Matthew Harding practises in commercial and public law. He has particular expertise in equity and trusts and in the law and regulation of charities and other not-for-profit organisations.

Matthew started his legal career at Allens, where he worked in the corporate/commercial and tax groups. He later joined the University of Melbourne, where he has taught a range of subjects including equity and trusts, property law, and torts. He was Dean of the Melbourne Law School from 2022 to 2024.

Matthew’s published work is regularly cited by courts both in Australia and overseas. He is a member of the Law Council of Australia Charities Committee, the Council of the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration, and the Australian Academy of Law. He is also a past chair of the Charity Law Association of Australia and New Zealand.

Matthew has Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts degrees (first class honours) from the University of Melbourne, as well as a Bachelor of Civil Law degree (with distinction) and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Oxford.

Matthew’s mentor is James McComish, and his senior mentors are Philip Crutchfield KC and Dr Paul Vout KC.

*Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation

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