Matthew Weaver KC

Call: 2002 | Silk: 2022

King's Counsel

Matthew Weaver KC is a leading restructuring and insolvency Silk. He also has an impressive commercial practice with considerable experience in company law, commercial fraud and asset tracing, and professional liability, allowing him to provide his clients with a wide commercial law service covering a range of corporate and commercial issues and disputes.

Matthew is an accomplished advocate with substantial experience of trials, contested hearings and urgent applications for interim relief. He is recognised for his common sense, commercial approach together with his ability to grapple with highly complex issues.

Matthew has been recommended consistently over many years by both Chambers UK Bar and The Legal 500 UK Bar and has provided expert evidence in foreign jurisdictions on issues of UK insolvency law. He is a regular contributor to academic articles as well as being a speaker at seminars. In 2019, he was appointed as a Recorder of the County Court.

INSOLVENCY

Matthew is ranked as a leading Silk for restructuring/insolvency by Chambers UK Bar and for insolvency by The Legal 500 UK Bar. His practice covers all areas of contentious and non-contentious corporate and personal insolvency and he is regularly instructed to advise and appear on behalf of administrators, liquidators, administrative receivers, LPA receivers, supervisors and trustees in bankruptcy.

He is also instructed to act for creditors and other interested third parties within insolvency matters and is equally adept providing advice on complex issues to oﬃce-holders and other stakeholders or undertaking high-value and complicated litigation.

Matthew has advised and appeared both for and against oﬃce holders in a number of high value directors’ misfeasance claims and for and against the government in directors’ disqualiﬁcation proceedings, having been appointed to the Attorney General’s Provincial Panel (Civil) from 2007 until he took Silk.

In addition to having extensive experience of administrations and special administrations, Matthew’s restructuring practice includes acting for and advising companies and creditors in a number of Part 26A Companies Act 2006 Restructuring Plans as well as Part 26 Companies Act 2006 Schemes of Arrangement. He also has significant experience of Company Voluntary Arrangements.

Matthew has established himself as a leading and sought after restructuring and insolvency Silk.

His recent experience includes:

Acting for the debtor companies in a number of Part 26A Companies Act 2006 restructuring plans (2023-2025)
Acting for the majority creditor in opposing a Part 26A Companies Act 2006 restructuring plan (2025)
Acting both at first instance and on appeal for the successful former administrator of a group of companies in successfully opposing a remuneration challenge in the leading authority on the scope of Part 18 of the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 (2024-2025)
Providing expert evidence to the Supreme Court of New South Wales on issues concerning UK administrations (2025)
Acting for the liquidator in the leading case on the requirement to convert members’ voluntary liquidations (2025)
Providing an expert opinion to a high profile foreign stock exchange on issues concerning the proper categorisation of UK restructuring procedures (2025)
Acting for the joint liquidators of a former national retailer in a high-value claim against the former parent group (2024)
Acting as independent counsel to advise the Court on a distribution plan put forward by the Special Administrators (2024)
Acting for the former fund managers in a claim brought by the joint liquidators of a venture capital trust company in members voluntary liquidation (2022-2024)
Acting for the successful joint administrators in securing a declaration that property was held on trust for two companies as a result of breaches of duty and conflicts of interest on the part of the directors (2024)
Acting for successful former supervisors in appealing a costs order made against them following a CVA challenge (2024)
Acting for the joint liquidators of a BVI registered company in a successful application against English joint administrators for recognition of sums due under security (2023)
Acting for a wholesale gas supplier in the leading case on the obligations and liabilities of failed energy suppliers (2023)
Acting for the secured creditor in successfully defeating an application to set aside an appointment of administrators on grounds of improper purpose in what is now the leading authority on the issue (2023)
Acting for the liquidator of a UK company in claims to reverse property transactions in Croatia (2022)

His reported cases include:

Re River Island Holdings Ltd [2025] EWHC 2276 (Ch) – Acting for the company in a successful Restructuring Plan application (with Matthew Abraham, South Square)
Pagden v Ridgley [2024] EWHC 3047 (Ch) & [2025] EWHC 2674 (Ch) – Acting for the former administrator in successfully opposing an application to challenge remuneration, both at first instance and on appeal, in the leading case on the scope of Part 18 of the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016
Re Madagascar Oil Ltd [2025] EWHC 2129 (Ch) – Acting for the majority creditor in a Restructuring Plan application (with Katie Longstaff)
Noal SCSp v Novalpina Capital LLP [2025] EWHC 1392 (Ch) – Acting for the liquidator in the leading case on issues concerning the conversion of members’ voluntary liquidations
Re Outsideclinic Ltd [2025] EWHC 875 (Ch) – Acting for the company in a successful Restructuring Plan application (with Lauren Kreamer)
Re Pocket Renting Ltd [2024] EWHC 2948 (Ch) – Acting for the administrators in an unsuccessful application by a former director to have the appointment declared invalid
Re Wealthtek LLP [2024] EWHC 2520 (Ch) – instructed as independent counsel to advise the Court on a distribution plan put forward by the Special Administrators
Re Project Verona Ltd [2024] EWHC 2080 (Ch) – Acting for the company in a successful Restructuring Plan application (with Katie Longstaff)
Kendall v Ball [2024] EWHC 746 (Ch) – Acting for the joint administrators in an application for a declaration that land transferred to the directors was held on constructive trust for the company as a result of a breach of duty and conflict of interest on the part of the directors
Burke v Peabody Construction Ltd [2024] EWHC 392 (Ch) – Acting for the former supervisors of a CVA in successfully appealing a costs order against them following a challenge to the CVA
Re Great Annual Savings Co Ltd [2023] EWHC 1141 (Ch) – Acting for the debtor company in a Restructuring Plan application
Re Aartee Bright Bar Ltd (In Administration) [2023] EWHC 606 (Ch) – Acting for the successful appointing secured creditor in what is now the leading case on applications to set aside the appointment of administrators on the grounds of improper purpose
Croxen v Gas and Electric Markets Authority [2022] EWHC 2826 (Ch) – Acting for a wholesale gas supplier (in administration) in the leading case on the obligations and liabilities of failed energy suppliers (with Andrew Brown)
Re Pinnacle Student Developments (Leeds) Ltd [2022] EWHC 2327 (Ch) – Acting for the joint liquidators of a failed property development company in successfully resisting an appeal against the company’s entitlement to rental payments
Pagden v Soho Square Capital LLP [2022] EWHC 944 (Ch) – Acting for the former fund managers in a claim brought by the joint liquidators of a venture capital trust company in members voluntary liquidation
Edwards v Tailby [2021] EWHC 2819 (Ch) – Acting for a liquidator in an appeal by a creditor against a decision to refuse relief from sanctions in a challenge to the admission of a proof of debt
Carraway Guildford (Nominee A) Ltd v Regis UK Ltd [2021] EWHC 1294 (Ch) – Acting for the former joint supervisors of CVA in a challenge to the CVA and a claim for relief against the supervisors
Re Arboretum Devon (RLH) Ltd [2021] EWHC 1047 (Ch) – Acting for the administrators of a lender in a case concerning interpretation of security documentation and contractual estoppel
Saving Stream Security Holding Ltd (In Administration) v Wordley [2020] EWHC 2829 (Ch) – Acting for the joint administrators of a lender in a claim for rectification of a security instrument
Re JPF Clarke (Construction) Ltd [2020] B.P.I.R. 194 – Acting for numerous creditors in a challenge to CVA supervisors’ rejection of claims
Berkshire Homes (Northern) Ltd v Newbury Venture Capital Ltd [2018] EWHC 938 (Ch) – Acting for the application in a case addressing locus and burden of proof in a contested administration application
Raithatha v Arnold Holstein GmbH [2017] EWHC 3069 (Ch) – Acting in a case concerning the requirement of liquidators to hold a creditors’ meeting for their own removal
Re BW Estates Ltd [2017] EWCA Civ 1201 – Acting in a Court of Appeal case addressing the eﬀect of a director’s actions in breach of a company’s articles of association; the applicability of the Re Duomatic principle; estoppel and abuse of process (led by Peter Arden KC)

COMPANY

Matthew’s company law and partnership practice complements his substantial insolvency practice. He is frequently asked to advise on and appear in cases concerning internal governance issues within companies, the validity of acts taken by directors, the recoverability of directors’ loans and/or remuneration, the legality of dividends and the validity of securities over company assets. He also has significant experience of s994 CA2006 unfair prejudice petitions, as well as claims arising from the sale and purchase of shares, and has acted for and advised court appointed receivers. He is experienced in dealing with all aspects of partnership disputes, including the need to appoint receivers over partnership assets.

He is often instructed in matters concerning directors’ duties and has advised and appeared both for and against oﬃce holders in a number of high value directors’ misfeasance claims, and for and against the government in directors’ disqualiﬁcation proceedings, having been appointed to the Attorney General’s Regional Panel (Civil) from 2007 until he took Silk.

His recent work includes:

Advising a company on the effect of various provisions in the articles of association and shareholders’ agreement regarding quorum and the validity of directors’ actions (2025)
Acting for a number of debtor companies in applications under Part 26A of the Companies Act 2006 for Restructuring Plans (2023-2025)
Advising a bank on proposed amendments to the articles of association and the viability of a proposed Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006 Scheme of Arrangement
Advising directors on the enforceability of pre-emption share purchase rights (2021)
Acting for a shareholder of a property company in an unfair prejudice petition (2021)

His reported cases include:

Re River Island Holdings Ltd [2025] EWHC 2276 (Ch) – Acting for the company in a successful Restructuring Plan application (with Matthew Abraham, South Square)
Re Outsideclinic Ltd [2025] EWHC 875 (Ch) – Acting for the company in a successful Restructuring Plan application (with Lauren Kreamer)
Noal SCSp v Novalpina Capital LLP [2025] EWHC 1392 (Ch) – Acting for the liquidator in the leading case on issues concerning the conversion of members’ voluntary liquidations
Re Project Verona Ltd [2024] EWHC 2080 (Ch) – Acting for the company in a successful Restructuring Plan application (with Katie Longstaff)
Re Great Annual Savings Co Ltd [2023] EWHC 1141 (Ch) – Acting for the debtor company in a Restructuring Plan application
Re Arboretum Devon (RLH) Ltd [2021] EWHC 1047 (Ch) – Acting for the administrators of a lender in a case concerning interpretation of security documentation and contractual estoppel
Saving Stream Security Holding Ltd (In Administration) v Wordley [2020] EWHC 2829 (Ch) – Acting for the joint administrators of a lender in a claim for rectification of a security instrument
Re BW Estates Ltd [2017] EWCA Civ 1201 – Acting in a Court of Appeal case addressing the eﬀect of a director’s actions in breach of a company’s articles of association; the applicability of the Re Duomatic principle; estoppel and abuse of process (led by Peter Arden KC)

COMMERCIAL DISPUTES, FRAUD AND ASSET TRACING

Matthew’s practice encompasses general commercial and chancery litigation, and he has particular strengths in commercial fraud and asset tracing. He is an experienced litigator and has been involved in a number of high value and complex commercial disputes.

Matthew’s commercial fraud and asset tracing practice primarily arises from his insolvency and company and partnership practices in which he has regularly been asked to advise and appear in claims that involve allegations of fraud and dishonesty. Matthew has been instructed both for and against oﬃce holders in matters that concern the fraudulent breach by directors of their duties and/or the dishonest involvement of third parties. He has been involved in a number of high value directors’ misfeasance claims and is extremely familiar with claims that arise from fraudulent trading and the dishonest dissipation of assets, having experience of tracing and realising assets both within and outside of the jurisdiction.

He has also acted both for and against the government in directors’ disqualiﬁcation proceedings. Having been appointed to the Attorney General’s Regional Panel (Civil) from 2007 until he took Silk, he was instructed to appear in one of the ﬁrst directors’ disqualiﬁcation claims to come to court which arose from missing-trader intra-community fraud.

His recent experience includes:

Acting for the Defendants to a multi-million pound resulting trust, constructive trust and tracing claim (2025)
Acting for the Claimant in a multi-million pound claim against an international car parts supplier in respect of agreements for the production of electric sports cars (2025)
Acting in a £50m claim for deceit, fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of warranty following a sale of a market-leading online casino business (2024)
Acting for the US based claimants in a multi-million pound claim concerning breaches of director’s duties and conflicts of interest (2024)
Acting in a multi-million pound claim arising from the assignment of intellectual property rights and software to foreign entities (2023)
Advising an international bank in a contractual claim against it (2022)
Acting for the executor of an estate in a claim for defrauding creditors (2022)
Acting for a lease company in a multi million pound claim for fraud against the former director (2022)

His reported cases include:

Cohen v Co-Operative Group Ltd [2025] EWHC 526 (Ch) – Acting for the liquidators of Somerfield Stores in a muti-million pound claim against the Co-op Group (with Robert Amey, South Square)
Garden House Software v Marsh [2024] EWHC 969 (Ch) – Acting for the Defendants in a strike out and amendment application arising out of a multi-million pound claim concerning valuable IT rights sold to foreign entities
Prevost v McCarthy [2023] EWHC 824 (Ch) – Acting for the Defendant in a claim concerning share sales
Re Arboretum Devon (RLH) Ltd [2021] EWHC 1047 (Ch) – Acting for the administrators of a lender in a case concerning interpretation of security documentation and contractual estoppel
Saving Stream Security Holding Ltd (In Administration) v Wordley [2020] EWHC 2829 (Ch) – Acting for the joint administrators of a lender in a claim for rectification of a security instrument
C21 London Estates Ltd v Maurice Macneill Iona Ltd [2017] EWHC 998 (Ch) & [2018] EWCA Civ 182 – Appearing in the High Court and then the Court of Appeal in a case concerning the interpretation of contractual terms as conditions

RECOGNITION

The directories have consistently praised Matthew. A selection of his more recent editorial comments includes:

“Matt is right at the top of the list for complex insolvency litigation involving fraud. He is calm, sensible, thoughtful and user-friendly but knows how to go for the jugular just when it’s needed.” (Insolvency, Legal 500 UK Bar 2026)
“Matt is brilliant across the board. He is extremely clever, superb on his feet and understands the commercial environment.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2026)
“Matt is known for his exceptional legal acumen and ability to navigate complex cases with ease.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2026)
“Matthew is an excellent lawyer – straightforward and collaborative. It is a pleasure working in a team with Matthew; he is well liked by judges and good on his feet.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2025)
“He is a strong advocate and is personable and reliable. His ability to go the extra mile really stands out.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2025)
“Matthew knows the law inside and out; he can deliver solutions and answers that are often not thought about.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2024)
“Matthew is very bright, good on his feet and quickly grasps the commercial points as well as the legal points.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2024)
“He is polished in his delivery and written opinions and exceptional on his feet.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2024)
“He is very strong on his feet but also client-friendly and approachable.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2023)
“He is robust, friendly and certainly very bright.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2023)
“Matthew is an excellent advocate and very client-facing due to his personable and commercial approach.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2023)
“Matthew is extremely measured but does not pull punches on his feet and, accordingly, is incredibly effective with the judges. He understands very well how the insolvency market works and the team approach that is required in officeholder-led insolvency litigation. He is an excellent barrister.” (Company and Insolvency, Legal 500 UK Bar 2023)
“Extremely client facing and accessible, he performs very well in contested situations on his feet and is able to easily grasp the commerciality of what is required.” (Insolvency, Legal 500 UK Bar 2023)
“Matt is a go-to barrister. He is incredibly smart but also commercial and understands what the clients want from the proceedings.” (Insolvency, Legal 500 UK Bar 2023)
“He is very commercial, good on his feet and very persuasive in front of judges.”, “His demeanour puts clients at ease and he is always willing to discuss another’s point of view and take that on board. When instructing Matthew it is as though he becomes an additional member of the team and he will always make himself available.” and “He is always available at the end of the phone, and you know that any advice he gives can be passed straight on to clients with minimal explanation as it is so well written and clear.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2022)
“He is a very impressive counsel and adopts a very commercial approach which clients really appreciate.“(Insolvency, Legal 500 UK Bar 2022)
“Matthew has the full package – fierce intellect, persuasive charm and calmness under pressure.” (Company and Insolvency, Legal 500 UK Bar 2022)
“His work is always top-rate and he’s probably the most amenable barrister at the Bar.” “An insolvency heavyweight – he is very approachable, technically very good, understands what clients need and thinks outside of the box.” “Very approachable and pragmatic.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2021)
“He is a preferred barrister for us and our clients. He is truly experienced in the cases we have and can always bring his intellectual power and experience to the work we instruct on. Judges are warm to him, he is quick thinking on his feet and has been strong on highly intellectual test cases we have worked on together. He has the added quality of being very likeable and not pretentious which is a huge draw for our client base.” (Company and Insolvency, Legal 500 UK Bar 2021)

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