Matthew Frey

Matthew is a DPhil Candidate in Law at the University of Oxford, supervised by Professor Robert Stevens. His research seeks to untangle the different senses of “election” used in the context of private law remedies.

One kind of remedial “election” involves substantive powers exercised outside of court (“substantive election”). An example is the power to avoid a contract which has been induced by fraudulent misrepresentation. Another remedial “election” involves a procedural power exercised within court proceedings by the claimant against the court’s jurisdictional power (“procedural election”). This is the sort of choice required between damages for conversion and waiver of tort. Neither the cases nor the commentary have distinguished these kinds of “election”, or explained the principles behind when and why a claimant must “elect” between remedies. Matthew’s research seeks to explain those principles for the first time. This research is generously funded by the AHRC, and matched by the Ann Kennedy Scholarship from Lady Margaret Hall.

Matthew previously read BA Classical Tripos at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge—finishing Top of Tripos. He went on to read BA Jurisprudence (with Senior Status) at Jesus College, University of Oxford, and came Top of the Second BA. He then read for the BCL at Trinity College, University of Oxford, graduating with a Distinction.

In his spare time, Matthew serves as a Co-Convener of the Obligations Discussion Group. He enjoys debating and mooting, having competed in and won various university and international competitions.