Matthew Hodson

I am an experienced Employment Tribunal and High Court advocate with particular knowledge and specialism in:
•    The enforceability of post-termination restrictive covenants
•    Confidentiality and trade secret disputes
•    Springboard relief and other urgent applications in the context of employee competition
•    Discrimination, especially sex, pregnancy related and sexual harassment cases
•    Unfair dismissal

I recognise that employment cases are almost always urgent in nature, requiring a quick response. I will provide a prompt assessment of the merits of your case and will give practical and commercially sensible guidance on how to proceed.

I can assist in preparing letters of response or claim at the earliest stage of a dispute, whether that be during a grievance or disciplinary procedure or after termination of employment. At that stage I can draft proceedings for the Employment Tribunal or High Court, and then perform the necessary advocacy thereafter.

I am known for trial advocacy, and for incisive cross examination ideally suited to exposing the dishonesty of witnesses whose evidence is untrue.

My approach

I am prompt and practical. I believe in giving a personal service. I will respond to your e-mail promptly and our first discussion is always free. After that, it is your choice whether you want to proceed. I will quote you a capped, fixed price wherever possible. If it is not worth your money going to court, then I will say so, and will then help you negotiate a sensible settlement. I realise that cost, time, stress and business reputation can be just as important to my clients as winning. 

My work

My reported cases in this area include:

•    Countrywide Estate Agents v Turner UKEAT/0208/13/LA; 2014 WL 4250036; LTL 8/9/2014
Appeal before the EAT to determine the correct basis of compensatory and contractual damages following unfair dismissal.

•    Indigo Design Build & Management Ltd & B Tank v Marie Martinez  UKEAT/0020/14/DM; 2014 WL 4423177; LTL 11/9/14
Appeal before the EAT to determine the correct "reason why" legal test for direct pregnancy and maternity discrimination.

•    Customer Systems Plc v Ranson & Others (2011) EWHC 3304
Three week High Court trial resisting claims for breach of restrictive covenant and breach of fiduciary duties. The Claimant, a high end IT consultancy, was seeking six figure damages

About me

I am a barrister at Hardwicke, based in Lincoln’s Inn, London. I was called to the Bar in 2004. I am happy to take on cases throughout the United Kingdom.

Outside of work I am an expedition leader and long distance walker. I have led expeditions as a qualified mountain leader to the Amazon and to the Himalayas. I have walked the Pennine Way, Coast to Coast, GR5, GR20 and Cape Wrath Trail. 

I am also a keen amateur programmer, using C# and Unity.

What my clients say

“I would not hesitate to recommend Matthew, he is always professional and his honesty shines through.  He adopts a very pragmatic approach which helps me to understand my way through very complex legal matters.”
-    Mitch H, financial advisor

Professional & academic

I studied Mathematics at University College London, and a post-graduate diploma of law at the College of Law.

I was called to the Bar in 2004.

Memberships
Employment Lawyers Association