Matthew R. Crowe
Call 2013
'Matthew is extremely intelligent and very thorough in everything he does. He always makes sure the client is the priority during inquest proceedings’
Legal 500
EXPERTISE
Business & Property Litigation
Matthew specialises in advising and representing clients in property and commercial matters, applying robust and forceful Crown Court jury advocacy experience developed in the early stages of his career where needed. Matthew thrives on cases involving complex legal questions. Matthew’s main areas of practice include:
- Property: unlawful forfeiture and relief from forfeiture; landlord and tenant (commercial and residential); easements/rights of way;
- Trusts and TOLATA;
- First-tier and Upper-tier Tribunals, including the Property Chamber and Tax Chamber;
- Directors disqualification;
- Contractual disputes;
- Licensing.
Before joining Chambers, Matthew worked at a leading commercial litigation firm in Toronto, Canada named Lenczner Slaght LLP. He advocated in and worked on cases including a high profile three-month inquest into the police shooting of three mentally-ill persons, to a defamation claim by Canadian businessmen against a newspaper in India and a claim against the Cuban government.
Matthew undertook a commercial (under Simon Goldberg) and crime pupillage (under Caroline Goodwin QC). Matthew was regularly instructed in criminal matters during pupillage. Matthew appeared in Courts across the country (including London) in cases ranging from complex frauds prosecuted by a QC, terrorism cases and large gang cases. Matthew developed a particular specialism in white collar crime.
Matthew regularly delivers CPD accredited seminars on commercial litigation, including most recently in a seminar entitled “I want to break free: relief from sanctions”.
Civil Liberties & Human Rights
Matthew has been appointed by the Attorney General to the Government’s Panel of Counsel. He receives regular instructions to represent government departments in cases of complexity and sensitivity.
Matthew has a wide range of experience in human rights law. Matthew has worked and advised on several significant cases both domestically and internally, including matters involving countries as diverse as Bangladesh, Cuba, Libya, Ukraine and Uganda. Matthew co-authored two book chapters that were published in authoritative texts by Oxford University Press and Palgrave Macmillan. Matthew’s human rights practice now focuses heavily on human rights claims against the government and actions against the Police (including unlawful detention), for which Matthew is able to draw on his expertise in criminal law. Matthew also handles death in custody cases.
Licensing
Matthew accepts instructions on all licensing matters, particularly relating to property, alcohol and firearms. Matthew appears in licensing matters before Tribunals, Magistrates' Courts and Crown Courts.
APPOINTMENTS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Deputy District Judge (2022)
- Attorney General's Regional B Panel of Counsel (2023)
- North Eastern Circuit Commercial Bar Association
- External Member, Northumbria Centre for Evidence and Criminal Justice Studies
PUBLICATIONS
W. Jordash QC and M. R. Crowe, ‘Evidentiary Challenges for the Defence: Domestic and International Prosecutions of International Crimes’, in E. van Sliedregt and S. Vasiliev, Pluralism in International Criminal Law (OUP, 2014).
W. Jordash QC and M. R. Crowe, ‘Comparing Fairness and Due Process at the SCSL with the ad-hoc Tribunals: The Consequences for Transitional Justice’, in K. Ainley, R. Friedman and C. Mahony (eds) Evaluating Transitional Justice: Accountability and Peacebuilding in Post-Conflict Sierra Leone (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015).
Environmental Law Review Update, Sage Publications.This is a quarterly publication written by members of Trinity Chambers and Newcastle University. It addresses the changes in environmental law over the preceding quarter with accompanying commentary.
‘The International Criminal Court and Maidan’, UCMC November 2015 (and others).
Other miscellaneous publications.
AWARDS
- The Pegasus Scholarship
- Harold G. Fox Scholarship
- The Queen Mother's Scholarship
- The Middle Temple Certificate of Honour
- Miscellaneous University Awards and Prizes
EDUCATION
- Academic Visitor (2013-14), University of Toronto
- M Law (BPTC), Northumbria
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Matthew is qualified to accept instructions direct from businesses and individuals, ask a member of the clerking team if you have a direct access enquiry.
Until recently, Matthew was a Consultant for Global Rights Compliance LLP, which is an advisory firm specialising in international human rights, humanitarian and criminal law and business and human rights. Its work includes advising the Council of Europe, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and foreign states.
Matthew lectures at local universities and judges a number of moots including the international FDI Moot, the international Jessup Moot and others.
Steve Walker
Lead Civil Clerk
Steve joined Trinity Chambers in 2018 as Civil Clerk. He has worked in the legal industry for over 20 years, initially as a Litigation Executive at a number of firms in Manchester and then, from 2004, as a Clerk at leading sets in Manchester, London and Newcastle. Having worked as a litigator for many years prior to becoming a clerk, Steve is acutely aware of the pressures Chambers’ clients work under and goes out of his way to ensure the service they get from Chambers goes beyond that of our competitors.
As well as day to day management of the civil diary Steve is heavily involved in business development and client relationship management for the Civil Team. He is always more than happy to discuss with clients how Chambers, Members of Chambers and the Clerks might tailor the service we offer to best suit your needs.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Trinity has a really good clerking team. I deal mostly with Steve Walker, lead civil clerk, who is a pleasure to deal with. He and the rest of his team are very approachable and responsive.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Steven Walker is excellent.’
‘Steve Walker and Paul McNab are always friendly, approachable and make excellent suggestions as to which counsel may be best suited for a particular matter.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Steve Walker has a very good knowledge of the market. He is a very helpful clerk.' 'Steve Walker is very responsive and helpful.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Steve Walker has always been efficient and helpful.’ ‘All of the clerks are responsive and helpful. Steven Walker is superb.’ ‘Steven Walker will go above and beyond for his clients ensuring that instructing solicitors are matched with the right barrister matching their skill set for the matter.’ ‘Clerking is first class. Steve Walker and Josh Stewart-Tilling provide a quick and helpful service.’
Chambers & Partners 2022
'Steve Walker is responsive and very helpful.' 'Steve Walker is very hard-working and does a good job looking after the barristers.' 'Steve Walker is very proactive, easy to talk to and will sort things out if we need any help.'
Legal 500 2022
'Steve Walker is excellent. He takes the time to understand the problem and works around the clock to ensure expectations are met.'
Josh Stewart-Tilling
Lead Employment Clerk & Civil Clerk
Josh joined Trinity in 2020 as a Clerk on the Civil team after working for 5 years in business management. The transferable skills gained have enabled him to make this change in career and given him the chance to revert back to his university degree in Philosophy and Theology.
Within the Civil clerking, Josh heads up the clerking of the Employment Law team.
Outside of Chambers Josh enjoys playing football and following his beloved Newcastle United where he has had a season ticket since he was a young boy. He also enjoys playing music as part of a band, predominantly playing drums but plays piano and sax as well.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'The service from the clerks is first rate. There is never any delay in replying to correspondence and they are always very helpful. Josh Stewart-Tilling is the lead employment clerk.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Paul McNab, Aimee Bloxham and Josh Stewart-Tilling are always on the end of the phone or email to help us find barristers with availability, even at short notice.’
Legal 500 2023
‘Clerking is first class. Steve Walker and Josh Stewart-Tilling provide a quick and helpful service.’
Aimee Bloxham
Civil Clerk
Aimee joined Trinity in 2021 as a Junior Clerk within the Civil team, after 1 year of working as a litigation paralegal in a well-regarded, Newcastle based law firm. Here she developed an eye for detail and great organisational skills, moreover she gained a sound understanding of court procedures and litigation paperwork.
Aimee achieved a first-class BA (Honours) degree in Children and Young People from Newcastle College University Centre in 2019. She completed a dissertation on the advantages and challenges of standardised testing in primary schools and comparatively researched the difference between testing in both Year 2 and Year 6. While studying for her BA degree, Aimee worked in a nursery for 2 years where she was able to enhance her communication skills and teamworking abilities.
Outside of chambers Aimee enjoys walking her dog along the beach, socialising with friends, and travelling.
Legal 500 2024
‘Paul McNab, Aimee Bloxham and Josh Stewart-Tilling are always on the end of the phone or email to help us find barristers with availability, even at short notice.’
Paul McNab
Civil & Criminal Silks' Clerk (Leeds)
Paul joined Trinity Chambers in March 2020 following the closure of Zenith Chambers.
Paul has a wealth of experience in the legal profession having commenced his career in the late 80's and qualified as a legal executive in the early 90's whilst working for one of the countries largest criminal law firms dealing with serious criminal cases before moving to Number One Fountain Court in Birmingham as the Senior Clerk. Following the merger of Number One with St Philips Chambers in 2002 Paul became the Senior Criminal Clerk looking after what was then the largest criminal team in the country at the time.
Paul took almost a decade away from clerking during which he was the Chief Executive of an International Law firm specialising in domestic and international public law and human rights law adding a range of business and management skills to his CV before returning to the Bar in 2017 as the Senior Civil Clerk at Zenith Chambers in Leeds.
Away from chambers Paul can be found packing down in the second row although he has been on the verge of "retirement" from club rugby for the last three seasons but as a former club captain it's difficult to let go. When Paul does hang his boots up he plans to start learning to play the guitar again. When not playing rugby Paul is a season ticket holder at Wasps RFC and religiously follows Ireland Rugby home and away where possible where he enjoys the occasional "sociable pint"!
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Paul McNab is always available, commercial and pragmatic.'
'Paul McNab, clerk, is the go-to person. If Paul can't do it no one can. He is the finest clerk I have worked with. He's an asset to the chambers.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Paul McNab, Aimee Bloxham and Josh Stewart-Tilling are always on the end of the phone or email to help us find barristers with availability, even at short notice.’
‘Steve Walker and Paul McNab are always friendly, approachable and make excellent suggestions as to which counsel may be best suited for a particular matter.’
‘Paul McNab is always available and always willing to assist where he can.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Paul McNab, clerk, is excellent and has never let me down.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Clerks are approachable and accommodating.’‘Paul McNab – contactable, adaptable, and provides a good service.’‘Paul McNab is responsive, professional and knowledgeable.’
Chambers & Partners 2022
'Paul McNab is an excellent clerk. He's responsive, reliable and personable.'
Chris Gibbin
Clerk (Middlesbrough)
Chris had over 9 years experience as a Senior Clerk in a barristers chambers in Middlesbrough before joining Trinity Chambers. Prior to that Chris worked in the Lord Chancellors Department, now HM Courts and Tribunals Service, at Teesside Combined Court Centre for over 10 years. During that time Chris covered most areas but the majority of his experience was gained in dealing with Criminal and Family Law matters. Chris’ latter years in the LCD were spent in the Listing Office at Teesside Crown Court where he developed his skills which ultimately saw him transferring to his role in a barristers chambers.
Chris is a member of the Institute of Barristers Clerks.
Outside of work Chris enjoys playing cricket for Marske Cricket Club in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League, watching football and rugby and socialising.
Legal 500 2024
‘Liam Gorman and Chris Gibbin are always on hand to deal with last minute issues, and have an excellent working relationship with local courts.’
Legal 500 2022
'Chris Gibbin is an extremely helpful and experienced clerk.'
'The Teesside branch is spearheaded by Chris Gibbin who is extremely helpful and efficient.'
Chambers & Partners 2022
'I cannot fault the clerking services – Chris Gibbin in Middlesbrough is very helpful, offers prompt responses and is always willing to assist.'
Alyson Hailes
Criminal & Regulatory Clerk
Alyson has a wealth of experience having Clerked at a neighbouring set for 29 years. Day to day Alyson is responsible for the Management and development of our Criminal Teams diaries. Over many years of Clerking the in North East Alyson has very strong relationships with local Solicitors who know they can rely upon her for a very high level of service.
Away from work Alyson enjoys family holidays and has had a season ticket for Newcastle united since being a child.