The death of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer intellectual property lawyer Matthew Courtney was an accident, according to the findings of an inquest held this week (15 May).
At a hearing at Southwark Coroner’s Court, the coroner ruled that Courtney died from severe head and chest injuries as a result of a fall from height from a stairwell at Tate Modern on 9 February and that Courtney had not intended to take his own life.
The reporting police officer told the court that in his personal opinion Courtney’s death looked like an accident. It appeared his BlackBerry had been placed on the banister rail and Courtney had fallen when he had tried to sit next to it.
The court heard that Courtney had been working extra hours in the period before his death as a result of two projects finishing simultaneously. However, the coroner said he was unlikely to have been under more stress than others holding high-pressure jobs in the City.
He had talked to a psychiatrist the day before his death, mentioning he was under a heavy workload, which had recently seen him work from 8am to 10pm although the coroner found there was nothing to suggest an impending problem.
Courtney had previously suffered from depression, but was not receiving treatment at the time of his death and his parents have stated there was nothing to suggest he had suffered a relapse.
Following the death, Freshfields was criticised by a number of national newspapers, which suggested Courtney may have been overworked.
The 27-year-old was a high flyer, achieving straight A* at GCSEs, six As at A level and attending Oxford University. He joined Freshfields as a trainee in August 2004, qualifying into the IP department last year.
In a statement, Freshfields said: “Matthew Courtney was an excellent lawyer with great potential. He was engaging and popular. Matthew will be greatly missed by all who worked with him.”
