“Matthew Brandis combines charm, efficiency and excellence in equal measure.” – Legal 500 UK, 2026
Specialisms
As leader of B P Collins’ 21-strong dispute resolution team, which is highly ranked by legal directories The Legal 500, Chambers UK and Chambers HNW, Matthew Brandis is a highly-skilled lawyer with expertise in the resolution of complex commercial disputes, partnership disputes, professional negligence claims.
Matthew also specialises in contentious probate matters, handling a range of litigation involving wills, trust and probate. He has a particular focus on contentious inheritance disputes, including the validity of testamentary documents, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and disputes regarding the administration of trusts and estates.
Experience
Matthew has conducted litigation in most civil divisions of the High Court and in the Court of Appeal; and his advice is sought by a large number of companies and individuals on a wide-range of civil disputes for over 28 years.
Independent legal directory Chambers UK notes Matthew is “highly experienced in contract claims and partnership disputes.”
Another independent legal directory, Legal 500, regards Matthew as a “Leading Partner”, which they define as solicitors who are “true market leaders, with long-established reputations in their sector, lead roles in multiple recent significant matters, and exceptional, widespread recognition and endorsement from peers in the market and clients alike.” Specific client feedback given to Legal 500 about Matthew includes the following: “Matthew helps clients to navigate highly emotive contentious probate disputes with skill”.
Matthew is an accredited and experienced Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) mediator, acting for both Claimants and Defendants in a range of complex cases. Martin Plowman, a highly regarded mediator from mediation1st said to Matthew, “…thank you for your hard work and skill in guiding your clients during the mediation…. I was pleased that the parties were able to reach … a sensible settlement. I think you are a natural…and as a mediation advocate, you’re comfortable in the process, good humoured throughout, and firm but realistic”.
Other achievements
Matthew has a reputation for winning contentious and high profile legal cases. Among these was the ground breaking and widely reported Westcott v Westcott defamation case, which created a legal precedent at the Court of Appeal; and he acted in the case of Moloobhoy and another v Kanani which was an appeal about whether a summary judgment application can be heard at the same time as a jurisdictional challenge.
Matthew was a finalist in the ‘Lawyer of the Year’ category at the Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire (BB&O) Law Society’s Legal Excellence Awards 2023. He is also an Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) member. B P Collins LLP has been listed again as one of the Best Law Firms of the Year 2024, with a special commendation for Matthew’s team’s Commercial Disputes Resolution section.
In Chambers UK, Matthew was praised by clients for his “reassuring and calming manner” as well as his “ability to connect at all levels” and “a steely opponent and someone who I can really trust to win“. The directory also noted he has a reputation for “exceeding expectations”.
A client remarked to the firm that “Matthew is everything you want in a lawyer: expert, precise, detailed, always prepared, direct when needed, but professional at the same time. With common sense, a sense of humour and a refreshing ability to deliver no-nonsense, commercially sound guidance, that wastes neither your time nor money”.
In the Legal 500 UK directory, Matthew is described as “a fantastic team and group lead – he is adept at dealing with any challenges and nothing phases him.”
Outside the office
Matthew enjoys skiing, hill walking and travelling to Africa – and Zambia in particular. Matthew regularly fundraises for the St Lawrence Home of Hope Orphanage, Lusaka.
“An excellent dynamic team, which has been expanded and strengthened by lateral hires and promotion. The team goes from strength to strength, all headed up by Matthew Brandis, who has a keen eye for developing and retaining talent.” – The Legal 500 UK, 2026
