Email address
[email protected]Contact number
01483 514428Share profile
Band 3
Provided by Matthew Pascall
Media and communications law
Matthew played a central role in the successful resolution of the historic phone hacking litigation, which culminated in a significant settlement in January 2025. The case involved key claimants, including Lord Tom Watson and the Duke of Sussex, and marked a milestone in the battle for privacy rights and media accountability in the UK.
As the leading provider of after-the-event (ATE) insurance, Temple Legal Protection supported the claimants throughout the litigation. Matthew, with his extensive experience in commercial ATE insurance, worked closely with the legal teams representing the claimants, including David Sherborne of 5RB and other key legal experts from Hamlins and Clintons.
His expertise in navigating the complexities of high-profile media cases allowed the legal teams to secure a settlement without the financial risk typically associated with such high-stakes litigation.
Matthew’s role was instrumental in ensuring that the claimants could pursue justice without the fear of significant financial burden. Through his guidance, Temple’s ATE insurance allowed the claimants to challenge powerful media organisations with confidence, ultimately leading to the landmark settlement.
The case also saw News Group Newspapers issue an unprecedented apology, acknowledging the unlawful activities of private investigators hired by its journalists.
• General commercial litigation
• Commercial Disputes
• Professional Negligence
• Property Litigation
• Shareholder Disputes
• Insolvency Litigation
• Media and Communications
• Financial Mis-selling
• Public Law
• Competition Law
• Construction Disputes
• Arbitration Insurance
• Contentious Trusts and Probate
• Intellectual property disputes
• Contractual disputes
• Group actions
• High court employment disputes
Matthew was called to the Bar in 1984 and joined Guildford Chambers two years later. Spending more than 30 years in practice there, he was listed as a Legal 500 Tier One barrister.
He joined the commercial team at Temple Legal Protection as Senior Underwriting Manager in 2017 and was appointed to Temple’s Board in December 2022 as Legal Director and Head of Commercial.
Matthew's knowledge of the commercial legal sector and litigation practice is invaluable to the business and Temple’s clients; providing specialist experience to lead their commercial litigation insurance team and providing Temple’s customers with resilient, effective and transparent insurance cover.
• Practising barrister employed by Temple Legal Protection
• Member of the Middle Temple Inn of Court
• Full Rights of Audience
• Areas of practice - commercial and financial services
Provided by Chambers
Matthew Pascall joined Temple Legal Protection in 2017 and now serves as legal director. Pascall is a highly experienced commercial barrister and leads the commercial litigation team at Temple.
Provided by Chambers
Matthew Pascall has excellent technical knowledge and is able to ask challenging questions which iron out difficult legal points and make you think outside the box. He is a pleasure to work with.
Matthew Pascall is a very technically gifted individual who takes the time to learn the case the solicitor is looking to bring so that he can offer the best product at a competitive rate.
Matthew Pascall has excellent technical knowledge and is able to ask challenging questions which iron out difficult legal points and make you think outside the box. He is a pleasure to work with.
Matthew Pascall is a very technically gifted individual who takes the time to learn the case the solicitor is looking to bring so that he can offer the best product at a competitive rate.