Samuel Collingwood Smith, the author of Matthew Hopkins News, was born in the north of England, but his family moved south early in his life and spent most of his early years in Welwyn Garden City before attending Queen Mary, University of London, where he studied Economics.

Smith was employed as a Labour Party fundraiser in the 2001 General Election, and as a Labour Party Organiser in the 2005 General Election. In 2005 Smith was elected as a Borough Councillor for Haldens Ward on Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and served for 3 years until 2008. In 2009 Smith changed sides to the Conservative party citing division within Labour ranks and Conservative improvements to local services.

In 2012 Smith started to study a Graduate Diploma in Law, passing in 2014. Smith then moved on to studying a Master’s Degree in Law. During his study, Smith assisted several individuals in high profile court cases as a McKenzie Friend – in one case being praised by Parliamentary petition for his charitable work and legal skills.

Smith is also the author of this blog, Matthew Hopkins News, that deals with case law around Family and Mental Capacity issues as well as online drama and abuse and also criticism of Labour and far-left politicians.

Smith has now passed the LPC, with an average grade equivalent to a commendation and a distinction for  litigation. Smith would be entitled to take up a contract as a trainee solicitor (attorney) subject to approval by the regulator. Whilst he has passed his qualifications as a lawyer, in order to become a solicitor he would have to undertake a two years training contract.

Because two years as a trainee could involve a pay cut, at present Sam assists as a charitable McKenzie Friend pro-bono.