Welcome Matthew Todd
We are delighted to welcome Matthew Todd to Chambers. Matthew is a specialist Employment barrister based in Manchester with a practice spanning England and...
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Matthew Todd is a specialist Employment barrister based in Manchester, but whose practice spans England and Wales.
Matthew’s approach to cases is meticulous, identifying key issues and delivering focused submissions. Clients have noted his ability to take complex cases and create succinct and persuasive advocacy. His witness handling in cross-examination has been described by clients and judges alike as tenacious and pragmatic. Matthew is also noted for his ability to connect with clients, providing straightforward advice in a clear and approachable manner.
Matthew has volunteered with Greater Manchester Law Centre and conducted pro bono representation via both Advocate and the Free Representation Unit. Matthew was nominated for Pro Bono Barrister of the Year at the Greater Manchester Pro Bono Awards 2024.
Employment
Matthew represents claimants and respondents in all areas of employment law, including discrimination cases, whistleblowing, equal pay, unfair dismissal, and TUPE. In addition to his tribunal work, Matthew maintains a busy practice advising clients and drafting papers at all stages of the litigation process.
Recent instructions include:
- Representing the Claimant in a challenging whistleblowing case against a private employer, including a successful application to amend the claim to include more than 21 new protected disclosures
- Successfully defending a discrimination claim involving maternity pay and shared parental leave against a local government Respondent
- Drafting a response to an appeal where the Claimant had been successful at first instance in a victimisation claim
- Successfully defending a direct sex discrimination claim brought by a former trade union official, and subsequently securing a costs order on the basis that the claim had no reasonable prospects
- Securing protective awards for a number of former employees of a national housing regeneration company, having successfully argued that multiple sites across the country could be classified as a single establishment.
Matthew is also available to provide training on all aspects of employment law and the tribunal process.
Before being called to the bar, Matthew worked as a paralegal in the Employment departments of Leigh Day Solicitors and JMW, spending time working on major group equal pay claims including Ahmed v Sainsburys Supermarkets and Brierley v Asda Stores.
Education
- BA Criminology, Durham University – 2:1
- Graduate Diploma in Law, University of Law – Commendation
- Bar Practice and Training Course, BPP University – Very Competent
- LLM (Bar), BPP University – Distinction
Client testimonials
“Matthew did a great job in ensuring that the matter and the witnesses were ready for the ready for final hearing at short notice. I was extremely impressed with his handling of the witnesses given the sensitive nature of the case, and his ability to pick out the relevant points in evidence, cross-examination and closing submissions.”
“His input was invaluable. From the first time we met with Matthew, he understood exactly what we were saying, the complexity of the service we provide, and the citizens we support, and was able to take the information we gave him and make sense of it.”
“ Matthew is extremely approachable and was able to express things in a user friendly way given the different levels of experience in the room. His training opened up many insightful discussions between the team. We think he’d work well with our clients and put them at ease.”
