Matthew O'Grady

Matrimonial Finance

Matthew has a very busy practice representing husbands and wives in proceedings to divide their assets after separation, including in negotiations, in arbitration, in mediation and multi-day final hearings. Matthew has a particular interest in the forensic nature of this work. He acts in cases of alleged fraud and those involving third party or trust issues. He represents these third parties, such as the parents of the separating couple, where there is a claim the relative owns matrimonial property.

His experience includes successfully arguing for the non-recognition of nuptial agreements, resisting extensive findings of fraud and representing clients in disputes over whether cases should be heard in England or different countries. He advises foreign domiciled clients on the settlement of their financial disputes in England and has appeared for German, Canadian and Emirate clients in the High Court.

Unmarried Couples

Matthew is an expert in advising unmarried couples on the division of their property when they separate and assisting them in making or responding to claims. He also advises couples on living together, including the preparation of cohabitation agreements to decide how property should be divided if they separate in the future.

Dispute Resolution

Private FDR Evaluator

Arbitrator (IFLA Children and Finance Schemes, MCIArb)

Nationally Accredited Mediator (AIFLAM)

Matthew chairs sports Tribunals and arbitrates sports disputes for:

• Sport Resolutions Panel of Arbitrators & Mediators
• National Safeguarding Panel
• British Equestrian
• International Mixed Martial Arts Federation Panel of Arbitrators
• The Football Association Judicial Panel
• Rugby Football Union
• European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR)
• Rugby Europe
• England Boxing Disciplinary Panel
• PGA European Tour
• The FA Safeguarding Review Appeal Board

Sports Law

Matthew combines his work as a barrister and his experience in professional rugby union as a Premiership referee to provide a full range sports disciplinary and regulatory law service. He can be instructed to advise and represent players across a range of sports. Matthew has a range of experience, from acting for renowned professional sportspeople to amateur athletes, in local and national hearings or arbitrations, with an obvious strength in rugby union. He is very aware of the significant time pressures in these cases and players and clubs can instruct him at short notice without needing a solicitor. He has been appointed to the Sports Resolution Pro Bono Legal Advice Panel in the areas of safeguarding and discipline.

The focus of Matthew’s expertise is cases with an international dimension where one parent wishes to relocate a child to another country or there is an allegation of abduction. He has extensive experience of such applications from relatively local relocations within the European Union to jurisdictions further afield, such as South Africa and New Zealand.