Introduction
Matthew Cullen has quickly developed a strong criminal and regulatory practice. He is a sought-after junior with a reputation as a persuasive Jury advocate known for his attention to detail and thorough preparation – irrespective of the type of hearing he is required to attend.
Matthew is frequently instructed in cases well beyond his year of call, often involving the most serious offences including Murder, Attempted Murder, GBH and conspiracies involving drugs, violence and theft. He is instructed on behalf of both the prosecution (Grade 3) and defence, and he regularly appears in Crown Courts, Magistrates Courts and Youth Courts across the country. In addition to appearing at trial, Matthew often advises on plea, sentence, appeal and confiscation if needed.
As part of his regulatory practice, Matthew receives instructions in a variety of areas including licensing, trading standards, health and safety, food hygiene and environmental matters. He has gathered substantial experience in dealing with illicit tobacco prosecutions and offences under the Housing Act. Matthew continues to appear before a variety of tribunals, including the First Tier Property Tribunal and Mental Health Tribunals, and has also had recent success in the Coroner’s Court.
Crime
Recent Cases:
- R v ML & MB (2024) – Operation Vintus – Junior prosecution counsel in a two-handed attempted murder, where gang members have allegedly opened fire on mourners attending a funeral of a rival gang member.
- R v CC (2024) – Defence counsel in a home invasion stabbing alleged to be drug related (Section 18/Aggravated Burglary).
- R v MR (2024) – Represented a man acquitted of sexual offences alleged by three different victims, in three different decades.
- Operation Tintoo (2024) – Junior prosecution counsel in a conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, and to transfer £26 million worth of cash which resulted in convictions across the board.
- R v AS & KS (2023) – Operation Mineral – Represented a 16-year-old accused of Murder in a cut-throat trial at Warwick Crown Court.
- R v HS & Others (2023) – Sole defence counsel for a mother accused of assisting her son, who was also on trial for Murder, by harbouring him and arranging for him to flee the country.
- R v MIK & Others (2023) – Operation Didiza – Junior prosecution counsel, led by Stephen Linehan KC, in a 2-month trial involving a substantial conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
- R v MM (2023) – Operation Maud – Junior defence counsel in a murder where MM allegedly used a screwdriver to inflict a fatal blow.
- R v MH (2023) – Represented a male of good character who was acquitted of Assault by Penetration.
- R v MA, KC & others (2023) – Instructed to defend two of twenty individuals charged with violent disorder at a Coventry City FC promotion parade.
- R v MF & RF (2022) – Operation Monastery – Junior defence counsel in a multi-defendant murder involving a stabbing.
- R v KC (2022) & R v SL (2022) – Defence counsel in two, separate Section 18 wounding trials.
- R v MF & others (2022), R v RS & others (2022) & R v JW & others (2023) – Defending in separate conspiracies to steal a large number of cars including the use of a key decoder.
- Operation Edition (2022) – Junior prosecution counsel in a multi-handed conspiracy to supply over £16 million worth of cocaine.
- R v SW (2021) – Matthew represented a bus driver for causing death by careless driving and secured a unanimous acquittal at trial.
- R v HV (2021) – Represented a male who was unanimously acquitted of 4 counts of sexual assault.
- R v ST (2021) – Defended a civilian police employee charged with Misconduct in Public Office and Data Protection Offences.
- R v IH (2021), R v GB (2022) – Obtained suspended sentences for males convicted of perverting the course of justice, despite Court of Appeal authorities suggesting the need for immediate custody.
- R v PJ (2020) – Appeared for a school employee at trial in relation to an allegation of assault against a pupil which involved the cross-examination of a 5-year-old child.
Regulatory
Recent Cases:
- WCC v G (2023) – Prosecuting a landlord for unlawful eviction of tenants.
- BCC v ZP & ZH (2023) – A criminal prosecution covering 3 separate frauds involving Business Rates, the Central Valuation Office and the defrauding of customers.
- DCC v JF (2022) – An ongoing trading standards prosecution against a male creating and selling counterfeit t-shirts on eBay.
- Inquest concerning DC (2021) – An Article 2 Inquest into the death of a detained person under the Mental Health Act, where Matthew represented Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Trust whose practices/policies were commended.
- DCC v AIA (2021) – Secured Guilty verdicts in the Crown Court for numerous counts of possessing counterfeit tobacco products and supplying tobacco products without the required health warnings.
- WCC v HH & LH (2020) – Prosecuted two defendants at trial in relation to offences of unlawful subletting and tenancy fraud.
- R v VH & CHS Ltd (2019) – Secured a conditional discharge for a man accused of trading without providing a security to HMRC. No evidence was offered against the company.
- DCC v P (2019) – Appeared for a local authority in an appeal against civil penalties imposed for breaches of regulations governing Houses of Multiple Occupancy. The appeal was dismissed in relation to the imposition of all of the penalties.
Motoring and Road Traffic
Recent Cases:
- R v NC (2022) – Successfully represented a nurse charged with careless driving in a case where a pedestrian suffered significant injuries.
- R v OM (2021) – Instructed for trial on behalf of a taxi driver for offences of drug driving where Matthew’s pre-trial advice and early engagement helped in the Crown offering no evidence.
- R v SRAC (2021) – Secured numerous acquittals at trial for a multi-national company facing offences of failing to respond to a request for driver information (S172 offences).
- R v JB (2019), R v SG (2021), R v AS (2021), R v DS (2021) – Successfully argued exceptional hardship for drivers facing a mandatory totting up disqualification in the Magistrates.
- R v OS (2019) – Secured an acquittal after trial for a delivery driver who was accused of driving without due care and attention after a crash with a motorcycle.
Education
BPTC, BPP Law School – Outstanding
Graduate Diploma in Law, BPP Law School – Distinction
BA (Hons), History and Politics, University of Birmingham – 2:1
Appointments and Memberships
Legally Qualified Person to Police Misconduct Panels (West Midlands, Staffordshire, West Mercia & Warwickshire)
2018 – Certificate of Honour (Middle Temple)
2017 – Jules Thorn Scholarship for BPTC (Middle Temple)
2016 – Jules Thorn Scholarship for GDL (Middle Temple)
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
Criminal Bar Association
CPS Prosecution Panel – Grade 3 & Specialist Panel for Serious and Organised Crime
Testimonials
“Matthew is an exceptionally well-prepared advocate. He is thorough and extremely competent. His advocacy is well structured, well presented and well received. He is a young man who has the potential for greatness.” Legal 500 2025
