of Family Law and a Sports Law specialist, with a unique background in elite rugby union. Matthew is instructed in cases involving children’s welfare and the division of married and unmarried couples’ property after separation. Matthew is instructed in cases involving children’s welfare and the division of married and unmarried couples’ property after separation. Matthew has a unique background in professional rugby union and is instructed to represent players from a wide range of sporting backgrounds before disciplinary panels and in other regulatory environments. He also accepts instructions in cases concerning the welfare and finances of adults who cannot make decisions for themselves. He has appeared at all levels including the Court of Appeal without Queen’s Counsel and the High Court. He appears against senior family barristers and has appeared against Queen’s Counsel without being led himself. Matthew is very familiar with making urgent out-of-hours applications to the High Court for professional and non-professional clients. Practice areas: - Divorce - Separation - Sports law, discipline and regulation - Children - Court of Protection

Specialist areas of law include

  • Divorce
  • Family & Children
  • Inquests
  • Sports Law

Profile description

Sports Law Specialist

Matthew combines his work as a barrister and his experience at the top end of professional rugby union as an Aviva Premiership referee to provide a full range sports disciplinary and regulatory sports law service.  He can be instructed to advise and represent players across a range of sports and a range of experience, from renowned professional sportspeople to amateur athletes, in local and national hearings or arbitrations, with an obvious strength in rugby union.  He is very aware of the significant time pressures in these cases and players and clubs can instruct him at short notice without needing a solicitor.

He has a keen understanding of the needs of professional sports men and women experiencing separation and is often instructed to represent them in their family proceedings.

Matrimonial Finance

Matthew has a very busy practice representing husbands and wives in proceedings to divide their assets after separation, including in negotiations and multi-day final hearings.  Matthew has a particular interest in the forensic nature of this work.  He acts in cases of alleged fraud and those involving third party issues.  His experience includes successfully arguing for the non-recognition of nuptial agreements.  He advises foreign domiciled clients on the settlement of their financial disputes in England and recently appeared in the High Court for a German national, successfully securing her permission to apply for a financial remedy in this country.

He can provide his advice on the prospects of success in writing.

Unmarried Couples

Matthew is an expert in advising unmarried couples on the division of their property when they separate.  He also advises couples on living together, including the preparation of cohabitation agreements to decide how property should be divided if they separate in the future.

Children

Matthew has expertise in high conflict cases between parents, especially those involving extreme hostility from one parent towards the other where the Court contemplates changing where children live.  He regularly acts for mothers and fathers in fact finding hearings.  His experience includes sensitive cross-examination of children.  Matthew also receives instructions to represent children in these complex cases.

He enjoys cases with international dimensions, where one parent wishes to relocate a child to another country.

Court of Protection and Forced Marriage

Matthew receives instructions in welfare cases as well as finance cases in the Court of Protection.  His practice in forced marriage protection has included representing local authorities in the High Court and advising on cross-jurisdiction issues involving the Court of Protection.

Expertise in Other Areas of Family Law

Matthew is instructed in cases involving surrogacy and alternative family structures.  He continues to have a busy practice acting for local authorities, parents, interveners and children in public care cases involving complex issues including; sexual abuse, inflicted injuries on children and international law points.  This has included taking direct instructions from teenage children.  He recently represented a teenage child, through the Official Solicitor, in successfully resisting findings that she had inflicted a brain bleed by shaking her son.

Rugby Union

Matthew is a member of England Rugby’s Professional Match Officials’ Team.  When not in Court he can often be spotted officiating on live television.  He referees in the Aviva Premiership and Greene King IPA Championship.  He has officiated at the very highest levels of European Cup rugby, one of his most memorable occasions being Connacht’s dramatic and historic win over Toulouse in the European Champions Cup.  Amongst his officiating highlights are his involvement in Rugby World Cup 2015 and his overseas trips including to; Japan, South Africa, USA, Malaysia and the Dubai 7s. 

Testimonials

Natalie Ryan

“The speed and quality of the service was astounding. I was recommended two extremely qualified, competent experts to discuss my matter with and had a telephone consultation within 24 hours.” “The speed and quality of the service was astounding. I was recommended two extremely qualified, competent experts to discuss my matter with and had a telephone consultation within 24 hours.” Read more Read less

Ruth Clark

“I called Clerks Room Direct in February and two days later one of their barrister’s Stephen David, was representing me in court. From my first phone call to Rory I felt that I was in safe hands.” “I called Clerks Room Direct in February and two days later one of their barrister’s Stephen David, was representing me in court. From my first phone call to Rory I felt that I was in safe hands.” Read more Read less

Saleem

“The clerks were promptly aware of my requirements and were able to recommend a number of specialist barristers at competitive prices.” “The clerks were promptly aware of my requirements and were able to recommend a number of specialist barristers at competitive prices.” Read more Read less

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Contact Matthew today
  • Go direct to save on solicitors’ fees
    Go direct to save on solicitors’ fees
  • We’ll find the right barrister for you
    We’ll find the right barrister for you
  • 1000+ barristers: all direct access specialists
    1000+ barristers: all direct access specialists
  • Save up to 42% with fixed costs
    Save up to 42% with fixed costs
    • Matthew O'Grady
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