Duncan Lewis Solicitors Welcomes Matthew McConville as Director and Head of Data Claims (23 July 2026)

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is pleased to welcome Matthew McConville as a Director within the firm's Actions Against Public Authorities department and Head of the Data Claims department. Based in the Manchester office, Matthew represents clients across England and Wales in complex civil liberties, human rights and data protection matters.

Matthew joins the firm with more than a decade of specialist experience representing individuals whose rights have been infringed by public authorities and private organisations. His appointment further strengthens Duncan Lewis Solicitors' nationally recognised Civil Liberties and Human Rights practice while expanding the firm's expertise in data protection and privacy litigation.

Throughout his career, Matthew has successfully represented clients in a wide range of complex claims involving human rights breaches, false imprisonment, unlawful arrest and detention, excessive force, trespass, malicious prosecution, misfeasance in public office, and breaches of data protection and privacy rights. He has secured substantial compensation and other remedies for clients across England and Wales, including apologies, declarations of wrongdoing, policy changes and accountability measures against those responsible.

Matthew has extensive experience pursuing claims against police forces, local authorities, government departments, healthcare providers, financial institutions, telecommunications companies and other organisations responsible for safeguarding personal information. His work has included cases involving unlawful arrests, excessive use of force, failures by public authorities to protect vulnerable individuals, and serious data breaches affecting victims of domestic abuse, children, families and other vulnerable people.

Prior to joining Duncan Lewis, Matthew established and led specialist Actions Against the Police and Data Protection departments at a leading civil litigation firm. In addition to managing complex and high-value cases, he supervised legal teams, developed departmental strategy, implemented operational procedures, and played a key role in the continued growth and success of both practices.

As a Director of Actions Against Public Authorities and as Head of Data Claims at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, Matthew will co-lead the continued growth of the firm’s already extensive practice in public authority challenges and he will also lead the firm's growing practice in privacy, data protection and information rights litigation. He will continue to represent individuals seeking redress following mistakes by the state as well as the unlawful disclosure, misuse, loss or mishandling of personal information, while further developing the firm's expertise in this evolving area of law.

Matthew is passionate about ensuring that individuals are able to hold both public authorities and private organisations to account when their rights have been breached. His commitment to achieving meaningful outcomes for clients closely aligns with Duncan Lewis Solicitors' longstanding dedication to access to justice and protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals.

Commenting on joining Duncan Lewis Solicitors, Matthew said:

"I am absolutely thrilled to have joined such a specialist and dedicated national law firm such as Duncan Lewis Solicitors. I am incredibly passionate about what Duncan Lewis Solicitors stands for with regard to their particular focus on giving people a voice; this principle aligns with my commitment to provide accessible and high-quality legal representation to those who need it. I very much look forward to bringing enhanced growth to Duncan Lewis Solicitors’ Actions Against Public Authorities and Data Claims practice so that those who have been wronged can secure the justice and recourse that they deserve."

Duncan Lewis Solicitors' Civil Liberties and Human Rights practice is recognised nationally for its expertise and commitment to client care, holding rankings in both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500. The firm's Actions Against Public Authorities team represents clients nationwide in claims against police forces, prisons, local authorities, government departments and other public bodies, while its Data Claims practice assists individuals whose privacy and data protection rights have been violated.

To learn more about Duncan Lewis Solicitors' Actions Against Public Authorities and Data Claims teams, or to seek advice regarding police misconduct, unlawful detention, human rights breaches, privacy claims or data protection matters, contact our specialist solicitors today.

For advice or assistance, please contact Matthew McConville via email at matthewm@duncanlewis.com or telephone on 020 7275 2869.