Matthew Claughton

Practice Areas

Olliers’ Managing Director Matthew Claughton is widely regarded as having steered the firm to its market leading position. He is the Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Criminal Lawyer of the Year 2023. Matthew understands the pressure faced by an individual under criminal investigation or prosecution. There are very few cases he has not dealt with. Matthew leads a team of over 35 lawyers and their level of expertise is such that he can match the right lawyer to the right client – every single time.

Matthew and his team act for clients facing serious criminal allegations, accusations of fraud, as well as those who may face criticism before professional bodies or during the course of public inquiry/inquest.

He leads the pre-charge team which has a nationwide client base and an outstanding track record. Here he sets out his approach to pre charge work:

“The most effective criminal lawyer is the one who prevents their client being charged. Never mind headline grabbing acquittals in the Crown Court, far better to avoid a prosecution in the first instance.

At Olliers, we specialise in representing clients through during the investigation stage of a case. It is what sets us apart. Our focus is on ‘pre-charge engagement’ and preventing prosecutions with successful representations against charge.”

Matthew is ranked as a Leading Partner by the Legal 500. He is the only lawyer to win the Manchester Legal Awards Partner of the Year award twice.

Career

2024: Manchester Crown Court – representation of man facing allegation of murder following fatal stabbing in Moss Side, Autumn 2023

2024: Manchester Crown Court representation of customer services representative employed by Manchester Metrolink following death of individual apprehended and restrained on Deansgate, Manchester

2023: Representation of client facing HMRC allegation into fraudulent evasion of excise duty payable on shisha tobacco. Following lengthy investigation, no further action taken.

2023: Representation of student facing rape allegation. Following pre-charge engagement and detailed representations against charge, decision made too take no further action.

2022: Representation of client facing four-year National Crime Agency investigation into allegations of large scale money laundering involving sums exceeding £30 million. No further action outcome late 2022

2022: Representation of emergency services worker facing rape allegations. During pre-charge engagement with investigators exculpatory material was provided to the police which led to an early decision to take ‘no further action’

2022: Representation of priest facing historic sexual offences. Following lengthy investigation together with representations against charge – no further action taken

2021: Representation of solicitor facing allegation of sexual assault on board an aircraft. Defendant acquitted at trial. Criticism of the police and prosecution at trial following lack of enquiries.

2021: Representation of defendant charged with murder following Bury shooting in August 2020.

Publications

https://www.olliers.com/news/revised-guidelines-on-disclosure-2024/

https://www.olliers.com/news/interview-bbc-the-times-channel-4s-russell-brand/

https://www.olliers.com/news/love-bombing-controlling-and-coercive-behaviour/

Awards