Scott Matthewson

Call 1996

Scott Matthewson | Call 1996

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Overview

Scott has vast experience of inquests and coronial law. He is almost exclusively instructed in Article 2 inquests, or related judicial review proceedings, where death occurred in state custody. Scott is often instructed by NHS Trusts in inquests where there are complex medical issues at large (either acting for parties or as counsel to the inquest). He has particular expertise in deaths occurring during the use of physical restraint.

“Scott is a senior statesman among inquest senior juniors. He knows the points to take, and just as importantly, the points not to take. An engaging advocate on his feet, and coroners appreciate his direct but courteous manner. Strong on prison cases.”
The Legal 500

Scott was instructed as Counsel to the Inquests of the seven people who died when a Croydon tram overturned at a sharp bend in the track near the Sandilands tram stop, the worst accident to occur on a British tramway for more than 90 years (2021).

Experience & Expertise

Scott was appointed Assistant Coroner for the for Central and South East Kent, Mid Kent & Medway and North East Kent in 2016.

Scott is an expert in restraint deaths and represented the officers in the inquest into the death of Gareth Myatt (a who died in detention, aged 14). He also acted in the inquest in to the death of Jimmy Mubenga, who died whilst being restrained in an aeroplane whilst being deported.

Cases and work of note

  • Francis Chadwick (listed Jul 2023): Article 2 prison inquest with a jury.
  • Stuart Robinson (listed May 2023): Article 2 prison inquest with a jury.
  • Ashley Dougan (listed Mar 2023): Article 2 prison inquest with a jury.
  • Jonathan Crooks (Nov 2022): Article 2 prison inquest with a jury; suicide of a 44-year-old man with complex mental health and behavioural problems.
  • Simon Boyle (Sep 2022): Article 2 prison inquest with a jury; deceased died from the combined effects of ingesting synthetic cannabinoids, methadone and alprazolam.
  • Shaun Hughes (Jul 2022): Article 2 prison inquest with a jury; deceased died after swallowing a package of illicit substances passed to him on a visit by a family member.
  • Paul Noble (May 2022): Article 2 prison inquest with a jury; deceased suffered orthopaedic and soft tissue injuries during arrest which culminated in septic arthritis and death.
  • Paul Jordan (Feb 2022): Article 2 prison inquest with a jury; suicide of a man convicted of having murdered his wife with multiple subsequent suicide attempts in prison.
  • Darren Ashcroft (Jan 2022): Article 2 prison death arising from the stabbing of Darren Ashcroft at HMP Altcourse by a fellow prisoner.
  • Sandilands Croydon Tram Disaster (May 2021): Instructed by HM Coroner as counsel to the inquiry. Croydon tram derailment which resulted in the death of 7 people and injuries to 62 passengers. Inquest listed to last 3 months.
  • Duwayne Vidal (May 2021)
  • Liam Clerkson (Feb 2021): Article 2 prison death sitting with a jury. The deceased, who had smuggled drugs into the prison by swallowing a ‘kinder egg’ capsules full of drugs, was found unresponsive in his cell. The main issues are how illicit drugs find their way into prisons and whether resuscitation attempts were adequate.
  • Eugene O’Donnell (Nov 2021): Article 2 prison death sitting with a jury. The deceased was found hanging in his cell. The main issues in the case were whether there was adequate monitoring of alcohol withdrawal symptoms once Mr O’Donnell had been transferred to HMP Durham.
  • Mark Smith (Mar 2020): Article 2 prison death sitting with a jury.
  • Joshua Scholick (Jan 2020): Article 2 prison death sitting with a jury. The deceased was a serving prisoner with personality disorder and psychosis. He had a history of self-harm and drug addiction. He died of an overdose of drugs (including new psychoactive substances or “spice”). The issues at inquest were the ready availability of illicit drugs in prison, whether bullying played a role in death and the quality of mental health services in prison.
  • Stephen Harper (2019): Article 2 prison death sitting with a jury.
  • Amy Allen (Sep 2019): Article 2 death of a 14-year-old girl following elective spinal surgery. The hospital team agreed to operate on a 14 year old girl’s kyphosis (deformation of the spine which caused pain, discomfort and would have eventually rendered her wheelchair bound). However, she had Noonan’s Syndrome (which causes heart problems) and pulmonary hypertension (affecting the lungs) which made surgery extremely risky. The risks eventuated and Amy died of sepsis despite ECMO support (a heart and lung bypass).
  • James Hunter (Sep 2019): Article 2 prison death sitting with a jury. The main issue was whether the deceased had died as the result of neglect. The deceased complained to prison and medical staff of feeling unwell after taking a large overdose of illicit drugs. The decision was taken to observe him in prison (rather than call an ambulance). The issue in the case was whether or not the clinical signs and history mandated attendance at hospital.
  • David Waring (Jul 2019): Article 2 prison death sitting with a jury.
  • James Turnbull (Jun 2019): Article 2 prison death sitting with a jury.
  • Robert Chapman (May 2019): Article 2 prison death sitting with a jury.
  • Stephen Quinnell (May 2019): Article 2 prison death sitting with a jury.
  • Stephen Hodgson (Mar 2019): Article 2 prison death sitting with a jury.
  • Scott Page (Feb 2019): Article 2 prison death sitting with a jury.
  • John Collins (Jan 2019): Article 2 prison death sitting with a jury. The deceased was found hanging from a ligature in a cell in which he had been left locked alone while his cellmate attended a medical appointment. The issues in the case were the adequacy of suicide watch, monitoring of bullying and adequacy of mental health care in the prison.
  • Re: Michael Netyks (December 2018): prison death.
  • Re: John Mayhew (November 2018): prison death.
  • Re: David Broome (September 2018): industrial accident.
  • Re: Gareth McCarroll (April 2018): prison death.
  • Re: Darren Humphreys (February 2018): prison death.
  • Re: Craig Hughes (February 2018): prison death.
  • Re: Gary Lines (January 2018): prison death.
  • Re: Stephen Shayler (December 2017): death in custody.
  • Re: Paul Bryan (October 2017): death in custody.
  • Re: Jonathan Palmer (May 2017): death in hospital.
  • Re: Scott Tinsley (April 2017): death in prison.
  • Re: Michael Mazzetti (January 2017): death in custody.
  • Re: Dale Wills (November 2016): prison death.
  • Re: Michelle Barnes (October 2016): prison death.
  • Re: Roy Hoey (October 2016): prison death.
  • Re: John Betteridge (June 2016): prison suicide.
  • Re: Adetokunbo Ajakaiye (May 2016): prison death from malaria contributed to by neglect.
  • Re: Connor Smith: death at HMP Altcourse (2014).
  • Re: Vittorio Miszyzynan (2014): death of 50 year old man at St George’s hospital for unknown reasons – later established to be heart failure caused by uncontrolled hypertension as a result of undiagnosed phaeochromocytoma .
  • Re: Brian Handley (2014): death in HMP Birmingham.
  • Re: Brian Dalrymple (2014): death of an American asylum seeker from aortic dissection whilst detained at an Immigration and Removal Centre.
  • Re: Jimmy Mubenga (2013): death of Angolan national at Heathrow airport whilst being physically restrained during deportation. Download Coroner’s Report, Click here for press coverage.
  • Re: Daniel Liptrot (2012): jury inquest – death of a recovering heroin addict in HMP Rye Hill.
  • Re: Anthony Norton (2012): jury inquest – suicide in HMP Altcourse.
  • Re: Jason Jones (2012): jury inquest – death in HMP Leeds from traumatic cerebral hemorrhage.
  • Re: Muhammad Shukat (2012): jury inquest – death in custody.
  • Re: Michael Sweeney (2012): death in hospital.

recommendations

“Scott is more than anything a polished and effective advocate. Persistently persuasive without being over-forceful.” Chambers and Partners

“Scott is tactically very sensible and sound, and is willing to work collaboratively. He is a charming advocate – he presents his questioning and legal arguments in a pleasant way.”
Chambers & Partners 

“Coroners go to him when things get tricky, because they know he comes up with sensible solutions.”
Chambers & Partners 

“He is very solid and understated and coroners really like him. He manages things calmly.”
Chambers & Partners

“A very well regarded senior junior. Trusted for his direct but measured and fair style.”
The Legal 500

“Scott is a senior statesman among inquest senior juniors. He knows the points to take, and just as importantly, the points not to take. An engaging advocate on his feet, and coroners appreciate his direct but courteous manner. Strong on prison cases.”
The Legal 500

“Scott is really likeable in court and a marvellous advocate for his clients. He is persuasive and tenacious rather than aggressive.”
Chambers & Partners 

“Scott manages the law and other issues very sensitively. He argues the case very well and impresses with his professionalism.”
Chambers & Partners 

“His role as an assistant coroner has really given him a gravitas when acting as counsel in death in custody matters. He can bring that expertise to the forefront. He’s very knowledgeable and has a really good understanding of what the client needs.”
Chambers & Partners 

“A special kind of advocate who is immensely bright and articulate. He manages with genuine ease to balance doing a first-class job for clients while demonstrating empathy and understanding to bereaved families.”
The Legal 500 

“Focuses predominantly on representing private contractors in inquests arising from deaths in prisons. He is also adept at inquest proceedings which involve clinical negligence.”
Chambers & Partners 

“He’s a good advocate who takes a very collaborative approach.”
Chambers & Partners 

“Superb. He has a brain the size of a planet.” 
Chambers & Partners 

“A highly effective cross-examiner.” 
Chambers & Partners 

“Really good judgement.”
Chambers & Partners