Mathew McDermott
UK Bar Guide 2025
Band 3 : Social Housing
Band 3
About
Provided by Mathew McDermott
Practice Areas
Mathew is a through-and-through landlord and tenant specialist, with a particular emphasis on social housing. If the matter is of relevance to either a landlord or a tenant, in whatever guise they appear (residential or commercial) or whatever Court or Tribunal in which they find themselves, Mathew will be able to assist.
He is particularly interested in the context in which private residential landlords find themselves in respect of both managing and obtaining possession of premises (tenancy deposits, retaliatory eviction, HMOs, etc)
Mathew is also frequently instructed in forfeiture proceedings, whether they stem from breaches of residential or commercial leases, regardless of the nature of the breach. He has considerable experience advising on discrete points in this respect concerning entitlement to forfeit and waiver of the same.
Career
His primary area of work is social housing with homelessness appeals comprising a very large portion of that work, and a growing judicial review practice on top. He frequently acts for many London boroughs, as well as other social landlords and tenants. He has given – and continues to give – training to solicitors and other professionals throughout the country on landlord and tenant matters, and he has written in the legal press numerous times.
Above everything Mathew gives direct, concise, no-nonsense and honest advice that cuts through the irrelevancies and focuses solely on what matters to the client. One solicitor has said that “Mathew has the knack of still seeing the wood despite there being many trees in the way”.
Chambers Review
UK Bar
Mathew McDermott is a respected junior barrister regularly instructed by both social housing tenants and landlords. He is an expert in judicial review proceedings, particularly those relating to homelessness.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Mathew McDermott is a good advocate and very technical."
"Mathew McDermott is exceptionally knowledgeable and skilled at structuring and presenting complex arguments."
"Mathew McDermott provides clear and concise advice and works hard to achieve the best results possible for clients."
"Mathew McDermott is a good advocate and very technical."
"Mathew McDermott is exceptionally knowledgeable and skilled at structuring and presenting complex arguments."
"Mathew McDermott provides clear and concise advice and works hard to achieve the best results possible for clients."