Matthew Stanbury

Practice

Public law
Matthew undertakes judicial review cases across the spectrum but most particularly within his prison law practice. He acts regularly for claimants in relation to parole refusals, adjudication decisions, categorisation, discrimination, delayed hearings and denial of coursework. He also advises on claims of unlawful detention and applications for habeas corpus.

Instructed on applications arising from criminal proceedings including committals to prison, decisions to prosecute, and appeals by way of case stated.

Prison law
His practice covers the full range of prison law work including parole and recall hearings for lifers, hearings for determinate-sentenced prisoners and representation at adjudications.

Crime
A junior practitioner covering a full range of criminal defence work in the Crown Court and Magistrates' Court. Regularly instructed on cases involving serious violence, firearms offences, sex offences, and fraud.

Extensive experience of representing juveniles in trials in both the Youth Court and Crown Court.

Inquests
Experience of inquests and pre-inquest hearings for bereaved families and keen to expand practice in these areas.

Notable cases

• R (oao Manhire) v SSJ [2009] EWCH 1788 (Admin). Held, inter alia, that the refusal to downgrade a Zimbabwean national prisoner to Category D was unlawful in light of his low risk and the improbability that he would be removed from the UK. > Judgment
• R V Doncaster Youth Court [2009]. Acted on behalf of two children challenging their committal to the crown court in respect of a high-profile very serious attack upon two other young children.
• R (Smith) v SSJ and the Parole Board [2008] EWHC 2998 (Admin). Held, inter alia, that the Parole Board has a duty to case manage oral hearings. > Judgment
• R V Welford [2008] All ER (D) 79 (Nov). IPP sentence overturned out-of-time. The Appellant had served his tariff and had recently been refused parole.
  

Background

Previously a tenant at Bank House Chambers in Sheffield. Matthew is a Public Access Barrister.