Matthew Swash

Matthew has more than 20 years of experience in road traffic and criminal defence work and is highly respected amongst the legal community and his peers. He represents clients accused of all types of criminal offences during the investigation period as well as those who require expert representation in Court, either the Magistrates or the Crown. Matthew works from our Norwich and Ipswich offices, assisting clients across Norfolk & Suffolk.

Investigations:
Matthew represents clients facing police or regulatory investigations and at interviews under caution. He has had many successes during the pre-charge period of an investigation persuading the Police and Crown Prosecution Service that his client should not face charges, bringing cases to a conclusion at the investigation stage.

Court:
Where that isn’t possible or where clients have already been charged, Matthew acts in both the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. In appropriate cases, he engages with the CPS to seek to reverse decisions to prosecute. He has been successful in persuading the CPS to return cases to the police for a caution to be issued or to discontinue prosecutions.

• Matthew has enormous experience representing neurodiverse clients both at the investigation stage and at the Magistrates, Youth or Crown Court.
• He has been successful on many occasions in persuading the police not to prosecute or the Crown Prosecution Service to discontinue a matter because it was not in the public interest .or the evidence was weak
• Matthew represents those that have had their devices taken by the police and need help and support to understand the next steps in the process.
• Matthew prides himself in his diligence, approachability and always being available for his clients.

Matthew is particularly skilled with many years of experience in assisting clients who are neurodiverse or vulnerable, both youths and adults, with conditions such as autistic spectrum disorder, ADHD, and PDA, or with other hidden disabilities such as dyslexia and dyspraxia. He understands the significance of such conditions, assists clients with patience and respect, and engages with experts whenever appropriate. He has experience of engaging with the police and the prosecution in cases involving neurodiverse clients, this has led to cases being dropped or dealt with out of court.

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• Qualified in 2004
• Commenced his career at Gepp Solicitors based in Essex – Jan 2004 – Feb 2009
• Moved to Steed and Steed where he headed up their Criminal Department – Feb 2009 – July 2011
• Spent 10 years representing clients in his hometown of Colchester
• Accredited by the Law Society in relation to Criminal Law and is a Higher Courts Advocate – 2012
• Joined Gotelee Solicitors based in Ipswich as a Partner in October 2020
• Joined Leathes prior as Partner in October 2024