Stuart Matthews is a Founding Partner and Head of Private Crime, based in our Oxford office.

He is recognised nationally as a specialist in private crime and is Head of the Private Crime Team at Reeds. He is consistently recognised as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500, which notes that he “is a class act who radiates calm confidence and has an ability to put people at ease, command respect, and get the job done without unnecessary fuss”.

Leading Partner - Reeds Solicitors - L500 2025

With a wealth of experience and national presence, he is instructed across the country in a range of criminal matters, with a particular focus on sexual offences and allegations of sexual misconduct.

Stuart is an expert in pro-active work at the investigation stage of a criminal matter. It is at this stage where evidential disclosure and detailed preparatory work frequently provokes early favourable disposals by police and CPS. Stuart regularly instructs King’s Counsel and Leading Juniors at an early stage which often helps to prevent a prosecution. Due to the absence of legal aid provision post-interview, criminal solicitors are traditionally reactive at this point. Stuart’s work demonstrates, however, that comprehensive and robust hands-on work can have a dramatic effect on the outcome of a case in a highly successful way, producing swift decisions by investigators as well as positive results for clients.

Stuart regularly represents Russell Group university students accused of sexual misconduct in internal university investigative and disciplinary processes. He has successfully overturned expulsions by way appeal to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator and has achieved favourable outcomes through early meticulous case preparation and evidence gathering, including instructing private detectives, securing CCTV evidence, and obtaining witness statements.

Stuart is instructed nationally as an expert in serious crime with a broad spectrum of general crime and regulatory cases. He appears in Magistrates and Crown Courts, dealing with Food Safety, Trading Standards, Licensing work and Health & Safety and litigates heavy-weight Crown Court cases such as serious sexual offences, frauds and murder.

Stuart’s devotion to client care and passion for providing a top-tier service to his clients has been at the core of the firm’s ongoing success. He has a long-standing and loyal client base in Oxfordshire, but his expertise is requested throughout the country.

Stuart is known for bringing utter commitment and focus to every case, with exceptional care and skill, such that during the course of his career he has been instructed in numerous high-profile cases, including Operations Bullfinch, Yewtree, Sands and Silk. His record in defending Modern Slavery cases is exceptional having been instructed in complex multi-handed cases by those who faced charges of slavery, servitude and forced labour.

In accordance with the Solicitors’ Regulatory Transparency Rules for motoring offences we confirm that Stuart Matthews charges Level A hourly rates.

For legal advice and representation from Stuart, please contact him using the contact information here, or through our contact page here. Alternatively, you can phone 0333 240 7373, or email us at info@reeds.co.uk.

Awards and Recognition of Stuart Matthews

Stuart has consistently been ranked in recent years by the Legal 500 as one of a handful of Leading Individuals specialising in crime in the South East.

Legal500 - Leading Individual - 2022 UK Leading Individual - Legal 500 - 2024