Matt Gatenby

Solicitor

Matt brings a wealth of rounded experience of over 10 years in the travel industry, most of that in a travel and holiday law capacity.

Friendly and approachable, Matt’s work at Travlaw tends to focus on civil and commercial litigation, and his skill-set encompasses all levels of work from Small Claims matters right up to those in the Fast and Multi tracks. Such cases include illness group actions and claims with a cross border element, and he has been proud to serve a vast array of tour operators, travel agents, trade associations, insurers and their underwriters. Matt also has experience of more diverse work such as trading standards matters, director’s disqualification cases and employment law issues. In only a short time with Travlaw Matt has achieved notable results in defending claims against clients as well as recovering significant debts outstanding to them in both the UK and abroad.

In terms of involvement in the matters client’s have, Matt takes an unequivocal stance – “I have always been on board with the firm’s ethos of rolling up the sleeves and getting stuck in whatever the job, from the beginning, where a pro-active approach always benefits, right until the conclusion. Although many matters can be resolved quickly and efficiently, if that is not the case then there is a great professional satisfaction in being there at the beginning, and getting a result right at the end.”

Matt has contributed to Travel Law Quarterly is a member of the Travel and Tourism Lawyers Association, and is currently working towards achieving the Civil Proceedings Higher Rights of Audience.

Top travel tip? Why suffer mosquitoes? Consider taking Vitamin B1 supplements two weeks or so before travel and you should be either bite free, or at least notice a big difference.

Budget or luxury? Budget – there’s more fun to be had that way!

Best ever holiday? The South of France - it’s peaceful, relaxing, interesting and just a very beautiful part of the world.

Best travel law advice to clients? In terms of advice for clients, given that this subject is always, always, always an issue, I would have to say: “The accurate taking, maintenance and storage of notes and documents is key - look after your records, and they will look after you!”