Expertise

Matthew is a senior partner in the Divorce and Family department at Stewarts, the pre-eminent divorce and family practice in England that is top ranked in the legal directories. Whilst Matthew is known for his expertise in complex litigation, he is also a renowned negotiator determined to settle cases whenever possible to do so in the best interests of his clients. He is a keen proponent of arbitration.

His practice encompasses high value financial claims, including those on behalf of the children of unmarried parents, as well as resolving areas of disagreement over arrangements for children. He attracts particular recognition for his understanding of clients and their needs, together with his prolific legal knowledge allied with his skills and strategic thinking.

Experience

Matthew has conducted significant recent cases before the Family Court including:

• IR v OR [2022] – acting for the wife, achieving an award of over £70m. The case dealt with the treatment of wealth generated before the marriage and from the sale of a family business, as well as the enforceability of a pre-nuptial agreement.
• Fuchs [2022] – acting for a billionaire husband in response to the wife’s application for interim maintenance of £4.2m a year, demonstrating the level of interim maintenance payable in very wealthy cases.
• WC v HC [2022] – acting for the husband in a case involving pre and post nuptial agreements and inherited wealth. The case also considered the relevance of future (significant) inherited wealth pursuant to forced heirship provisions.
• DR v UG [2023] – acting for the husband where the case involved arguments about his ‘special contribution’ and post separation endeavour where the main asset increased in value by a multiple of more than seven times after the date of separation.

Recognition

Chambers High Net Worth and Legal 500 describe Matthew:

• “as good as it gets in cut-and-thrust litigation. He is really good at positioning clients strongly in a courtroom battle.”
• “a star who is extremely good with numbers and complex corporate and financial structures, and just brilliant with the messy cases” and for having an “excellent analytical approach to complex cases, coupled with a superb bedside manner” and “excellent at tracing the money”.
• “Clients love him – he quietly helps the client be the best they can be”

Peers have commented to Chambers that: “Matt Humphries is impressive. He is super clever on the law and the facts, he’s super calm and super effective”, and “Matt’s approachability is really incredible. He has a really calm and thoughtful nature.”

Career

Matthew qualified as a solicitor in 1998. He joined Stewarts in 2010, becoming a partner in 2013.

Accreditations and Memberships

Matthew is a long-standing member of the National Resolution’s Cohabitation Committee. He is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) recognising the international elements of his practice.

Publications and Media

Matthew is a regular commentator, including in the Financial Times, on issues affecting family law in England and Wales.

Personal

His colleagues believe in his spare time he reads the Family Procedure Rules, but whilst he is an avid reader it tends to be more books of a historical theme. He is also a keen rugby union fan, although finding time to watch games is challenging with a young family.