Matthew Innes

Call: 2022

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Matthew Innes is a practical and tenacious junior with a broad commercial and chancery practice, covering all of Chambers’ core areas of expertise, notably civil fraud, commercial, probate, company, insolvency, property, and trusts disputes. He is often instructed in disputes where these areas overlap. He regularly appears as counsel, both as sole and junior counsel, in the High Court, the County Court, and other tribunals.

Clients appreciate Matthew’s straightforward but good-humoured approach to civil litigation. He aims to help them find a way through both the human and strategic elements of bringing or defending a claim. In court, he is a robust advocate, unafraid to appear against considerably more senior opponents. He has been successful, as sole counsel, in applications for interim freezing relief, disclosure orders, summary judgment, and the striking out of statements of case.

Matthew also enjoys working as part of larger teams of lawyers, including leaders both within and outside Chambers. He is happy to roll up his sleeves and get stuck into complex factual or legal material, whether in litigation or other forms of dispute resolution, including as counsel in mediation.

Before coming to the Bar, Matthew completed a DPhil at University College, Oxford. He is a published historian, with a monograph on early modern French history published by Oxford University Press in 2026. In 2023 he was awarded a Senior Scholarship by Gray’s Inn, the Inn’s most prestigious scholarship, ‘awarded to pupils of exceptional merit‘.

Areas of Expertise

Work involving allegations of fraud, including allegations of forgery, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, dishonest assistance, and the misappropriation of assets, is a core element of Matthew’s practice. He appears regularly in both the High Court and the County Court in claims for final relief as well as applications for interim relief including freezing injunctions, passport orders, and disclosure orders.

Recent Cases

  • Acting for the respondent to a section 994 claim including an application of interim injunctive relief. The underlying claim involves allegations of forgery, the deliberate destruction of evidence, and deliberate diversion of corporate opportunities.
  • Acting (led by James Weale KC) for the successful defendants, in respect of a claim (1) seeking financial provision under the 1975 Act (2) bringing a testamentary challenge against the mother of the First Claimant and the First Defendant, and (3) seeking to set aside various dispositions on the basis of undue influence and/or sham. The defendants successfully established that the claim had been brought on the basis of a forged document and in the context of serious disclosure failing by the claimants, with indemnity costs awarded accordingly (instructed by Weightmans LLP).
  • Assisting Matthew Morrison KC, instructed by the claimants (in liquidation), in a Quincecare / Tugu claim against a bank arising out of a US$100m Ponzi scheme operated by the claimants’ former directors (instructed by Triay Lawyers). The proceedings, which settled in the course of the trial on confidential terms, raised significant questions about the extent of a bank’s corporate knowledge; the interaction between regulatory anti-AML duties and Quincecare duties; and the implications of the decision of Lord Sumption in the HK CFI in Tugu.
  • Advising the former shareholder and director of a BVI company owning UK real property in respect of the wrongful acquisition of the share capital in the BVI company by the client’s former legal advisor (instructed by Appleby).
  • Acting for the defendants in a counterclaim seeking to set aside the purported last will of the deceased on the basis of fraudulent calumny and/or undue influence.
  • Acting for the beneficiaries in an action for an account in the context of historic misappropriation of trust property under a will trust.
  • Advising a seller of commercial property facing a threatened claim for fraudulent misrepresentation relating to the property’s rental yields.
  • A fraudulent misrepresentation claim relating to investment in a limited company.
  • Assisting in the preparation of an urgent High Court injunction relating to funds misappropriated via an online banking scam. Proceeds of funds permitted by that institution to have been misappropriated from investors as part of a Ponzi scheme.
  • Assisting Gareth Tilley with applications for forfeiture of bank accounts holding the proceeds of pandemic-related fraud under Part 5 of POCA 2002.
  • Assisting Matthew Morrison KC with matters arising out of a freezing injunction made against several respondents, the main one being the difficulties caused by the respondents’ bank refusing to permit transactions to proceed without the claimant’s consent.
  • Kea Investments Limited v Wikeley Family Trustee Limited – Assisted Gareth Tilley in advising the claimant victim of a worldwide conspiracy in the form of allegedly fraudulent claims and demands in the courts of Kentucky and the BVI brought by the trustee of a New Zealand trust.
  • Assisting Sophie Holcombe with a derivative claim in respect of funds said to have been misappropriated from a company by way of purported management fees paid out to companies controlled by the two main directors.

Matthew acts in a broad range of commercial work, including commercial disputes involving fraud, banking, company and insolvency law, and real or personal property. He has experience in a wide range of commercial matters, such as disputes relating to the sale and supply of goods, investment disputes, and franchise disputes (including disputes regarding franchise renewals).

Recent Cases

  • As sole counsel, acting for the respondent to an application for a springboard injunction brought into the context of an unfair prejudice petition in a quasi-partnership company. Matthew successfully opposed the applicant’s claim to be entitled to open-ended springboard relief pending trial of the claim, with the judge (Mr Tom Smith KC, sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge), preferring Matthew’s submission that the only appropriate period of restraint was for the period of 3 months post-resignation, which had been offered in open correspondence.
  • Advice in respect of damages for fraudulent misrepresentation, including proceedings arising from the claimant’s purchase of land from the defendant, and proceedings relating to a purported joint venture on the basis of which the claimant was induced to commit his time to the benefit of the defendants.
  • Assisting Matthew Morrison KC, instructed by the claimants (in liquidation), in a Quincecare / Tugu claim against a bank arising out of a US$100m Ponzi scheme operated by the claimants’ former directors (instructed by Triay Lawyers). The proceedings, which settled in the course of the trial on confidential terms, raised significant questions about the extent of a bank’s corporate knowledge; the interaction between regulatory anti-AML duties and Quincecare duties; and the implications of the decision of Lord Sumption in the HK CFI in Tugu.
  • Assisting Thomas Elias, acting for the claimants (represented by Virtuoso LLP), in a High Court Claim for copyright infringement, trade mark infringement, and passing off in the context of a contractual dispute for the sale and purchase of company shares.
  • Acting in a breach of warranty claim in respect of the defective supply of software.
  • Acting for a defendant to a claim for unpaid invoices in a long-term supply contract involving a dispute as to the conditions precedent to the claimant’s entitlement to payment.
  • Advising the purchaser of a dental practice in respect of a breach of warranty claim against the seller.
  • Advising in respect of a potential unjust enrichment / breach of contract claim by a consultant who supplied services and industry know-how on the strength of a promise of an equity stake in a startup.
  • Acting in respect of various claims for unpaid invoices, including claims in the construction and materials sectors.

Company law is a core element of Matthew’s practice. He is happy to accept instructions in matters relating to directors’ duties and shareholders’ rights, including derivative claims and unfair prejudice petitions. He often acts in claims involving allegations of fraud or other misconduct by directors. Matthew has particular experience of disputes relating to family-run companies and disputes involving co-founders of businesses. He also accepts instructions in respect of the enforcement of restrictive covenants, including applications for urgent interim or springboard injunctions. He is a contributing editor to Tolley’s Company Law Handbook.

Recent Cases

  • As sole counsel, acting for the respondent to a section 994 petition including an application of interim injunctive relief. The underlying claim involves allegations of forgery, the deliberate destruction of evidence, and deliberate diversion of corporate opportunities. Matthew successfully opposed the applicant’s claim to be entitled to open-ended springboard relief pending trial of the claim, with the judge (Mr Tom Smith KC, sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge), preferring Matthew’s submission that the only appropriate period of restraint was for the period of 3 months post-resignation, which had been offered in open correspondence.
  • Acting for the directors of a startup company responding to a section 994 petition brought by their fellow co-founder, whose shares were converted to deferred shares of nil value following allegations of non-performance amounting to gross or wilful neglect.
  • Acting for the defendants in respect of a claim relating to the historic operation of a quasi-partnership agricultural company. The claimant threatened a section 994 petition relating to alleged inequality of benefit derived by one brother and his family from the company in comparison to the other two brothers and their families.
  • An application for rectification of the register of members of three companies pursuant to section 125 Companies Act 2006, their sole director and shareholder having died and there being no other basis in the respective companies’ Articles of Association for the appointment of a replacement.
  • Advising a trust company (with a grant of letters of administration), subject to potential Bartlett duties, as to its potential remedies in respect of historic misfeasance by the directors of a company held as part of the deceased’s estate, including a potential derivative claim, as well as its rights pursuant to the Table A model articles.
  • Advising the third party respondents to an application for specific disclosure made in the context of a shareholder dispute as to whether a proposed resolution was ‘frivolous or vexatious’ pursuant to s. 303(5) Companies Act 2006.
  • Assisting Thomas Elias, acting for the claimants (represented by Virtuoso LLP), in a High Court claim for copyright infringement, trade mark infringement, and passing off in the context of a contractual dispute for the sale and purchase of company shares.
  • Advising the former shareholder and director of a BVI company owning UK real property in respect of the wrongful acquisition of the share capital in the BVI company by the client’s former legal advisor (instructed by Appleby).
  • (During pupillage) Assisting Gareth Tilley with drafting submissions for an UNCITRAL arbitration involving questions of reflective loss and contractual compromise.
  • (During pupillage) Assisting Thomas Elias and George Vare in the preparation of defences in two overlapping unfair prejudice petitions in relation to the conduct of two family businesses.
  • (During pupillage) Assisting Sophie Holcombe with a derivative claim in respect of funds said to be have been misappropriated from a company by way of purported management fees paid out to companies controlled by the two main directors.

Matthew has a strong contentious trusts and probate practice. He has experience of a wide range of onshore and offshore private client matters, including 1975 Act claims (including applications under section 4 to extend the six-month limitation period), estate administration disputes, will validity claims, and issues regarding capacity. A real strength of his practice is his ability to combine trusts and probate expertise with his experience in company, property, insolvency, and commercial disputes.

Much of Matthew’s work involves advising in respect of potential will challenges, often including allegations of undue influence, fraudulent calumny, or other dishonest conduct.

Matthew also often acts for executors, administrators, and trustees in respect of potential claims by them or in respect of the estate or trust property.

Matthew is a contributing author to Practical Law Private Client, with articles on removing trustees and flee clauses.

Recent Cases

  • Perry v Trident Trust Company (Nevis) Limited: assisting Richard Wilson KC in respect of the claimant’s claim that testamentary powers of appointments had been exercised in his favour.
  • Acting (led by Constance McDonnell KC and Amy Proferes) for the claimant in a claim for an equity by proprietary estoppel and a testamentary challenge to the wills of the claimant’s late father, in the context of a substantial agricultural property (instructed by JMW Solicitors LLP).
  • Acting for the claimant cohabitee of many decades in a 1975 Act claim which settled on the first day of the four-day trial in the Business and Property Courts in Bristol. The defendant executors and beneficiaries, daughters of the deceased from her previous marriage, denied both the claimant’s standing as a cohabitee (alternatively, as a person maintained by the deceased) and his need for reasonable financial provision. The claim involved allegations of domestic abuse against the claimant as well as allegations of financial irregularity in both directions.
  • Acting (led by James Weale) for the successful defendants, in respect of a claim (1) seeking financial provision under the 1975 Act (2) bringing a testamentary challenge against the mother of the First Claimant and the First Defendant, and (3) seeking to set aside various dispositions on the basis of undue influence and/or sham (instructed by Weightmans LLP).
  • Advising a beneficiary of a trust of land created for the co-ownership of a caravan site in respect of a potential application for removal of the sole trustee and/or an order for sale of the land subject to the trust.
  • Acting for the deceased’s children, who had been excluded from his will, asserting a proprietary claim to the proceeds of sale of shares held in the names of the children and/or to the assets of the SIPP to which those proceeds were transferred.
  • Advising on the rights of surrogate children under a pre-1950 trust instrument and on the implications of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008.
  • Advising the administrator of a substantial estate in respect of various claims being brought by or against numerous of its onshore and offshore corporate entities.
  • Advising a trust company (with a grant of letters of administration), subject to potential Bartlett duties, as to its potential remedies in respect of historic misfeasance by the directors of a company held as part of the deceased’s estate.
  • Advising the beneficiaries of an Italian national domiciled in the UK, with assets in both the UK and Italy, in a will validity and administration dispute.
  • Advising the executor facing claims by the deceased’s father and sister in respect of sums advanced to the deceased pursuant to a mortgage in the name of the deceased and his father.
  • A challenge to the validity of a will on the basis of fraudulent calumny and/or undue influence upon the deceased caused by his apparently estranged children.
  • A claim against the trustee of a family will trust for an account.
  • Acting for executors in a claim against one of the deceased’s creditors.
  • (During pupillage) A proprietary estoppel / unjust enrichment claim arising out of promises made to the claimant by the deceased but not given effect in the deceased’s will.
  • (During pupillage) Issues relating to a reserved power provision in a trust instrument.
  • (During pupillage) An issue as to whether a trustee’s exercise of a power of addition would constitute a fraud on a power.

    Matthew’s practice often has an offshore element, working with local counsel. He is frequently instructed in disputes involving trust and corporate structures and allegations of fraud, particularly in the Caribbean. Matthew has particular expertise in relation to the offshore ownership of companies, particularly in respect of the implications of the dissolution of offshore companies (either by way of escheat or vesting as bona vacantia) on UK real property.

    Recent Cases

    • Advising the former shareholder and director of a BVI company owning UK real property in respect of the wrongful acquisition of the share capital in the BVI company by the client’s former legal advisor (instructed by Appleby).
    • Perry v Trident Trust Company (Nevis) Limited: assisting Richard Wilson KC in respect of the claimant’s claim that testamentary powers of appointments had been exercised in his favour.
    • Assisting Matthew Morrison KC, instructed by the claimants (in liquidation), in a Gibraltar Quincecare / Tugu claim against a bank arising out of a US$100m Ponzi scheme operated by the claimants’ former directors (instructed by Triay Lawyers).
    • Advice to the ultimate beneficial owners of a property in South-West London, held via a BVI company, following the dissolution of the holding company.
    • (During pupillage) Kea Investments Limited v Wikeley Family Trustee Limited – Assisted Gareth Tilley in advising the claimant victim of a worldwide conspiracy in the form of allegedly fraudulent claims and demands in the courts of Kentucky and the BVI brought by the trustee of a New Zealand trust.
    • (During pupillage) Drafted advice as to the proper construction of reserved power provisions in a trust instrument.

    Matthew regularly acts for debtors, creditors, and office-holders, including in respect of winding up and bankruptcy petitions as well as applications for relief under sections 238, 239, and 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

    Recent Cases

    • Re Vertical Future Limited (in administration). Matthew acted for a creditor opposing the former Joint Administrators’ application to fix the basis of remuneration in accordance with rule 18.23 of the Insolvency Rules 2016.
    • Acting for a liquidator seeking a change to the basis of his remuneration pursuant to rule 28 of the Insolvency Rules 2016, the creditors having failed to fix the basis.
    • Manolete Partners plc v Anslow and another (2026). Matthew acts for the assignee bringing claims against a company’s former director and a company of which he is the sole shareholder. The claimant seeks relief in respect of payments alleged to have been made or caused to be made by the director in the period prior to insolvency. The claims include claims in debt, claims for breach of trust and/or fiduciary duty, and relief under sections 238 and 239 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
    • An application to vary the basis of remuneration for trustees in bankruptcy.
    • Assisting James Mather in advising creditors as to potential proprietary remedies in respect of deposits paid to an insolvent yacht builder.
    • Acting for a director facing allegations of misfeasance under section 212 Insolvency Act 1986.
    • Applications to set aside statutory demands and to restrain presentation of winding up petitions.
    • Preparing applications for relief under section 127(1) Insolvency Act 1986.
    • Preparing applications for relief under section 238 Insolvency Act 1986 relating to transactions at an undervalue to former directors.
    • Work on an application for directions by a creditor faced with multiple alleged but unparticularised competing claims to the insolvency estate.
    • (During pupillage) Lemos v Church Bay Trust Company Ltd [2023] EWHC 2384 (Ch) – Assisted Thomas Elias and Andrew Gurr in the successful defence of a claim under s. 423 Insolvency Act 1986.
    • (During pupillage) Assisting Michael Walsh KC in advising on a complex matter involving questions of land registration, probate, bankruptcy, and co-ownership.

    Matthew is developing a specialist Property practice, including landlord & tenant work, rights of light, leasehold enfranchisement, and conveyancing disputes. His Property work often overlaps with one or more of his other areas of practice, especially Company, Insolvency, and Probate work. He has a particular interest in applications to re-vest property that has escheated or vested as bona vacantia following company dissolution.

    Recent Cases

    • Acting (led by Constance McDonnell KC and Amy Proferes) for the claimant in a claim for an equity by proprietary estoppel and a testamentary challenge to the wills of the claimant’s late father, in the context of a substantial agricultural property.
    • Acting for the defendants in respect of a claim relating to historic land dealings (involving connected company claims) between three brothers. The claimant sought to set aside a historic division of land between the three brothers on the basis of undue influence.
    • Advising a beneficiary of a trust of land created for the co-ownership of a caravan site in respect of a potential application for removal of the sole trustee and/or an order for sale of the land subject to the trust.
    • Advising the defendant to a potential claim for an equity by proprietary estoppel in respect of a family farm by a claimant in receipt of substantial provision under the deceased’s will.
    • Advising a seller of commercial property facing a threatened claim for fraudulent misrepresentation relating to the property’s rental yields.
    • Advising a landlord of commercial premises in respect of the tenant’s application for relief from forfeiture.
    • Advising a landlord of a high-value residential property in respect of potential forfeiture of the tenant’s lease.
    • Acting for the defendant in a claim challenging the amounts paid under freehold covenants intended to fund the maintenance in a housing development.
    • Acting for the successful applicant in an application under section 859M for the rectification of the Register of Companies to correct material inaccuracy of the registered particulars of a charge.
    • Acting (pro bono) for a residential tenant in a claim by the landlord for arrears of rent, involving a counterclaim for disrepair and for breach of the deposit protection requirements.
    • (During pupillage) Mynott v Mynott – Assisted Michael Walsh KC in a two-day land registration trial in the FTT concerning adverse possession over unregistered land.
    • (During pupillage) Thomas v Sonnystone Investments Limited – Assisted Michael Walsh KC in the CCMC for a High Court claim arising out of the disposition of a director’s shareholding in a company, together with land owned by the company, in which the claimant seeks a declaration that he retained a beneficial interest in the land transferred subsequent to the sale.
    • (During pupillage) Assisting Michael Walsh KC with an urgent interim injunction to restrain the respondent from interference with the applicants’ property.
    • (During pupillage) Assisting Michael Walsh KC in County Court possession proceedings.
    • (During pupillage) Assisting Michael Walsh KC in advising on a complex matter involving questions of land registration, probate, bankruptcy, and co-ownership.
    • (During pupillage) Representing a residential landlord in the tenant’s application to set aside a default judgment.

       

      Recent Cases

      • Led by Matthew Morrison KC, advice to liquidators in respect of the failure by auditors of several segregated portfolio companies to identify the existence of a $100m plus fraud.
      • Assisting Matthew Morrison KC, instructed by the claimants (in liquidation), in a Quincecare / Tugu claim against a bank arising out of a US$100m Ponzi scheme operated by the claimants’ former directors (instructed by Triay Lawyers). The proceedings, which settled in the course of the trial on confidential terms, raised significant questions about the extent of a bank’s corporate knowledge; the interaction between regulatory anti-AML duties and Quincecare duties; and the implications of the decision of Lord Sumption in the HK CFI in Tugu.
      • Acting for the defendant bank in a claim relating to allegedly mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI). Matthew was successful in seeking orders, at successive hearings, for default judgment to be set aside and for summary judgment to be entered against the claimant on limitation grounds.
      • Acting for the successful applicant in an application under section 859M for the rectification of the Register of Companies to correct material inaccuracy of the registered particulars of a charge.

      Recent Cases

      • Led by Matthew Morrison KC, advice to liquidators in respect of the failure by auditors of several segregated portfolio companies to identify the existence of a $100m plus fraud.
      • Acting in a claim by a purchaser against a negligent surveyor in respect of an unnoticed right of way.
      • Advising in a claim against a negligent will drafter.
      • (During pupillage) NWG v Vantis Tax Limited – Assisted Gareth Tilley in a £65m claim against allegedly negligent tax advisers.
      • (During pupillage) Assisted Michael Walsh KC in advising on the professional liability of a firm of solicitors in relation to a property transaction.

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      For general enquiries and instruction advice, please contact our Practice Management Team:

      Call: +44 (0)20 7242 6105
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      Memberships

      • COMBAR
      • ChBA
      • ConTrA

      Education, Qualifications and Awards

      • Bar Vocational Studies, City University (Distinction)
      • GDL, City University (Distinction)
      • DPhil in History, University College, Oxford
      • MPhil in Political Thought and Intellectual History, Pembroke College, Cambridge (Distinction)
      • BA in History, Pembroke College, Cambridge (Double First)
      • Atkin Senior Scholarship, (Gray’s Inn)
      • William Shaw BVS Scholarship, (Grey’s Inn)
      • David Karmel Scholarship, (Gray’s Inn)
      • City Law School Scholarship for Academic Excellence, City, University of London
      • Winner, City Law School Senior Moot (2022)
      • 2nd place, Gray’s Inn Moot Competition (2022)
      • Honourable Mention, Martin Domke Award for Best Oralist, Vis Moot (2021)

      BSB Registration

      Matthew James MacDonald Innes

      VAT Number

      449301496

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      LEADING SET:
      UK Bar 2026

      WINNER:
      MENA Awards 2026 - English Bar in the Middle East: Commercial Set of the Year

      WINNER:
      Best Chambers for Work / Life Balance 2026

      SHORTLISTED:
      UK Bar Awards 2025 - Chancery Set of the Year

      SHORTLISTED:
      Bar Awards 2025 - Chancery Set of the Year

      SHORTLISTED:
      Chambers of the Year Award 2025

      WINNER:
      Bar Awards 2024 - Chancery Set of the Year

      WINNER:
      Middle East Awards 2024 - Middle East-Wide Dispute Resolution: Leading UK Barristers' Set

      SHORTLISTED:
      Bar Awards 2024 - Intellectual Property Set of the Year

      SHORTLISTED:
      Bar Awards 2024 - Commercial Litigation Set of the Year

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