Russ G.
5/5
I approached Irving's law in late 2021 after I had been arrested in what I felt was a clear unlawful arrest, I am an ex police officer so for me it was clear the arrest should have never happened.
2 investigations into my arrest were found to have been lawful despite admissions by the police that the arresting officer didn't understand her grounds for arrest and police "losing" body camera footage due to it being deleted after 30 days.
Matthew Mcconville took on my case and was satisfied early on that he could not only win but was confident it would not go to court. He took it on no win no fee.
Due to me making a complaint against police this dragged everything out, I should have not made a complaint which would have allowed Matthew to get involved sooner.
Once the 2 complaint investigations were finalised finding my arrest lawful Matthew was then able to act. Very quickly Matthew was able to get the cctv of my arrest despite at this point the police saying it was deleted many months previously if not years. Cctv and custody procedure clearly showed my arrest was unlawful and detention had some questionable issues.
Matthew through disclosure was able to get crime reports unedited, where by in the police complaints no mention was made. The disclosure showed not only did a detective Sargent question whether there was veracity to the complaint made, but made mention of waiting for a complaint statement to re assess. Disclosure also showed police questioned within hours prior to my arrest whether they should be arresting or waiting for a statement and finally after arresting with no statement of complaint for an allegation that could have been carried out as a voluntary attender Matthew was able to find the detective who investigated me after receiving the "victims" statement over 20 days post bail from police station the DC commented there was no evidence of any offence and any contact with the victim related directly to family court proceedings and was not harassing or threatening before bail being cancelled the day after.
Without Matthew as an ex cop who knows the law I would never have got any of that information that was hidden from me.
The force in question failed to either respond or answer questions in full and were dismissive of my case from day one. Once Matthew had got all the evidence together the case was registered in the civil courts and the force was served.
The force had up to this point for 4 years denied my claim, refused to settle and made a point of seeking costs against me personally (as is their right in law) if I took the case further.
Within 3 weeks of the case registered for proceedings to go ahead the force in question who hadn't really engaged for some time wrote to Matthew asking for 2 further weeks to consider settling out of court.
The following week after some quick negotiations I settled with the force for a 5 figure sum and the force also paying my legal fees (Matthew's costs and expenses).
Put simply I am an ex police officer and despite all the evidence I had I could not have won this without Matthew, from day one he said he would win and he did, he said he would unlikely go to court and likely get a settlement out of court and he did.
Matthew got evidence that was hidden from me and forced the police into disclosure that they would not have given me hiding behind "protection of a victim".
Matthew did everything he said he would and got me again a 5 figure settlement for roughly 21 hours in custody and handcuffing and some
Trauma as a result.
I cannot praise Matthew enough, I've spoken with many ex cops who have now gone to Matthew also and I know of an ex colleague who entered into settlement negotiations in the last few weeks also because of Matthew (I won't comment for obvious reasons on this case).
Matthew really knows code G of pace to the point he had me doubt how many arrests I've made previously were lawful!
I recommend everyone go to Matt, I further recommend if you're a serving or ex cop you 150% need to go to Matt.
I cannot praise this guy enough
