Matthew Bellusci

I am a Consultant Solicitor for Duncan Lewis specialising within all aspects of Prison Law. I am experienced within the area of Prison Law since qualification as a solicitor, particularly in representing prisoners. I am committed to ensuring that all prisoners are provided with access to justice.

My main role is to represent indeterminate sentence prisoners before the Parole Board and represent offenders who have been subjected to licence recall. I also represent offenders when they have been charged with allegations of breach of prison discipline and have been instructed in a number of High Profile Judicial Review matters arising from Prison Law matters or breaches of an offender's Human Rights.

I have been successful with a number of applications for my clients. In addition to successful Judicial Review claims, I have been successful in winning damages for my clients, for parole delay or a failure by the Ministry of Justice to ensure an offender would have a meaningful review of there continued detention. I also take instruction on Criminal Appeals, I have assisted a number of applications through the Criminal Appeal Process, including cases of Murder Appeals.

In addition to this, I also accept instructions on all aspects of General Crime. I am no stranger to representation of an offender for the most serious offences.

• Management Course Stage Level 1
• University of Central Lancashire – Diploma in Legal Practice Electives in Advanced Commercial litigation, Employment law, and Human Rights 2005-2006
• University of Glamorgan, LLB (Hons), 2:1 - 2002-2005

• Commenced Training Contract in 2008
• Qualified and admitted to the roll in 2010
• Worked as Prison Law supervisor, developed the department at another Legal Aid provider up until engagement of consultancy

Criminal Court

R v Wrigley

R(OTA) Oakes v Parole Board & Secretary of State 2009 - Successful claim in respect of the Parole Board not to grant an oral hearing.

R(OTA) Smith v Parole Board 2013 - Successful claim in respect of Parole Board decision to refuse a prisoner a recommendation to transfer to open conditions.

Civil Court

Armstrong v UK - Article 6 ECHR issue and right to fair trial in the UK Courts.