Matthew is a highly experienced medical malpractice specialist and healthcare lawyer, with a particular focus on private insurance and independent healthcare.
In addition to acting on maximum severity, complex brain or spinal injury cases, Matthew also has a special interest in orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery, dental, cosmetic/aesthetic medicine, genetic or pathology screening claims, and health tech/product liability. He primarily defends compensation claims but also advises on healthcare law, complaints and regulatory law.
Matthew’s clients include leading insurers, healthcare providers and individuals, NHS bodies and medical defence organisations representing domestic or international clients.
Can’t fault Matthew at all when he represented me for my case. He was extremely thorough, knowledgeable, approachable and always gave great advice. He is a testament to his profession and I can’t thank him enough.
Dentist, Dr Govind Dhaliwal
We are very grateful and lucky to have found Mr Trinder. He was a life saviour. He is the best solicitor we have ever come across. He is very professional, robust, knowledgeable, knows his homework very well. He is very hardworking, honest and conscientious. He fights hard for his client.
Director, The Gynae Centre, London
Expertise
- Medmal insurance and coverage
- Medical malpractice/clinical negligence
- Healthcare law
- Complaints and regulatory law
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Neurosurgery (spinal and skull base)
- Plastic surgery
- Dental claims
- Cosmetic and aesthetic medicine
- Health tech/product liability.
- Group actions
Experience
Healthcare disputes
- A successful track record at trial (see highlights) and also in resolving claims before trial and/or preventing complaints turning into claims at all.
- Defended group litigation against a dentist after the biggest ever patient recall by NHS England.
- Advised a well-known private hospital group and its insurer in group litigation about the use of mesh in gynaecological prolapse surgery.
- Defended a surgeon in a cancer test case about diagnosis of Breast Implant-Associated Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-LCL) from the use of Allergan Textured Breast Implants.
- Advised on the mass litigation concerning the Irish national screening programme for cytology.
- Defended a doctor in the MPTS concerning off-label use of orthobiologics for shoulder injury.
Insurance
- Advised on coverage issues including doctors and dentists refused indemnity by their MDOs or insurers.
- Advised insurers on the vicarious liability of a private hospital group for self-employed consultants.
- Advised a dental clinic on the non-delegable duty of care to patients for independent contractor dentists.
- Use of all forms of ADR for maximum severity claims including settlement for circa £30m.
- Advised an insurer on costs following the settlement of group litigation involving almost 100 patients.
Reported cases
- Meiklejohn v St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust and Homerton University Hospitals NHS Trust [2014] EWCA Civ 120. High Court and Court of Appeal successes regarding the duties of ‘super- specialists’ in the context of the diagnosis/treatment of Aplastic Anaemia.
- Sullivan v Guy’s & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust [2017] EWCA 602 (QB). High Court trial win about paediatric surgery for a congenital cardiac abnormality performed whilst the patient was intentionally off-bypass and in circulatory arrest. The judgment is often cited in cases involving novel treatment by ‘pioneering’ experts where neither the traditional Bolam test or deference to text books or guidelines is helpful.
- Chapman v Mid Essex NHS Foundation Trust [2022] EWHC 1290 (KB). High Court dismissed claim that a nurse practitioner had falsified records and failed to carry out a neurological examination in the context of a giant thoracic disc prolapse.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Member of the High Court User’s Group on Clinical Negligence
Member of the Law Society Focus Groups on Fixed Costs and Rapid Resolution
Represented defendant bodies on the Civil Justice Council core working group on Fixed Costs in Clinical Claims
Ranked as a Leading Individual in The Legal 500 2024 for Clinical Negligence: Defendant
“Fearsome litigator” The Legal 500 2024
“A particularly impressive litigator with a good grasp of both tactics and strategy.” The Legal 500 2023
“His strengths include attentiveness, responsiveness, support, honesty and consideration.” The Legal 500 2023
“A go-to partner for the largest clinical negligence cases.” The Legal 500 2023
Rated as a ‘Super-Lawyer’ by Thomson-Reuters.
“extraordinarily effective” Chambers Directory
Career
Matthew qualified as a solicitor in 1996. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2024, he worked at the following firms:
- Browne Jacobson
- BLM
- Bevan Brittan
- Capsticks