Matthew Hearsum is a Partner in our Dispute Resolution department.

Matthew specialises in resolving complex property disputes, including landlord and tenant disputes, rights of way, restrictive covenants, rights of light and boundary disputes. He is nationally recognised as a leading expert in disputes relating to the Party Wall etc Act 1996 on which he has written several of the leading textbooks.

He is particularly known for his expertise in relation to disputes arising from basement extensions, and has been instructed on one side or the other on most of the published cases. He is the author of the only textbook on this type of development, the Law and Practice of Basement Extensions.

Matthew is also Head of our Leasehold Enfranchisement Team, and has extensive experience in advising both landlords and tenants in relation to claims to extend leases, claims to collective enfranchisement, applications to acquire the right to manage and the right of first refusal.

Matthew is a Solicitor-Advocate (Civil) and has represented clients in the First-Tier Tribunal, the County Court, High Court and the Court of Appeal. He is also qualified as an Accredited Mediator and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Something you may not know
Outside the office Matthew is heavily involved in his local rugby club as a player, referee and committee member. He has recently been appointed to the RFU’s Disciplinary Judiciary. He is also a keen cook and has trained at Le Cordon Bleu.