Matthew Austin Harding

Name:

Call:

Called 2002

Inn and Education:

Lawnswood School, Leeds.
Leeds Metropolitan University, LLB (Hons) 1st Class.
Manchester Metropolitan University, Bar Vocational Course.
Recipient of Sir Thomas More Bursary (Lincoln’s Inn) during Bar Vocational Course.

Pupillages:

Pupil of Simon Reevell, 2002-2003.

Practice:

All aspects of criminal law. I prosecute and defend across the North Eastern Circuit.
Confiscation proceedings.
Courts martial work.
Anti-Social Behaviour applications.
Prison adjudications and parole hearings.
Member of Criminal Bar Association.
Grade 3 Prosecutor.

Notable Cases:

R v Mills
Leeds Crown Court – murder. Led by Neil Davey QC.

R v Dalton
Leeds Crown Court – murder. Led by Neil Davey QC.

R v Peng
Leeds Crown Court – double murder. Led by Neil Davey QC. Responsible for cross-examination of the co-accused at trial.

R v Lakin & Others
Leeds Crown Court – attempted murder. Led by Neil Davey QC.

R v Jackson
Manchester Crown Court – historical child abuse allegations. Thirteen complainants, over fifty counts on the indictment reflecting abuse over a twenty year period.

R v Farnhill & Others
Leeds Crown Court – alleged ‘honey trap’ lure for a ‘punishment’ shooting.

R v Harrison, Leeds Crown Court – defended alleged ‘warehouseman’ in a multi-million pound cannabis importation gang. Undercover SOCA operation.

R v Newington & Others
Leeds Crown Court – section 18 GBH with intent, complainants beaten, set on fire and ‘branded’.

Personal Interests:

I am a passionate supporter of Rugby League at all levels of the game. I have been a season ticket holder at the Leeds Rhinos for a number of years and travel to all away fixtures.

In 2004 I fulfilled a long held ambition to watch Rugby League in Australia.

Music and modern crime fiction.


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