020 7242 4986 or 0333 240 0591 London | Birmingham | Cardiff
Matt is a public law barrister, whose clients range from government departments to parish councils.
His work includes advocacy in court and at public inquiries, investigations, reviews, training, public speaking and advisory work on a diverse range of public law issues, for clients across England and Wales.
He is a member of both the Attorney General's and the Equality and Human Rights Commission's C panels of counsel.
He is described as a "leading junior" in Administrative and Public Law in the Legal 500 (2020 Edition) and is nominated for the Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year 2019 award.
Matt is a public law barrister, whose clients range from government departments to parish councils.
Having joined Cornerstone Barristers in 2014, Matt has developed a busy and diverse public law practice.
In 2018, the Court of Appeal described his submissions as "excellent ... [made] with skill and moderation."
Before coming to the Bar, Matt worked for the London Borough of Camden and graduated with a First Class degree in English Literature.
In 2019, he was appointed to both the Attorney General's and the Equality and Human Rights Commission's C panels of counsel.
He is described as a "leading junior" in Administrative and Public Law in the Legal 500 (2020 Edition).
He regularly volunteers his time and expertise as a legal adviser to Positive East, a charity in the east end of London supporting people with HIV, regularly taking on cases with Advocate (formerly the Bar Pro Bono Unit) and supporting the Bar Mock Trial competition. He is nominated for the Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year 2019 award.
Matt regularly accepts instructions from individuals, organisations and residents' groups under the Bar's Direct Access scheme.
"Mr Lewin ... made excellent submissions ... with skill and moderation." Lord Justice Lewison, Lomax v Gosport Borough Council [2018] EWCA Civ 1846
"Through Advocate, he has greatly assisted the Shelter Specialist Debt Advice Service, offering representation, advice and his expertise in public law. They describe Matt as always approachable, friendly, prompt to respond and extremely generous with his time, as well as an asset to the Advocate service. Matt's clients are incredibly grateful for the work that he does for them, and note his quiet determination, emphathy and kindness as particularly remarkable." Advocate, Bar Pro Bono Awards nomination for Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year 2019
"I would just like to say a huge thank you for taking the time and effort to travel to Hereford today and supporting my case. I would also like to thank you for taking it on and all the hard work you put in, in such a short time."
"I am writing to sincerely thank you for your help regarding my mum's housing matter ... Thank you for your help at a very difficult time and the successful outcome. ... From the very first phone call to Cornerstone the service was outstanding at every stage."
"You have been so helpful, and wonderfully well-informed - very much appreciated."
"Just wanted to drop you a brief line to thank you very much for the advice. Just right and the Chief Executive was extremely impressed."
"Instructed on standards in public life issues." - The Legal 500 2020
Matt has developed a thriving practice in Planning and Environmental Law.
His clients include English and Welsh local planning authorities, parish councils, developers and residents' associations.
Matt is experienced in representing clients at public inquiries and in High Court litigation.
His recent work includes:
Matt has detailed experience in virtually all areas of housing law - including landlord and tenant, homelessness and allocations.
Before coming to the Bar he worked as a housing officer for the London Borough of Camden. He has also worked on secondment as an in-house lawyer for an ALMO in London.
He has particular expertise on the Public Sector Equality Duty.
Matt represented the local housing authority in the Court of Appeal in the case of Lomax v Gosport Borough Council [2018] EWCA Civ 1841, in which Lord Justice Lewison described his submissions as "excellent ... [made] with skill and moderation."
Matt has a busy and growing practice in licensing and works in virtually all areas of licensable activity: alcohol, regulated entertainment, taxis, gambling, sexual entertainment venues and street trading.
He is routinely instructed by licence holders, applicants, local authorities, the police and objectors.
Matt advises and represents his clients at hearings before committees, appeal hearings at the magistrates' court and Crown Court and in prosecutions.
Matt's recent licensing work includes:
Matt's practice extends to a range of civil and commercial litigation matters. He has acted in successful restitutionary claims and claims for breach of contract and was recently instructed by a local authority as a junior in a six-day trial in the High Court.
Matt is regularly instructed on applications for interim remedies, to advise, draft and appear at the hearing. Having spent some time on secondment to an in-house legal department, he has a strong grasp of the conduct of litigation, and is able to draft applications and claims from scratch, and at short notice, if required.
Matt is an experienced prosecutor on behalf of local authorities. His recent cases have included:
Matt is regularly instructed to bring and defend public law challenges in the Administrative Court, across all of his practice areas: Housing; Health and Social Care; Planning and Environmental; and Licensing. Matt is experienced in drafting urgent applications and grounds at short notice.
Among Matt's recent cases are:
• R (O) v Lambeth LBC [2016] EWHC 937 (Admin): Matt was instructed by the Claimant in a challenge to a children in need assessment
• R (Salwa) v Epsom and Ewell BC: Matt represented the successful local authority in a challenge to a refusal to provide interim accommodation pending review
• R (Barron) v Lambeth LBC: Matt represented the Claimant and successfully quashed the grant of a planning permission which would have led to the loss of an historic Brixton nightclub
Matt has a busy practice in information law, covering data protection, Freedom of Information and the Environmental Information Regulations.
He regularly advises and provides training for public authorities on their obligations under FOIA and EIR. He provides commentary for Lexis Nexis on these subjects and is a Level 1 trainer on Freedom of Information.
Matt is also a data protection specialist and was part of the Cornerstone team that advised the Government on the preparation of the new Data Protection Act 2018.
Matt represents companies, individuals in data protection litigation and has been busy throughout much of the last few years advising organisations on implementating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Matt has a particular expertise in local government law.
His practice encompasses almost everything local authorities do. His principal areas of work include:
Matt has developed a niche practice in local government standards. He is an experienced external investigator into complaints of misconduct against elected members.
He is regularly instructed to advise monitoring officers on standards and governance issues.
He was junior counsel for Devon County Council in a challenge to the Council's decision to sanction its former leader for sexual harassment of council staff.
25th May 2017
Matt Lewin has written a column for the Birmingham Post on the impact of General Data Protection Regulation on companies and the role of a data protection officer. Click here to read the full article.
3rd October 2016
Matt Lewin has written an article for The Planner in which he considers how the planning system can be used to protect night time economies under threat from regeneration and permitted development in town centres. Click here to read the full article.
1st March 2016
18th December 2015
Local Government Lawyer has reported the High Court decision to grant permission on all grounds to challenge the decision of Lambeth Council to grant consent for development which would have resulted in the closure of Club 414 in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton.
Jonathan Clay and Matt Lewin of Cornerstone Barristers are acting on behalf of the manager of Club 414.
Read the full article here.
2nd November 2015
Local Government Lawyer has reported on the decision by the owners of Club 414 in Brixton to bring a judicial review claim in relation to Lambeth Council's decision to grant planning permission for a change of building use.
Jonathan Clay and Matt Lewin of Cornerstone Barristers have been instructed to bring the claim on behalf of the owners.
1st November 2015
Matt regularly provides training to clients on public law issues. Recent topics have included the GDPR and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. He runs the PDP Freedom of Information Level 1 training.
News: Planning and Environment
Cornerstone Barristers Planning Bulletin - Issue 1
3rd April 2020
Welcome to the Cornerstone Barristers Planning Bulletin, a digestible summary of planning law and practice to help all those with an interest in the planning system to keep up to....News: Housing
Cornerstone Barristers Homelessness Briefing
23rd March 2020
This Briefing addresses particular issues raised for local housing authorities by COVID-19 in respect of their Part 7 homelessness duties and powers.
....News: Information Law
Data Protection: A guide for Mutual Aid groups
23rd March 2020
All over the country, neighbours are gathering together in Mutual Aid Groups to support people living nearby during this public health emergency. Some of those groups have asked questions about data....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review
High Court grants Extended Civil Restraint Order against Village Hall crusader
13th February 2020
Panton and Wilkins v Vale of White Horse District Council and Reed [2020] EWHC 167 (Ch)
....News: Information Law
Cayman Islands Data Protection Law
10th December 2019
For the next two weeks, Matt Lewin, a member of Cornerstone Barristers' Information Law team, is providing training to civil servants of the Cayman Islands Government on the Cayman Data....News: Public Law and Judicial Review
Crown Prosecution Service drops prosecutions against Extinction Rebellion protesters
28th November 2019
R (Jones and others) v The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police [2019] EWHC 2957 (Admin)
....News: Public Law and Judicial Review
Matt Lewin nominated for Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year
25th October 2019
We are proud to announce that Matt Lewin has been nominated as Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year for the Bar Pro Bono Awards 2019. We wish Matt good luck....Case: Housing
Court of Appeal: disability benefits are a form of "income" when assessing affordability
22nd October 2019
The Court of Appeal has refused permission for a second appeal in an affordability case, holding that the Supreme Court's decision in Samuels v Birmingham City Council [2019] UKSC 28....Case: Licensing
Driver with "clear pattern of inappropriate behaviour" towards children refused licence
27th September 2019
District Judge Dodd, sitting at St Albans Magistrates' Court, has dismissed the appeal of a private hire driver against a decision of Three Rivers District Council to refuse to renew....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing
Three reasons to look forward to the Cornerstone Housing Day 2019
24th September 2019
The annual Cornerstone Housing Day will be taking place on 2 October 2019 in Gray's Inn, London. Here are three reasons to look forward to it. First, it's an opportunity to catch....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Local Government
Mayor sanctioned for attending Remembrance Sunday event while drunk
19th September 2019
Durham County Council's Standards Committee has sanctioned the former Mayor of Ferryhill Town Council for attending a beacon-lighting ceremony on Remembrance Sunday while drunk. Cllr David Farry, who at the time....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Local Government
Parish councillor's challenge to sexual assault finding rejected by High Court
10th September 2019
The High Court has refused a parish councillor permission to apply for a judicial review of a decision to sanction him for sexually assaulting a fellow councillor. Cllr Christopher Horne was....Case: Licensing
5th September 2019
Whites Gentlemen's Club was one of just a handful of venues in Tower Hamlets to still hold a Sexual Entertainment Venue licence. It has operated on Leman Street in Whitechapel,....Case: Licensing
Court upholds revocation decision without conviction
8th August 2019
St Albans Magistrates' Court has upheld a decision of St Albans City and District Council to revoke the hackney carriage driver's licence of a driver who is due to stand....News: Licensing
Matt Lewin to speak at the IoL Taxi Conference
5th July 2019
Matt Lewin will speak at the Taxi Conference in Sheffield organised by the Institute of Licensing on Tuesday 9 July. In his talk, No smoke without fire? How to get it right....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing, Local Government
What exactly did the Supreme Court say in Samuels v Birmingham?
13th June 2019
Samuels v Birmingham City Council [2019] UKSC 28
....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing
PSED essential reading: lessons learned from L&Q v Patrick
30th May 2019
London and Quadrant Housing Trust v Patrick [2019] EWHC 1263
....Case: Planning and Environment
22nd May 2019
A Planning Inspector has refused planning permission for a gypsy and traveller site in the Green Belt in Runnymede. The council's longstanding failure to provide a sufficient number of pitches and....Case: Licensing
Stone Valley Festival given go ahead at 11th hour
20th May 2019
East Herts District Council has today granted a premises licence for the Stone Valley South Festival, which is due to open this Friday. This will be Stone Valley South's second year.....News: Public Law and Judicial Review
Four Cornerstone members appointed to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s panel of counsel
15th May 2019
We are proud to announce that Estelle Dehon, Matt Lewin, Riccardo Calzavara and Tara O'Leary have been appointed to the Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC) panel of counsel. Head of....News: Licensing
Licensing powers to tackle air pollution
27th February 2019
By Matt Lewin Since January, passengers taking a journey with Uber in London have been charged a "clean air fee" of 15p per mile. The money is earmarked towards helping drivers....News: Licensing
Why Councils need to urgently double-check their policies on CCTV in taxis
26th February 2019
By Matt Lewin In August 2018, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) published a short guidance note on the use of CCTV cameras in licensed hackney carriages and private hire vehicles. Following....News: Licensing
An exciting new era of taxi licensing reform
26th February 2019
By Matt Lewin It was as long ago as 1948, when the Town Police Clauses Act was a spritely 101 years old, that the Lord Chief Justice complained that taxi licensing....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing
18th February 2019
By Matt Lewin Homelessness Kannan v Newham London Borough Council [2019] EWCA Civ 57 The Public Sector Equality Duty continues to trip up reviewing officers. In this case, the Council's suitability review decision....News: Licensing
New taxi licensing laws to close the "cross-border" gap
12th February 2019
By Matt Lewin and Tara O'Leary Taxi and PHV licensing in England The government has today announced plans to introduce new legislation which will give licensing authorities greater powers to enforce standards....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment, Housing, Licensing, Information Law, Property, Commercial and Regulatory, Inquests and Inquiries, Court of Protection, Health and Social Care, Local Government
Riccardo Calzavara and Matt Lewin appointed to the Attorney General’s C Panel
23rd January 2019
We are proud to announce that the Attorney General has appointed Riccardo Calzavara and Matt Lewin to the C Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown for a period of....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Local Government
High Court rejects Councillor's unfairness challenge to sexual harassment finding as "unarguable"
22nd January 2019
Following a renewed permission hearing in the High Court on Tuesday 15 January, former Devon County Council leader, Cllr Brian Greenslade, has again been refused permission to challenge a finding....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Inquests and Inquiries
Coventry City Councillor breached Code by failing to declare property interests
14th November 2018
Coventry City Council's Ethics Committee has found that Cllr Rois Ali breached its Code of Conduct for members by failing to disclose numerous property interests in Coventry within 28 days....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review
Councillor refused permission in JR against sexual harassment finding
13th November 2018
A former leader of Devon County Council has been refused permission to proceed to a judicial review of the Council's decision to sanction him for sexual harassment of four Council....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing
PSED: four things every decision-maker needs to know
26th September 2018
By Matt Lewin The latest homelessness case in the Court of Appeal – Lomax v Gosport BC [2018] EWCA Civ 1846 (incidentally, my first case in that court) – is a....Case: Housing
New Court of Appeal case on PSED and 'general housing circumstances'
1st August 2018
The Court of Appeal has set out a six-stage test for comparing the position of a disabled person with the "general circumstances prevailing in relation to housing" under section 177(2)....Case: Housing
For the first time, Court of Appeal to consider section 177(2) of the Housing Act 1996 and the PSED
25th July 2018
Local housing authorities across the country are struggling in the face of a housing crisis. That fact forms part of the background to the case of Lomax v Gosport Borough....Case: Planning and Environment
PSED breach sees estate regeneration scheme quashed
22nd June 2018
In R (Buckley) v Bath and North East Somerset Council, the High Court has quashed an outline planning permission for a regeneration scheme because of a breach of the Public....News: Licensing
The End of Zero-Tolerance Approach to Drugs in Licensed Premises?
21st May 2018
By Matt Lewin A report published in March by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy Reform, Durham University, The Loop and Volte Face has called for drug safety testing....News: Planning and Environment
Response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee's inquiry on fracking
24th April 2018
Some of our planning barristers have responded to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee's inquiry into planning guidance on fracking. You can read the response here. Our barristers have extensive experience in....Case: Planning and Environment, Property
Landmark Court of Appeal judgment on use of publicly held land
16th April 2018
The Court of Appeal has given judgment in the long-awaited co-joined appeals of Timothy Jones v NHS Property Services Ltd & R(Lancashire County Council) v Secretary of State for Environment,....News: Housing
29th March 2018
It will not surprise anybody to hear that this has been a busy period for all those involved in housing. On a personal level, that has included a successful appearance....News: Licensing
Betting industry bracing over new government consultation on gambling
31st October 2017
Betting industry bracing over new government consultation on gambling
....Case: Planning and Environment
Court of Appeal to define the scope of the Commons Act 2006
4th October 2017
The Court of Appeal (Jackson, Lindblom and Thirwall LJJ) will today begin to hear three days of argument in the co-joined appeals of Jones v NHS Property Services Ltd and....News: Housing
Cornerstone Barristers Housing Newsletter August 2017
22nd August 2017
The Cornerstone Housing NewsletterAugust 2017 includes...Case: Housing
Council has "no case to answer" on EPA prosecution
2nd August 2017
Matt Lewin has successfully defended the London Borough of Wandsworth on a private prosecution brought by an occupier of one of its properties under section 82 of the Environmental Protection....News: Planning and Environment, Property, Licensing
Cornerstone Leisure Newsletter May 2017
24th May 2017
The Cornerstone Leisure Newsletter includes... Editor's Note - Josef Cannon Leisure development in the Green Belt – not all fun and games? - Martin Edwards Licensing Uber: Better the devil you know?....News: Housing
Cornerstone Housing Newsletter May 2017
4th May 2017
The Cornerstone Housing Newsletter includes...Case: Public Law and Judicial Review
Coventry Councillor censured for racial abuse
20th March 2017
At a hearing on 17 March 2017, Coventry City Council's Ethics Committee found that Cllr Jaswant Singh Birdi had breached its members' Code of Conduct by racially abusing a shopkeeper....Case: Housing
Is there always a public law defence to a possession claim brought by a public authority?
27th February 2017
Matt Lewin of Cornerstone Barristers has successfully represented the London Borough of Enfield in an application for summary judgment of a public law defence raised in a possession claim against....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment, Housing, Property, Licensing, Commercial and Regulatory
Cornerstone Leisure Newsletter February 2017
23rd February 2017
The Cornerstone Leisure Newsletter includes...News: Housing, Property
Cornerstone Housing Newsletter - February 2017
6th February 2017
The Editor Speaks - Andy Lane The Housing and Planning Act 2016 Update - Tara O'Leary Homelessness Reduction Bill update 2016/17 - Matt Lewin Neighbourhood Planning Bill 2016/17 - Liam Wells Recent Housing....News: Housing
Cornerstone Housing Newsletter - November 2016
3rd November 2016
Contents The Editor speaks - Andy Lane When is an applicant "significantly" more vulnerable than ordinary vulnerable? - Emma Dring Recent housing developments The current state of play in the Mayor of London's housing....Case: Planning and Environment,
Government grants permission for fracking in Lancashire
6th October 2016
In a landmark decision the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has today granted planning permission for shale gas fracking (hydraulic fracturing) at a site in Lancashire. The Secretary....News:
The Oil and Gas Authority Becomes an Independent Regulator
4th October 2016
As of 1 October 2016, the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) became the independent regulator for offshore and onshore oil and gas operations in the United Kingdom. The Cornerstone Hydrocarbon....News: Planning and Environment, Licensing
The Planner - We must do more to protect the night-time economy
3rd October 2016
Matt Lewin has written an article for The Planner in which he considers how the planning system can be used to protect night time economies under threat from regeneration and....Case: Planning and Environment
Court of Appeal to re-consider statutory incompatibility doctrine in village green cases
22nd August 2016
Ashley Bowes has secured permission to appeal for Mr Tim Jones, a local resident, against the judgment of Mr Justice Gilbart in NHS Property Services Ltd v Surrey County Council [2016] EWHC 1715 (Admin.)
....News: Planning and Environment
Brexit: Planning and the Environment Outside the EU
6th July 2016
The UK vote to leave the European Union raises significant questions around the potential impact on our domestic legislation. EU law is deeply embedded in our planning and environmental protection regimes.....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment, Housing
Cornerstone Barristers Special Edition Housing Newsletter: Housing and Planning Act 2016
31st May 2016
The Cornerstone Housing Team has produced a special edition newsletter to highlight the main issues arising from the Housing and Planning Act 2016. The newsletter includes: The Housing and Planning Act....Case: Planning and Environment, Licensing
Historic Brixton nightclub saved – for now
19th May 2016
Planning permission to redevelop Brixton's legendary Club 414 for retail and flats was quashed by consent in the High Court yesterday by order of Mr Justice GIlbart.
....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing
Cornerstone Housing Newsletter - May 2016
4th May 2016
The latest edition of the Cornerstone Housing Newsletter includes: Message from the Heads of Team – Kuljit Bhogal and Kelvin Rutledge QC Hotak, Johnson & Kanu one year on – Kelvin Rutledge....News: Planning and Environment,
Cornerstone Barristers in fracking inquiry underway in Lancashire
9th February 2016
The appeal brought by Cuadrilla against the decisions of Lancashire County Council to refuse planning permission for fracking developments in Lancashire has started this morning in Blackpool. Cornerstone Barristers' Estelle Dehon....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment, Licensing
Local Government Lawyer - Nightclub owner wins permission
18th December 2015
Local Government Lawyer has reported the High Court decision to grant permission on all grounds to challenge the decision of Lambeth Council to grant consent for development which would have....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment, Licensing
Club wins Round 1 of legal fight to save Brixton Night Spot
18th December 2015
The legal challenge to Lambeth Council's decision to grant planning consent for controversial housing development that would lead to the closure of one of Brixton's best known night clubs has....Case: Planning and Environment, Licensing, Health and Social Care
Local Government Lawyer: Nightclub owner wins permission
18th December 2015
Local Government Lawyer has reported the High Court decision to grant permission on all grounds to challenge the decision of Lambeth Council to grant consent for development which would have resulted in the closure of Club 414 in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton.
....Case: Planning and Environment,
Government to have final say on Lancashire fracking sites
27th November 2015
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government yesterday informed Lancashire County Council that the final decision on planning appeals concerning two fracking sites in Lancashire will be made....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Licensing
Local Government Lawyer - Nightclub owner seeks judicial review over permission for change of use
2nd November 2015
Local Government Lawyer has reported on the decision by the owners of Club 414 in Brixton to bring a judicial review claim in relation to Lambeth Council's decision to grant planning permission for....Case: Planning and Environment, Commercial and Regulatory
Cornerstone Barristers instructed in Brixton nightclub judicial review
22nd October 2015
Cornerstone Barristers' Jonathan Clay and Matt Lewin have been instructed by Louise Barron, owner of the legendary Club 414 in Brixton, in an attempt to save the club from closure after Lambeth Council granted planning permission for a change of use of the building from nightclub (sui generis) to A1 retail and residential.
....Case: Planning and Environment,
Cornerstone Barristers instructed on major fracking planning appeals in Lancashire
28th September 2015
Four members of Cornerstone Barristers have been instructed in the UK's first planning appeals in respect of proposals to develop wells and associated works to carry out high volume hydraulic fracturing (fracking) at two sites in Lancashire.
....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing
Cornerstone Barristers Housing Newsletter - July 2015
23rd July 2015
The latest Cornerstone Barristers Housing Newsletter includes...News: Local Government
Cornerstone on Councillors’ Conduct
26th June 2015
Cornerstone on Councillors' Conduct, the definitive guide to local government standards, produced by Cornerstone Barristers, goes on sale today.
....News: Planning and Environment
Court rulings send framework signals
4th August 2014
This article appeared in Planning Resource (subscription needed) on 25th July 2014. Several recent High Court cases involving housing proposals have considered the interpretation of paragraphs 14, 47 and 49 of....020 7242 4986 or 0333 240 0591
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