Matthew Edwards - Pinney Talfourd Solicitors

Matthew Edwards studied his law degree at the University of East London, graduating in 2000, before completing his legal practice course at Anglia Ruskin University in 2002.

Matthew subsequently joined Birkett Long LLP, a leading tier 1 Legal 500 firm to complete his two-year training contract, qualifying as a solicitor in 2004. There he remained for a further five years practising as a private client solicitor.

Matthew joined Pinney Talfourd in 2009 to head the private client team and was made a partner in 2011.

Matthew leads a team of 17 private client lawyers and has overall responsibility for the management and supervision of all private client related matters. Whilst heading up the department, Matthew continues to act for various clients.

Matthew has acted as a professional executor and trustee on numerous cases throughout his career and leads with all the firm’s executor and trustee appointments. In addition, he acts as a Deputy and Attorney for over 80 vulnerable clients.

EXPERTISE

Matthew is regularly consulted by lawyers from other firms and other professionals to act as an independent administrator to resolve long-running contentious estates and complex court of protection work.

He is an experienced Court of Protection lawyer able to deal with a wide range of Court applications including complex statutory wills, estate planning and gifting, and trust related matters.

In 2015, Matthew became one of only 71 solicitors in the country to be appointed to the Court of Protection Deputyship Panel. In this capacity, Matthew regularly accepts Court appointments to act for highly vulnerable clients who do not have capacity to make decisions concerning their own property or finances – often these clients have unknowingly been victims of serious financial abuse or have complex financial needs

Matthew is a highly experienced probate practitioner able to deal with a wide range of complex cases. Most of Matthew’s cases include Inheritance Tax considerations.

BADGES & AWARDS

Matthew is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) having competed his STEP Diploma in 2009. Matthew is recognised by Legal 500 as a Leading Partner in their 2026 Guide. Matthew is an Accredited Lifetime Lawyer – one of the most qualified lawyers in the country supporting vulnerable and older people. Matthew is a member of the Office of the Public Guardian Panel of Professional Deputies (appointed in 2015), one of only two in Essex and 71 in the country.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

On a personal note, in his spare time Matthew likes to spend time with his young family. He also enjoys regular fitness training including boxing.

Noteable achievements

Evidencing serious financial abuse involving the loss of £500,000 to a client, and successfully recovering this sum through the deputy security bond.
An application involving the complex interaction of statutory will, retrospective approval of a lifetime gift and a declaration of trust.
An application to obtain authority to sell a property and the related removal of family members who were illegally occupying it.
Advising on a multi-million-pound estate involving a wide range of assets including properties, land, business property relief investment products, enterprise investment schemes and pension funds.
Advising on a multi-million-pound estate that included unquoted shares in two limited companies, the related negotiations with the district valuer to maximise the availability of business property relief, and a deed of variation to eliminate the Inheritance Tax liability.
Preparing Wills for the shareholders and directors of a limited company to regulate the transfer of shares on death through the use of a discretionary trust combined with a cross option agreement and in the process maximising the availability of business property relief.

Qualifications & memberships

"Our Wills were made in support of Saint Francis Hospice's 'Make a Will Fortnight' - thank you for your amazing support!"

Pam Court, CEO of Saint Francis Hospice

"Matthew's expertise and advice ensured that my deputyship application was processed smoothly, and I cannot emphasise how much this helped me throuh a difficult time."

T Webster, Essex

"We found your service very professional and easy to understand but also with a friendliness and ease that made the process a lot less difficult than it might have been. Many thanks from us both - the service you provided was first class."

Mr & Mrs Gordon, Brentwood

"I wanted to add a codicil to my Will and also complete Lasting Power of Attorney for both finance and health. My Solicitor, Matthew Edwards was very helpful and attentive to every detail. He acted efficiently and with attention to detail. I was very pleased and impressed by the service given and would not hesitate in using Pinney Talfourd Solicitors."

Denise Douglas

"Your service was outstanding."

Mr I Dalton, West Horndon

"Excellent service. Thank you Matthew."

Denise Douglas, Great Wakering

"We were very pleased with the services and advice given when completing our Wills and Declaration of Trust. All our queries were answered clearly and information provided was easy to understand. Preparing the Wills was made straightforward and we thought Matthew Edwards was very helpful and efficient. We have and will recommend your services to others."

Mr & Mrs John, Essex

"I was fortunate to meet Matthew Edwards in 2008 when my father was seriously ill. My father required a solicitor to act for him regarding matters relating to his Will and Estate. Matthew was kind enough to arrange a home visit. Not only did Matthew provide an excellent legal service, where his meticulous attention to detail was very much appreciated, but he showed an extraordinary level of care and understanding to his elderly client. The reassurance and support that he gave my father was well and truly above the call of duty. After my father's death, Matthew was yet again instrumental in helping me in my new role as Executor of my father's will. He guided me through the legal processes and showed great patience and understanding in explaining legal processes that I was not familiar with. I would thoroughly recommend his work and his charming personality."

Mrs L Peddie, Thorpe Bay

"Thank you for your help in dealing with Power of Attorney for myself and sorting out my will. You explained everything in such a clear and precise way. It is the first time I have ever understood what a solicitor was talking about. Thank you again for a very efficient job."

Mr K Fowler, Brentwood

"Matthew Edwards has provided excellent support for us through several family matters over the years."

Legal 500 2023

EXPERTISE

BADGES & AWARDS

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

Areas of expertise

Noteable achievements

Qualifications & memberships

Matthew Edwards Re-Appointed to the Court of Protection’s Panel of Professional Deputies

Pinney Talfourd is delighted to announce our support for the Saint Francis Hospice Make a Will fortnight campaign

What is STEP and what does it mean for our clients?