Matthew Howarth
Partner
Matthew is a commercial litigator and the Practice Group Head for our litigation and regulatory teams.
With over 30 years’ experience, Matthew regularly advises on complex, commercial, high-value claims including contractual disputes, warranty claims, pensions disputes and professional negligence claims, where he has substantial experience in advising both corporate and private clients.
A member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association, Matthew has acted for a variety of lenders including Paragon Bank PLC, Paragon Development Finance Limited, Shawbrook Bank Limited, Nationwide Building Society and Santander plc in professional negligence claims against solicitors and valuers. His work includes claims about property development schemes, secured lending disputes and residential and buy-to-let mortgages, concluding cases at trial and mediations. He also has significant experience in group actions brought by lender clients and regularly advises at early stages of claims as to the merits and strategies of potential disputes.
Matthew has both executed search and seizure orders and defended clients that have been served with them. He has further acted as a court-appointed supervising solicitor on the execution of such orders by other solicitor firms.
He has additional significant experience in commercial fraud-related claims, acting for clients in high-value and complex litigation and working closely with our highly skilled corporate defence and compliance team.
Matthew is recognised for his “very commercial” approach and expertise in commercial litigation and professional negligence by The Legal 500 and is also ranked by Chambers and Partners for his “solid track record of pursuing professional negligence claims surrounding property transactions and valuations against solicitors and valuers” as well as being “well-versed in handling litigation matters involving fraud and insurance”. He has been further recognised by Best Lawyers UK — a peer-reviewed ranking of top lawyers — since 2024 for litigation.
Matthew joined us in 2023 and is based in our Leeds office.
Recent work highlights
Joint venture development agreement
Acting for United House Group Holdings Ltd in a High Court action seeking declaratory relief over the construction of a multi-million-pound joint venture development agreement.
Joint venture agreement for retail property development site
Acting for a client in a multi-million-pound professional negligence claim against a City firm of solicitors regarding a joint venture agreement for a substantial retail property development site in London.
Claim against professional valuers
Acting for Paragon Development Finance Ltd in its claim against professional valuers regarding its £16m valuation of a purpose-built student accommodation site in Aberdeen.
New-build development
Acting for a client in a multi-million-pound professional negligence claim against a national valuation practice regarding a new-build development in the South West of England.
Option agreement regarding development land
Acting for a client in a multi-million-pound dispute against a national firm of solicitors over the drafting of an option agreement regarding development land.
Defending asset wealth management client
Acting for an asset wealth management client in defending claims brought against it regarding investment activities conducted for a client.
Recognised by
“Matthew has demonstrated outstanding legal expertise, strategic thinking and a deep understanding of complex commercial disputes.”
Client feedback, Chambers and Partners 2026
“Matthew Howarth is a really switched-on individual who brings a lot of energy and ideas to cases. He is very creative in solving difficult disputes.”
Client feedback, Chambers and Partners 2026
“Matthew Howarth's sector and commercial awareness sets him apart from others.”
Client feedback, Chambers and Partners 2026
“Matthew Howarth is ‘very commercial’ and acts for large corporations and high-net-worth individuals, with a focus on professional negligence and financial disputes... [he's] excellent on strategy.”
The Legal 500 2026
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