Scots defence lawyer arrested and charged with stalking rival solicitor
- Rory Cassidy
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
A prominent lawyer has been arrested and charged over a 10-year stalking campaign towards a rival solicitor.
Defence solicitor Matthew Berlow, who represents clients at courts across Scotland, was due to appear in court over the claims today, after being detained at his home.
But prosecutors have said the case is against him has been paused - until any new evidence comes to life.
The 56-year-old had been taken in for questioning over claims he stalked former police officer and ex-law firm boss Neil McPherson, 69.
Mr McPherson served as a police officer in Glasgow before starting Kilmarnock-based law firm Neil F McPherson solicitors.
He also served as Chairman and Manager of junior football side Darvel FC, but has since retired.
Berlow's firm boasts online that they have "a superb reputation" and represent clients in Glasgow, Ayr, Kilmarnock and "throughout Scotland".
The company's website also states they "believe in treating all clients with respect, dignity and compassion".
He was due to appear in the dock himself after he was charged with a stalking offence, following his arrest last month.
He was released on an undertaking to appear at court and given bail conditions banning him from approaching or contacting Mr McPherson and his wife.
The criminal lawyer was also banned from entering their street, in the upmarket Glasgow suburb of Newton Mearns.
He was due to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court today, Thursday, May 21, 2026, following his arrest last month.
His name was on paperwork sent to the court by prosecutors from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
But he did not appear in the dock, instead being given a letter advising him what was happening with his case.
Berlow appeared at court and collected the letter before leaving the building.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 56-year old man has been arrested and charged following a report of stalking in the Newton Mearns area received on Thursday, 3 July, 2025.
“A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal."
A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS): “The Procurator Fiscal received a report relating to a 56-year-old man and an offence said to have been committed between 2015 and 2026.
“After careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, including the available admissible evidence, the Procurator Fiscal decided that there should be no proceedings taken at this time.
"The Crown reserves the right to proceed in the future should further evidence become available."
Berlow's firm's website also adds: "We have a vast amount of experience in criminal law, dealing with a wide range of crimes on a day-to-day basis.
"We can represent you in police stations, courts, DWP offices and barracks throughout Scotland.
"We defend all types of criminal offences in Scotland including cases at the High Court, Sheriff Court and District Court (now Justice of the Peace Court).
"Our criminal lawyer team deal with all cases no matter how big or small.
"Our lawyers get results, as one of the top law firms in Glasgow we have a reputation for getting charges dropped for our clients."
Not sure who reads this obscure rag but I do remember the journalist Rory Cassidy being close to the solicitor Neil McPherson and Always printing positive stories about him in the daily record . In fact , the allegations against me were false as could clearly be seen by the PF . In reality it is the solicitor and members of HIS family who are under suspicion of stalking and are to stand trial in Paisley in July 2026 for a 10 year antisemitic stalking campaign against me . It’s called “projection “