Matthew McDonagh
- Sports Resolutions UK Panel of Arbitrators and Mediators
- Sports Resolutions Pro Bono Panel
- “He’s a person you would go to for a really robust defence.” Chambers & Partners 2025, Professional Discipline
- “He is a passionate advocate, very hard-working and very ambitious for his clients.” Chambers & Partners 2025, Professional Discipline
- “The way he holds himself is highly impressive.” Chambers & Partners 2025, Professional Discipline
- “Matthew is very good at identifying the key points in a case and putting them forcefully to the judge. His clients love him for it.” Chambers & Partners 2025, Professional Discipline
- “Matthew gets properly stuck in, he will take every point and leave no stone unturned.” Chambers & Partners 2025, Professional Discipline
- “Matthew’s advocacy, particularly when cross examining witnesses and experts, is truly excellent. He is forensically astute and has the ability to distil complex medical evidence in a way that is easily digestible.” Legal 500 2025, Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law
- “An Indefatigable junior.” Legal 500 2025, Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law
- “He is a very personable, affable and persuasive barrister.” Chambers & Partners 2023, Professional Discipline
- “Matthew is a master tactician and a suave, clever advocate. He has a knack for winning over tribunals and has pulled many unexpected rabbits out of hats over the years. He is a good pair of hands for a difficult case.” Chambers & Partners 2023, Professional Discipline
- “Matthew is someone that you want in your corner when the chips are down. He is fabulous ‘on his feet’ and makes his points thoughtfully.” Legal 500 2023, Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law
- “He is a robust and fearless advocate but also knows when to concede.” Legal 500 2022, Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law
- “He is excellent with the client, who is often anxious in a difficult situation potentially facing either a loss of career or profession or at the least a risk of reputational damage. He is a skilful advocate whose examination of witnesses is wonderful to watch.” Legal 500 2021, Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law
- “His forensic grasp of detail is excellent.” Chambers & Partners 2021, Professional Discipline
- “He is very smooth and persuasive.” Chambers & Partners 2021, Professional Discipline
- “Adopts an astute tactical approach to cases.” Chambers & Partners 2020, Professional Discipline
- “A heavyweight presence in court.” Legal 500 2020, Professional Discipline
- “Very user-friendly.” Chambers & Partners 2019, Professional Discipline
- “Extremely well prepared and utterly personable.” Chambers & Partners 2019, Professional Discipline
- “A very effective cross-examiner and a master tactician.” Chambers & Partners 2018, Professional Discipline
- “He is an able and persuasive advocate, very bright and good on his feet. In his defence work, he develops a good relationship with clients and works committedly on their behalf. Clients relate well to him and respect his supportive but sensible advice.” Chambers & Partners 2017, Professional Discipline
- “A persuasive advocate who is popular with clients. He has very pragmatic, sound judgement.” Chambers & Partners 2017, Professional Discipline
- “His client care is great and he sticks to very tight deadlines.” Chambers & Partners 2015, Professional Discipline
- “He is a very experienced regulatory lawyer. He has a relaxed style but at the same time he is able to focus on the important issues and deal with those. He is good on his feet and has good relations with the other side.” Chambers & Partners 2014, Professional Discipline
Instructing Matthew McDonagh
To instruct Matthew or for any further information please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7440 8888 or clerks@2br.co.uk.
Matthew McDonagh practises across all areas of serious crime on both criminal defence and prosecution work.
He has a particular expertise in cases involving professionals facing criminal allegations. He is frequently instructed in complex and high-stakes matters where defendants face the loss of their liberty, career and reputation.
Matthew also continues to appear regularly before courts and tribunals dealing with professional discipline and regulatory proceedings, bringing a particular crossover skillset that is especially valuable to his clients where criminal and regulatory issues overlap.
He has been consistently recognised in the professional directories and has been nominated by both The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Junior of the Year.
Described as “a master tactician and a suave, clever advocate”, Matthew is particularly known for his calm, client-focused approach in the most pressured of cases. He provides clear, practical advice and is highly regarded for his forensic analysis and cross-examination of witnesses, including complex expert evidence. His advocacy style combines strategic precision with the charm and authority frequently remarked upon by Judges.
Alongside his practice, Matthew is a Middle Temple Advocacy Trainer and lectures widely on criminal, medico-legal, regulatory and disciplinary matters.
Additionally, he has delivered specialist forensic training to expert witnesses, supervises pupils, mentors junior barristers, and is a Bencher of Middle Temple.
Matthew has sat as a Crown Court Recorder since 2009.
Practice Areas
Matthew appears in cases across the criminal spectrum.
Notable criminal cases
R v Dr HM
Rogue anaesthetist in Sheffield who conducted Islamic exorcisms on his willing partner whilst she was anaesthetised with drugs and materials stolen from an NHS hospital.
R v LM
Baby-Shaking murder where defendant was a young man of good character.
R v E-M
Murder where defendant was diagnosed with frontotemporal lobe dementia aggravated by a stroke involving psychiatric evidence and fitness to plead proceedings.
R v Dr B
Sexual assault of a dental nurse by a dentist during a deep-heated Indian oil massage.
R v JG
Rape allegations arising from video recorded and allegedly consensual violent BDSM acts.
R v LE and Others
Conspiracy to murder where assassins were hired by drug dealers to eliminate rivals because of mounting drug debts.
R v VW and Others
SFO prosecution of a Film investment fraud where the investors, financial advisor and film producer were indicted over an alleged fraud to make the film, “Mercedes the Movie”.
Matthew appears before a variety of regulatory and disciplinary tribunals and in the Coroners Court.
Consistency of Counsel across jurisdictions is a distinct advantage. Matthew’s practice encompasses healthcare, legal and sporting sectors.
Notable professional discipline and regulatory cases
GMC v Mr SN
Heart surgeon conducting robotic valve replacement abandoned by Proctors that led to the death of the patient.
GMC v Dr MW
Neurologist misdiagnosing conditions leading to the largest patient recall in NHS history.
GDC v Dr AC
Dishonesty allegations arising from the self-prescription of drugs by a dentist who was addicted to painkilling medication.
GDC v Dr LC
Claims fraud where units of dental activity were claimed for work carried out by vocational trainees under the tuition of the dentist. The case involved analysis of metadata to demonstrate manipulation of the records by other dentists.
Ongoing inquests arising from the conduct of Mr Paterson, a surgeon convicted of GBH and erased from the medical register following unnecessary breast surgeries. The inquests are considering Mr. Paterson’s ‘cleavage-sparing mastectomies and the deaths that resulted from the incomplete removal of breast tissue.
GDC v Dr MC
Dentist alleged to have held down and assaulted patient whilst in the dental chair.
GMC v Ms AM
Neurosurgeon’s wrong level spinal surgery and subsequent attempt to bribe the patient.
Inquest into death of GS
Death arising from an alleged failure to treat skin cancer.
SRA v JT
Solicitor before the SDT alleged to have fabricating grants of probate in conveyancing matters.
BSB v SH
Barrister alleged to have sexually assaulted clerks and colleagues at a Chambers party.
University of Buckingham v AA
University disciplinary proceedings against student doctor arising from sexual assault and harassment allegations with a subsequent failure to comply with the restrictions placed upon him.
World Anti-Doping Agency v IS
Appearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport for Indian athlete on doping allegations.
Football Association v LD
FA tribunal following exchange of punches between opposing football managers.
Matthew has practised Sports law since the early part of his career.
He has also been appointed to the Sports Resolutions UK Panel of Arbitrators and Mediators.
Matthew has sat on the disciplinary tribunals of a number of Olympic sports including rowing and boxing since 2020.
He has provided legal advice to sports tribunals, governing bodies, coaches and athletes. Among this advice he has advised upon football contracts, image rights issues and commercial matters.
He is also a member of the Sports Resolutions Pro Bono Panel accepting instructions for athletes in a wide variety of disputes.
Matthew has successfully completed post-graduate study (Sports Law PG Cert. at DMU) in Sports Law and has embraced this aspect of regulatory practice which allows his love of sport and advocacy to flourish.
Matthew’s passion for those involved in the sport’s industry is evident in his efforts to increase his involvement in this type of work which has included pro bono representation at first instance and appellate level. He regularly attends and presents at industry events including Law in Sport. He has published comments on legal aspects arising from the sector and continues to write on issues of interest (please read more here).
Matthew is highly experienced at dealing with the press and media attention that many of his cases attract. He knows and recognises that the control of the ‘news story’ is sometimes as important as the ‘news story’ itself. Matthew has great experience with and has represented other clients involved in the sports industry, including Image Rights Consultants, Financial Advisors, Football Managers, Accountants and Marketing Professionals.
Barristers dealing with this area of work must be sensitive to the wide-reaching ramifications of their cases that may not always be present in other forensic fields. This means that Matthew’s experience and first-hand insight of these sensitive situations has proven to be invaluable for his clients.
Notable sports law cases
Football Association Tribunal for a football club appealing against sanctions imposed for financial irregularities
Premiership footballer involved in complex contractual dispute arising from a purported termination of contract.
Crown Court and Court of Appeal for Premiership Footballer acquitted of involvement in a drug conspiracy.
Footballer acquitted of causing grievous bodily harm to two opponents on the football pitch.
International Netball player assaulted by doctor during routine examination.
Gambling irregularities at the British Horseracing Authority.
International Sports Gambling Syndicate – advised upon British investment.
Employment dispute regarding Football Academy employee.
Child Welfare issues from endemic failure to care for young players in football academy.
Successful representation of basketball coach alleged to have physical and emotionally abused young players.
