APPEAL introduces its new Co-Director

We are extremely pleased to announce that APPEAL’s new Co-Director is to be the renowned criminal defence lawyer and campaigner, Matt Foot.
 
Matt has been a defence solicitor at the law firm Birnberg Peirce for more than 17 years, building a reputation as one of the country’s top miscarriage of justice lawyers and acting in a number of high-profile criminal appeals, including those of Sam Hallam and Eddie Gilfoyle, as well as specialising in protest cases.  
 
Alongside his legal practice, Matt has established himself as a leading voice in the fight to make the system fairer for those at the sharp end of criminal justice. Most recently he co-wrote Charged: How the Police Try to Suppress Protest - an investigation into violent and authoritarian police tactics. Previously he co-led campaigns to reform Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and to protect legal aid, co-founding Justice Alliance. 
 
Matt has written extensively in the media, including in the Guardian and the London Review of Books. He will join APPEAL’s Co-Director, Emma Torr in leading the organisation of 13 staff from September 2023.

About joining APPEAL, Matt Foot says:  
 
“I am very excited to be joining the fight against miscarriages of justice with the indomitable APPEAL team. Having worked in the police stations and courtrooms of this country for 25 years, I know that our criminal justice system is failing to separate the guilty from the innocent with any precision. I am joining APPEAL to do something about this, as a lawyer and as a campaigner.” 
 
Emma Torr, APPEAL’s Legal Director says: 
 
“I could not be more delighted to welcome Matt to join me at the helm at APPEAL. As an expert in criminal defence and a leading campaigner, he is the ideal person to help lead the organisation into its second decade of fighting miscarriages of justice and demanding reform. Matt will take over from Emily Bolton who is stepping down from her role as Director to focus on casework and campaigns.”