Matthew Ryder has been recommended as a leading practitioner in crime, police law and human rights by the two leading law directories for several years,
“An assured performer…Deftly combines charm and a formidable intellect to great effect.” (Chambers and Partners)
“Intellectually brilliant – a high court judge in the making” (Chambers and Partners)
“Exemplary in Court” (Legal 500)
“An excellent advocate who works hard and has the tenacity to pull out results…An exemplary junior with an impressive depth of knowledge on all aspects of police law. “Never one to miss a trick…” (Chambers and Partners)
“Good on his feet with an encyclopaedic knowledge” (Chambers and Partners)
“The most widely praised junior – a real star – combative, competent and charming” (Chambers and Partners)
“A strong favourite with clients” (Legal 500)
“At the junior end Matthew Ryder received the greatest volume of applause. A tenacious individual and a hard fighter. Peers praise him for his imagination and big case experience”. (Chambers and Partners)
Educated at Cambridge University (LLB) and Columbia University, New York (LLM), he qualified at the English Bar in 1992 and the New York Bar in 1997. He joined Matrix shortly before its launch in 2000.
He specialises in complex crime and its interplay with civil law, including judicial review, police law, and claims under the Human Rights Act. He has well-recognised expertise in terrorism cases, police powers including search warrants and production orders, and all aspects of surveillance law.
Matthew’s diverse practice ranges from those accused of terrorist offences, to companies and commercial clients seeking to challenge the actions of police and other public authorities.
His experience as an advocate is exceptional for a junior barrister, having acted as leading counsel in a number of the most highly publicised cases of recent years:
R v Khyam and others (Operation Crevice – the “Fertiliser Bomb Plot”)
R v A and S (First prosecution under Part III of RIPA – statutory requirement to disclose encryption codes engaging the privilege against self-incrimination, Court of Appeal)
R v Tharan and others (Trial of business man for alleged assistance to Tamil Tigers)
R v Barot and others (The “Dirty Bomb Plot”)
R v Khan and others (The “Soldier Kidnap Plot”)
R v Clay (Trial of ex police officer accused of voyeurism)
AU v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Judicial Review of control orders imposed on Libyan nationals)
Matthew is often instructed in advisory work at all stages in the criminal process, including the early stages of an investigation. He has recently advised the World Wildlife Fund on the closing of loopholes in criminal legislation; Inquest on amendments to proposed legislation; and he drafted submissions on behalf of the Bar Council during the progression of the Witness Anonymity Act 2008.
Over the last decade his notable cases have included: S and Marper v South Yorkshire Constabulary (challenging legislation on retention of DNA of acquitted persons – drafted submissions on behalf of Liberty); R v Sihali and others (“the Ricin poison plot”); Lawrence v Metropolitan Police Commissioner (representing the parents of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence); R v Regan and others (SFO prosecution of company directors); Farrakhan v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Article 10 challenge by UK and US political activists)
Matthew is the author of a number of books and articles on criminal law and human rights. He has lectured extensively on surveillance law, terrorism offences, abuse of process and telephone intercepts.
In 2009 he co-founded UKSCblog – the Supreme Court Blog launched as a joint venture between Matrix and Olswangs solicitors. He is currently the senior crime editor of that blog, and is also a regular contributor to national media, including the Observer and Radio 4’s Today programme.
In 2008 he was recognised by the Department of Communities and Local Government as a REACH national role model, and in 2009 he was one of the final nominees for criminal junior of the year at the annual Bar Awards.
Matthew was appointed a Crown Court Recorder in 2009.
In Michael Mansfield QC’s book “Memoirs of a radical lawyer” he described Matthew as “an assiduous lateral thinker”, following their work together on a number of cases. Matthew is currently instructed, with Michael Mansfield, defending in the prosecution of Inspector Ali Dizaei.