About Matthew
Matthew’s specialty is in pre-charge investigations and litigation. Matthew has particular experience acting in high-profiles matters, including cases involving members of the media, the entertainment industry, professional athletes, politicians, and regulated individuals.
Matthew has acted in a number of the most significant investigations of the past five years and has established himself as one of the country’s leading specialists in Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace investigations providing advice to both companies and individuals.
He’s also specialised in police station representation and acts for young people accused of serious criminal offences.
Matthew regularly acts for regulated individuals and company officers facing a criminal investigation, including in a number of significant SFO investigators and prosecutions.
Matthew combines his practice with academic work and he is the author of the leading practitioners’ texts on providing advice during a criminal investigation. He is the co-author of three books on police station law and procedure:
- Defending Suspects at Police Station
- Police Station Adviser’s Handbook
- Blackstone’s Police Station Handbook
He’s also the co-author of Legal Action Group’s ‘Police Station: Update’; on the editorial review board of The Criminal Law Review; and is the chair of Criminal Law Week: Live.
Matthew is ranked in Chambers UK and listed as Next Gen Partner in Legal 500 UK.
Insights from Matthew
Sir Brian Leveson’s review of the courts
Criminal Law Week
Pace Odyssey – Matthew Hardcastle quoted in The Law Society Gazette
Consent – a missed opportunity for an important discussion
When Inaction Becomes Criminal
Caution Needed – Private Prosecutions and Criminal Cautions
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