Matthew Knight attended Newcastle University and the College of Law at Guildford.

After completing his articles with Farrer & Co and after two years of post-qualification experience with Sinclair Roche & Temperley, he joined Cripps Harries Hall in 1984.

He became a partner two years later. He established Knights Solicitors in 1994 with Michael McNally.

Married with three young daughters, his pastimes include hunting, shooting, stalking and sailing.

Memberships
- Compulsory Purchase Association
- Professional Negligence Lawyers Association
- Agricultural Law Association

His reported cases include:

R(oao Roudham & Larling Parish Council) v Breckland Council & Paul Rackham Ltd (Interested Party) [2008] EWCA Civ 714
- Court of Appeal: judicial review relating to Environmental Impact Assessment and reasons for planning decisions.

In the matter of R Mears & Co (Holdings) Ltd (1) Richard Mears (2) Tynllan Ltd v R Mears & Co (Holdings) Ltd & 6 Others (2002) 2 BCLC 1
- High Court, Chancery Division: s.459 Companies Act 1985 proceedings.

Commissioners of Customs & Excise v British Field Sports Society [1998] 1 WLR 962; [1998] 2 All ER 1003.
- Court of Appeal: successful appeal from VAT Tribunal.

Scott & Others v National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty (1998) LTL 13/11/98 ex tempore
Scott & Others v National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty & Anor [1998] 2 All ER 705
Ex Parte Scott & Others sub nom R v Council of the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, ex Parte Scott & Others, [1998] 1 WLR 226; Independent, July 21, 1997
High Court – Administrative Court and Chancery Division: challenge to National Trust ban on staghunting on its land; issue of appropriate type of proceedings and venue for challenge to vires of actions of statutory charity.

R v Somerset County Council, ex parte Fewings & Others (1995) 1 WLR 1037; (1995) 3 All ER 20.
- Court of Appeal: scope of local authority powers in relation to land use.”