Matt Hutchings KC

Silk: 2017 | Call: 1993

Contact my clerk

Matt Hutchings KC
George Regan, Senior Practice Manager

Matt has a broad practice spanning the full range of chambers’ public law work, property, and commercial and regulatory litigation. He is the ideal barrister to advise in cases involving elements of commercial, property and public law.

Matt has several decades of experience in appearing before the High Court in both judicial reviews and commercial trials, as well as of appellate advocacy, including at the highest level.

Recent public law cases include Supreme Court briefs in R(Z) v Hackney, McDonald v McDonald, Hotak v Southwark and R(N) v Lewisham. He also appeared in the CJEU in R(Hemming) v Westminster. Matt has appeared before the Court of Appeal on dozens of occasions. He is currently instructed in R(Wilkinson) v Enfield, a case about London boroughs’ powers to dispose of public parks.

Recent trial work includes Rail for London v Hackney, a landlord and tenant dispute in the Chancery Division about the construction of a rent covenant, implied terms and estoppel by convention, Chalfont St Peter v Holy Cross, a claim in unlawful interference/unlawful means conspiracy arising out of alleged planning fraud, Southwark v London District Housing Association & ors, a multi-party claim for breach/evasion of planning obligations and the Building Act arbitration following the Supreme Court decision in Manolete Partners v Hastings.

Matt has a wealth of experience in commercial dispute resolution. For example, he has advised Merthyr Tydfil on the commercial aspects of the Ffos-y-Fran Land Reclamation Scheme, undertook a strategic review of multiple claims between Metropolitan Housing Trust, the University of Surrey and Research Park Developments involving issues relating to fire safety at a block of student accommodation, leading to a successful global settlement, and is currently advising Rail for London on a claim for rectification of a settlement agreement relating to a CPO compensation reference.

He frequently acts for or against the government as well as in disputes between private individuals and organisations, often in the development sector, and has a keen understanding of his clients’ commercial and strategic aims.

Matt is very active across the social housing sector, providing strategic advice to many London boroughs, particularly in the areas of regeneration, property, homelessness, and housing.

A significant part of Matt’s practice relates to highways and traffic management.

Matt offers advice that is strategic, practical and realistic.

In June 2016, Matt was appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown – A Panel. His appointment to A Panel ceased on being appointed silk in February 2017.

Expertise