Email: PracticeStaff_TeamX@matrixlaw.co.uk
Matrix has strong expertise in this specialist field, where its overlapping and intersecting expertise in public law, human rights and criminal law is reflected particularly strongly.
Members of Matrix, including Helen Mountfield, Professor Aileen McColgan and Mathew Purchase have been involved in election petitions at every level, from scrutiny to full Divisional Court hearings including the Winchester general election petition, Knight v Nicholls, Belle Vale and the Bordesley Green petition.
Members of the public law and crime teams have advised donors, parties, political organisations, politicians and public authorities including returning officers and the Electoral Commission, on issues arising from election legislation, including the Political Parties, Elections and Reforms Act 2000. Members of the crime team represented parties in the so-called ‘cash for peerages’ investigation and the MP’s expenses enquiry.
Matrix has also been involved in leading election cases in the European Court of Human Rights. Rabinder Singh QC represented the government in Hirst (No 2) v UK in the Grand Chamber; and Helen Mountfield represented the Equality and Human Rights Commission (intervening) in Greens v UK, on the consequences of the non-implementation of that judgment.
Aiden O’Neill has expertise in this field in Scotland. He represented the Appellants in Smith v Scott [2007] SC 345 and XU v The Scottish Ministers & Others [2007] CSIH 45 on the non-implementation of Hirst (No 2) in Scotland.
Finally, members of Matrix have been involved in diverse other election law issues. For example, Helen Mountfield has advised on a number of equality issues concerning elections, including all-women shortlists; on consequences of spending during election periods by non-aligned campaigning organisations, and on libel allegations against returning officers; and Thomas Linden QC and Helen Mountfield have appeared in cases concerning trade union election ballots.