Matrix Chambers > London, England > Set Profile
Matrix Chambers Offices
GRIFFIN BUILDING, GRAY'S INN
LONDON
WC1R 5LN
England
Profiles
Matrix Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations) Tier 1
Matrix Chambers is an ‘excellent‘ multi-disciplinary set and regularly advises banks, financial institutions and other corporate entities as well as individuals on complex criminal charges. Alex Bailin KC and Edward Craven, representing a former employee of the company, and Clare Montgomery KC, for the company, represent defendants in the SFO's ongoing case regarding Glencore, the company having entered guilty pleas to bribery offences in order to secure access to oil rights in several African countries.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The clerks are excellent; Paul Venables and Rhian Hiscocks are both a pleasure to work with.’
‘Paul Venables and Samantha Blake are both extremely responsive, and in my experience have gone above and beyond in discussions on both timetables and fees.’
‘Paul Venables is one of the best clerks in London.’
‘The clerks are incredibly polite, personable and knowledgeable. Accordingly, I have experienced that they are always poised to identify the most suitable barrister (level of experience and expertise) and able to suitably negotiate fees to progress matters.’
‘Matrix are a very professional set who take clerking to another level as it is seen as equally as important as the legal services side. They look after every aspect and go above and beyond regularly.’
‘Matrix is a quality set with some great practitioners.’
‘In the last few years the strength in this chambers has really broadened in white collar crime, with a number of people I would instruct.’
‘A wide variety of skills, all to a high level.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Education Tier 1
Matrix Chambers is noted for its wide-reaching expertise in education law, with a growing reputation for acting in case law-shaping cases for schools, universities, individuals, and governmental bodies. Recent highlights include David Wolfe KC‘s appearance challenging the Government’s conversion of London’s Holland Park School into part of a multi-academy trust, with notable implications for the national academisation program. Sarah Hannett KC advised the University of Essex on a high-profile threatened judicial review surrounding the university's harassment policies. Daniel Squires KC conducted a noteworthy investigation into an independent school’s teaching of politically sensitive issues, while Helen Mountfield KC represented a visually impaired student in a race and disability discrimination claim against the Oxford Union after he was removed from a debate by security staff. The set’s profile was further bolstered with Claire Darwin KC and Nick Armstrong KC taking silk in 2023.Leading Silks
2023 Silks
Testimonials
‘The clerks are helpful and responsive.’
‘Elizabeth Bousher is always efficient and personable.’
‘The clerks are always polite, proficient, and helpful.’
‘A set with a strong reputation in education law. Many of its members have now taken silk, so it has real strength at the senior end.’
‘Matrix is a stand-out set with a wealth of high profile barristers who are exceptional leaders in their field.’
‘A go-to chambers for education and public law work.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Elections Tier 1
Matrix Chambers has an excellent reputation for handling the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious work in the election law space. Gavin Millar KC is a highly regarded election law expert, and Helen Mountfield KC is sought after for her expertise in advising on election petitions. In recent instructions, Sarah Sackman successfully represented the respondent local councillor in Buchan v Elliott, defeating an election petition challenging the result of a Hartlepool Borough Council election - at issue in this case was if statements made on the victor's leaflets about the second-placed a minor party candidate's support for a locally controversial housing development were political or personal.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > International crime and extradition Tier 1
Matrix Chambers is experienced in advising corporate and individual clients on extradition exposure in international criminal cases, and the set’s barristers have been instructed in numerous cases before international courts such as the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. Leading Jessica Jones, Alex Bailin KC represented the former CEO of Autonomy in USA v Michael Lynch, an extradition case in relation to allegations of fraud by HP concerning its $11bn purchase of the company, with Mark Summers KC opposing him for the US government. Clare Montgomery KC represented the former vice president of FIFA Jack Warner in an appeal against extradition from Trinidad to the United States, while Mark Summers KC has been instructed in Japan v Chappell, a case concerning a jewellery heist in Tokyo in 2015; a rare case of extradition from the UK to Japan in the absence of an extradition treaty between the states.Leading Silks
2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Excellent strength in depth.’
‘Excellent clerking!’
Work highlights
London Bar > Administrative law and human rights Tier 2
Matrix Chambers is ‘a very strong public law and human rights set‘. Claimant work forms the key pillar of the practice, and the set reports an increase in mandates relating to government policies. Jessica Simor KC ‘clearly and concisely articulates complex legal arguments, and she is always prepared to challenge the status quo‘. In recent work for the team, Simor KC led Emma Foubister for the claimants in R (Friends of the Earth Ltd and others) v Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, a judicial review challenging the legality of the Government’s Net Zero Strategy; the High Court ruled that the strategy breached the Government’s obligations under the Climate Change Act. Edward Craven is ‘an exceptional barrister with an incredible mind‘. In a boost to chambers, Nick Armstrong KC, Claire Darwin KC and Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC were all elevated to silk in March 2023.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2022 Silks
2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Elizabeth Bousher is exceptionally good at her job.’
‘Simon Gardner, Sarah Walker and Elizabeth Bousher are an essential cog in the Matrix machine.’
‘Elizabeth Bousher, Sarah Walker and Simon Gardner have been absolutely stellar.’
‘Matrix is a top class set.’
‘Matrix is an incredibly strong set with a large number of impressive barristers.’
‘Great breadth and depth on all human rights and public law.’
‘Leading human rights chambers.’
‘Counsel provide high calibre advice and advocacy.’
London Bar > Data protection Tier 2
At Matrix Chambers, Antony White KC and Edward Craven are acting in O’Carroll v Meta, a high-profile claim concerning the legality of processing personal data for the purpose of delivering direct marketing on Facebook. In a separate matter, Ian Helme is representing the fintech company in Delo v Wise, a claim over alleged violations of Article 15 of the GDPR, raising issues as to the obligations of financial institutions under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 when subjected to subject access requests.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Ali Scanes and Liz Bousher are both excellent.’
‘Paul Venables runs his team well. He is an absolute pleasure to work with.’
‘An extremely strong set in this area.’
‘Matrix has an exceptionally high standard. It has some of the most formidable barristers in the field.’
‘Matrix is strong on data protection law.’
‘A very good clerking team.’
‘They are diligent, flexible and work hard to put together the right team.’
London Bar > Defamation and privacy Tier 2
The barristers at Matrix Chambers continue to act in some of the most widely recognized defamation and privacy cases and are part of an ‘excellent set’ with strong barristers practising from junior to silk level in this field. The chambers often represent well-known clients from major news publications and broadcasters to high profile individuals. Gavin Millar KC is instructed to represent the defendant in Chisti v Telegraph Media Group, a case raising the question of if reports of proceedings in foreign legislatures are protected by similar forms of privilege to reporting of parliament, while Aidan Wills successfully represented Corker Binning, which received summary judgment defeating a claim by a litigant in person that a case law update by the firm was defamatory of him.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The practice team is led by Alison Scanes and Chris Beard, who are both excellent and work as equally hard as Counsel to progress a client’s matter with Counsel’s availability.’
‘Matrix clerks are very responsive.’
‘Very good practice team – responsive and helpful in getting cases listed etc.’
‘Excellent’
‘Matrix has a stellar media team that offers availability across all call brackets from juniors to silks and provides first class advice and advice across the relevant fields. ‘
‘Very professional’
‘Strength in depth, responsive barristers who are very approachable and collegiate, with good training and public events.’
‘Matrix Chambers is an excellent set and its members have led the way in developing the various areas of media law.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Employment Tier 2
The employment team at Matrix Chambers has been kept busy advising on industrial relations cases, equal pay claims, restrictive covenants and discrimination matters, to name a few areas of instruction. James Laddie KC garners praise as ‘the barrister you want on your side on the most complex, sensitive and reputationally-concerning matters‘. Mathew Purchase KC is well-known for representing claimants, employers and trade unions before all levels of the judicial system. Turning to the juniors, Tom Gillie‘s caseload spans whistleblowing, discrimination and human rights matters, while Nathan Roberts successfully acted as sole counsel for the Group Chief Investment Officer of an international business before the Employment Tribunal in an automatic unfair dismissal and whistleblowing claim, resulting in an award of over £1.6m. Recent growth for the set includes Edward Kemp joining the team from Littleton Chambers and Claire Darwin KC and Laura Prince KC being elevated to silk.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Alison Scanes is an exceptional clerk, and offers a first-rate service.’
‘Chris Smith who is very friendly and willing to help with any queries that we have.’
‘Chris Smith has been consistently excellent.’
‘Great set.’
‘Consistently good for employment counsel.’
‘Counsel are knowledgeable and experienced in their field.’
‘Very responsive and willing to go the extra mile when needed.’
‘Very helpful and efficient clerking.’
London Bar > Environment Tier 2
Matrix Chambers is home to 'a deep pool of extremely skilled barristers', with notable strength in handling climate change, biodiversity and marine protection matters. David Wolfe KC is 'a fearless advocate, who always goes the extra mile for his clients' and continues to assist environmental NGO company Wild Justice with ongoing challenges to public bodies on a wide spectrum of environmental issues. The 'authoritative' Zoë Leventhal KC has expertise in relation to the Habitats Directive. Among the junior end of chambers, Kate Cook is 'knowledgeable, flexible, pragmatic and calm', with an excellent track record in advising on international environmental issues, and the 'fiercely bright' Emma Foubister is 'deeply enthusiastic about claimant environmental law'.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Sarah Walker is very responsive, professional, and friendly, and able to organise and orchestrate with ease.’
‘Matrix is a very strong set for public environmental law.’
‘The barristers at Matrix are of first-rate intellect and professionalism.’
‘An excellent chambers.’
‘The clerks are professional and helpful.’
‘A team of excellent clerks.’
‘The clerks are supremely efficient.’
‘The clerks take a fresh approach that reflects our values and motivations.’
London Bar > European Union law Tier 2
Matrix Chambers‘ members are widely recognised for advising on a broad range of EU law matters, and appear before all court levels up to the Court of Justice of the European Union. Members of the set are appearing on both sides of Jersey Choice v Her Majesty’s Treasury and HMRC, a longrunning damages action concerning the removal of a VAT relief on the basis it was discriminatory under EU law; the case is due to be heard before the Supreme Court in late 2023. David Wolfe KC is 'superb on his feet' and has an excellent track record in handling a wide spectrum of complex EU-related matters. Takis Tridimas is 'an exceptional advocate' who 'knows EU law inside-out'.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Matrix Chambers is very accommodating and responsive.’
‘Excellent clerking adds to the service. Commercial in approach.’
‘Friendly, responsive clerks who go the extra mile to assist.’
‘The clerks are always more than happy to help. Engaged and engaging.’
London Bar > Group litigation Tier 2
As a ‘standout in terms of dealing with matters that are cutting edge and may require litigating up to the higher courts’, Matrix Chambers includes ‘strong multi-disciplinarians‘ for group litigation in fields such as competition, environmental, employment, media and data protection law. Antony White KC has been involved in many high-profile data protection and privacy cases of recent years, and is currently member of a team of counsel representing Meta in Gormsen v Meta Platforms Inc, a case concerning an allegation that Facebook's terms and conditions, requiring consent to behaviour tracking for advertisements, was an abuse of a dominant position - the claim was not certified. Led by Richard Hermer KC and Edward Craven are representing 40,000 Nigerian claimants in claims concerning the liability of the largest oil company in Nigeria and its UK parent company, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, for mass oil pollution in mangrove swamps in the Niger Delta. Craven is working with Kate Boakes in representing tens of thousands of claimants in the Dieselgate emission group litigation against Jaguar Land Rover, Ford and BMW among others.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The clerks are helpful and professional.’
‘Elizabeth Bousher is very experienced and responsive.’
‘I have appreciated the work put in by the clerks, particularly Chris Smith. They are diligent, flexible and work hard to put together the right team.’
‘Chris Smith particularly impressive and proactive.’
‘Sarah Walker is very responsive, professional, and friendly.’
‘The barristers that we work with from Matrix are always of the highest quality.’
‘This set is a standout in terms of dealing with matters that are cutting edge and may require litigating up to the higher courts, or that touch on areas of international law and human rights. They are strong multi-disciplinarians and they are solid at all levels.’
‘Matrix has real depth in group actions in the environmental, human rights, competition and data protection areas.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Immigration (including business immigration) Tier 2
Matrix Chambers covers the full breadth of work and courts, with particular strengths in trafficking, modern slavery, immigration systems, and publicly-funded work more generally, while sports and business immigration have been a growing focus for the set. The set continues to engage with high-profile litigation, with Raza Husain KC, amidst his wider practice in refugee and HNW individuals asylum claims, has been leading a team in relation to the judicial review around the government’s Rwanda policy; Jonathan Glasson KC acting on behalf of the government in respect of the Shamima Begum appeal; and Christopher Buttler KC being a leading counsel challenging the Home Secretary’s pushback’s policy regarding the small boats in the Channel. Hugh Southey KC and Samantha Knights KC have been active in relation to work around exclusion on the basis of national security and EU asylum claims respectively.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The practice teams at Matrix are helpful and responsive. They offer a high degree of professionalism and good advice on counsel expertise and availability.‘
‘Matrix is a strong immigration and trafficking set. The majority of counsel I work with are from Matrix and provide high calibre advice and advocacy.‘
‘Excellent set with good breadth of counsel with expertise in this area and excellent training sessions.‘
Work highlights
London Bar > Inquests and inquiries Tier 2
Matrix Chambers boasts a ‘strong team with strength in depth‘ and an excellent track record in appearing in high-profile inquests and inquiries. Danny Friedman KC continues to be involved in the Grenfell Tower and COVID-19 inquiries, leading Raj Desai in the former. Jonathan Glasson KC has expertise in cases involving national security and has been instructed in the Bloody Sunday and Mark Duggan inquests, while Phillippa Kaufmann KC represented the family of Jermaine Baker into the public inquiry into his death – Baker was shot dead by armed police while engaged in a plot to free two prisoners being transported to Wood Green Crown Court. At junior level, Ifeanyi Odogwu often acts for families in controversial cases involving the police, and has recently been instructed by the family of a woman who was killed in a crush outside the Brixton Academy prior to a concert by Afrobeats act Asake. Adam Straw KC and Nick Armstrong KC both took silk in 2023.2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Matrix is a top chambers for inquests and public inquiry work.’
‘A strong team with strength in depth, availability of counsel and training programmes.’
‘Matrix has some significant practitioners in the area of public inquiries, acting for a mixture of state and non-state core participants.’
London Bar > Police law (claimant) Tier 2
With a ‘very strong cross-section of expertise,’ the police law team at Matrix Chambers instructs on police misfeasance and misconduct, inquest and inquiry work with a specialism in representing bereaved families. Phillippa Kaufmann KC instructs on a breadth of investigatory and correctional cases arising from the criminal justice system, while also advising on false imprisonment and malicious prosecution cases under the Human Rights Act. Hugh Southey KC advises on Article 6 and 8 claims, while Richard Hermer KC provides counsel on high-profile civil claims related to alleged police corruption. Ifeanyi Odogwu represents bereaved families in cases concerning deaths in custody, while Jesse Nicholls represents a number of individuals who have suffered life-changing injuries as a result of police restraint.Rising stars
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Liz Boucher is excellent and very responsive; Simon Gardner’s experience is a real asset; Paul Venables is peerless.’
‘They have a large range of excellent barristers. They are my go-to set for reliably high quality counsel’
‘The police team at Matrix is top drawer – characterised by real talent and commitment.’
‘Matrix is a set you can trust to bring an intelligent approach to a case.’
‘The clerks are unanimously helpful, available and responsive.’
‘Matrix have a very strong cross-section of expertise, they have great availability, and their training programme is of the highest standard.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Public international law Tier 2
Members of Matrix Chambers are active across the whole range of public international law including investment treaty claims, state-versus-state disputes as well as cases before the ICJ and are frequently called upon to advise on international legal issues arising in the UK litigation context. The set was bolstered in March 2023 with Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC taking silk. On the junior end, Toby Fisher joined in September 2022 from an in-house role in the New Zealand government – he was instructed to act on behalf of New Zealand to intervene in the ICJ proceedings brought by Ukraine against Russia under the Genocide Convention. In a high-profile ICJ case concerning the status and location of the land boundary between Venezuela and Guyana, Edward Craven represented Guyana in its high-profile ICJ dispute with the government of Venezuela, which claims more than half of Guyana’s territory by rejecting an 1899 arbitral award. Michelle Butler, led by Antony White KC, is instructed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to contest jurisdiction in the claim of Ghanem Al-Masarir, represented by Richard Hermer KC, on the basis of sovereign immunity – the Saudi dissident claims damages in the London courts for the alleged hacking of his mobile phone using Pegasus spyware.2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Matrix Chambers retains a strong profile in international law – high degree of expertise in that area.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Competition Tier 3
Drawing upon strong expertise in related areas of law such as EU, public, criminal and commercial litigation, Matrix Chambers is well placed to handle complex and high profile competition matters concerning state aid, public procurement, utilities regulation and commercial judicial review. Rhodri Thompson KC and Nicholas Gibson have continued to act for UK Trucks Claim Ltd in UK Trucks Claim v Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V and others, representing the proposed class representative in a collective damages action before the CAT under section 47B of the Competition Act. In R (SSE Generation Ltd) v CMA, the first time a decision of the CMA in its appellate capacity was subjected to judicial review, Christopher Brown achieved a favourable result for the regulator in a three-day hearing before the Court of Appeal.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Matrix Chambers are very accommodating and responsive. Training programmes are a gap in their offering compared to those offered by other sets.’
‘Excellent service form this set.’
‘The clerks are approachable and available.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Court of Protection and community care Tier 3
Matrix Chambers has strong expertise in community care matters, often at its interface with civil liberties. and works with a wide range of clients, including individuals, local authorities, government, healthcare regulators, care providers and NGOs. Nick Armstrong KC was appointed silk in 2023.Rising stars
Leading Silks
Testimonials
‘Matrix Chambers is a very strong set operating in the social welfare and community care area. The counsels provide high calibre advice and advocacy.’
‘Matrix Chambers is a stand-out chambers due to the significant range and number of specialist barristers with high profiles.’
‘The clerks are efficient, polite and flexible. The service is very high quality.’
‘The clerking team at Matrix Chambers is helpful and responsive. It offers a high degree of professionalism and good advice on counsel expertise and availability.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Crime Tier 3
Primarily acting for the defence, Matrix Chambers is a strong criminal law set, with particular expertise in cases with human rights components. Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC, who took silk in March 2023, has a track record of cases where Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights is run as a defence - she is instructed to represent two members of Palestine Action, who used parliamentary visitor passes to gain access to the member's lobby where they doused a statue of Lord Balfour with tomato ketchup. Tim James-Matthews and Clare Montgomery KC represented the defendants in Director of Public Prosecutions v Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court, a prosecution appeal concerning the acquittal of individuals who dug tunnels in an attempt to interfere with construction of HS2. The set also has a track record of work relating to terrorism offences.Leading Silks
2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The clerking team really is professional. Paul Venables is fantastic.’
‘The clerks offer a good service. Paul Venables and his team are responsive and helpful.’
‘Matrix Chambers has exceptionally bright and capable criminal law barristers.’
‘There are very good barristers in this set across all levels of experience. They also offer top quality seminars that are well attended.’
‘All Matrix barristers are very high calibre.’
‘The clerking team at Matrix is superb and extremely responsive.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Fraud: crime Tier 3
Matrix Chambers is a ‘premier set of chambers’ that attracts high-profile fraud work. On an ad hoc admission in that jurisdiction, Tim Owen KC, ‘as strong strategically as he is legally’, has recently advised and represented Chinese businessman Jack Chen in relation to fraud charges brought against him by the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption as a result of purchases made by a company of his of dairy farms in New Zealand. Vedrana Pehar, a ‘clear and direct’ advocate, has recently defended a key director and gold dealer in a £266m money laundering case.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Paul Venables and Samantha Blake are both extremely responsive, and go above and beyond in discussions on both timetables and fees.’
‘The clerks are excellent. Paul Venables and Rhian Hiscocks are both a pleasure to work with.’
‘Matrix is a premier set of chambers attracting the most high-profile work.’
‘Matrix is a strong set with dynamic, charismatic counsel who are leaders in their fields.’
‘Matrix is a very professional set which takes clerking to another level as it is seen as equally as important as the legal services side. The clerks look after every aspect and go above and beyond regularly.’
‘The clerks’ room is engaged and diligent.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Telecoms Regulation
London Bar > Financial services regulation
Leading Silks
London Bar > Health and safety
Leading Silks
London Bar > International arbitration: counsel
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Local government (including rating law)
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Fraud: civil
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Proceeds of crime (POCA) and asset forfeiture
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Tax: VAT and excise
Leading Silks
London Bar > Commercial litigation
Leading Silks
London Bar > Planning
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Professional disciplinary and regulatory law
Leading Silks
London Bar > Sport
Leading Juniors
Middle East: The English Bar > Commercial
Matrix Chambers > Set Profile
Matrix is a barristers’ chambers located in London, Geneva and Brussels. Described as “professional and forward thinking”, Matrix is an approachable set that is proud of its record of innovation and focus on excellence. Core values govern the way it works and outline its commitment to operating within an environment where diversity, accessibility and client care are widely championed.
The depth of experience and expertise across a range of practice areas allow Matrix to provide a unique offering at the Bar. Matrix is uniquely positioned to deal with complex legal issues, particularly where they overlap multiple areas of law. Matrix has an established international presence, its members having worked in over 100 countries.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Chief Executive | Rachel Holmes | rachelholmes@matrixlaw.co.uk | |
Members of Chambers | AFEEVA, Mark (1997) | ||
Members of Chambers | ARMSTRONG KC, Nick (2001) | ||
Members of Chambers | AWUKU-ASABRE, Kwaku (2015) | ||
Members of Chambers | BAILIN KC, Alex (1995) | ||
Members of Chambers | BHATT, Radha (2020) | ||
Members of Chambers | BLAKE, Sir Nicholas (1974)* | ||
Members of Chambers | BOAKES, Kate (2014) | ||
Members of Chambers | BOISSON DE CHAZOURNES, Prof Laurence* | ||
Members of Chambers | BRENNAN KC, Lord Daniel (1967)* | ||
Members of Chambers | BROWN, Christopher (2002) | ||
Members of Chambers | BUCKLEY, Joanna (2011) | ||
Members of Chambers | BUTLER, Michelle (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | BUTTLER KC, Chris (2004) | ||
Members of Chambers | CHINKIN, Prof Christine (2003) | ||
Members of Chambers | CHOO, Prof Andrew (2002) | ||
Members of Chambers | CHRISTIE, Ayesha (2014) | ||
Members of Chambers | CLAPHAM, Prof Andrew (1985)* | ||
Members of Chambers | COMYN, Rosalind (2021) | ||
Members of Chambers | COOK, Kate (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | CRAVEN, Edward (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | CUNNINGHAM, Lucinda (2019) | ||
Members of Chambers | DARWIN KC, Claire (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | DAVIES, Anita (2011) | ||
Members of Chambers | DESAI, Raj (2010) | ||
Members of Chambers | ERDOS, Prof David* | ||
Members of Chambers | EVANS KC, Catrin (1994) | ||
Members of Chambers | FISHER, Toby (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | FOUBISTER, Emma (2016) | ||
Members of Chambers | FRIEDMAN KC, Danny (1996) | ||
Members of Chambers | GEARTY KC (Hon), Prof Conor (1995) | ||
Members of Chambers | GIBSON, Nicholas (2009) | ||
Members of Chambers | GILLIE, Tom (2013) | ||
Members of Chambers | GLASSON KC, Jonathan (1996) | ||
Members of Chambers | GONZÁLEZ GARCÍA, Luis* | ||
Members of Chambers | GREAVES, Mark (2016) | ||
Members of Chambers | HANNETT KC, Sarah (2003) | ||
Members of Chambers | HELME, Ian (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | HERMER KC, Richard (1993) | ||
Members of Chambers | HIGGINS, Nichola (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | HODIVALA KC, Jamas (1998) | ||
Members of Chambers | HOOPER, Sir Anthony (1965)* | ||
Members of Chambers | HUDSON KC, Anthony (1996) | ||
Members of Chambers | HUNT, Murray* | ||
Members of Chambers | HUSAIN KC, Raza (1993) | ||
Members of Chambers | HUTCHEON, Darryl (2014) | ||
Members of Chambers | IVESON, Florence (2012) | ||
Members of Chambers | JABER, Tamara (2013) | ||
Members of Chambers | JAMES-MATTHEWS, Tim (2018) | ||
Members of Chambers | JONES, Jessica (2013) | ||
Members of Chambers | KAMIL, Mariyam (2021) | ||
Members of Chambers | KAUFMANN KC, Phillippa (1991) | ||
Members of Chambers | KEMP, Edward(2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | KENTRIDGE, Janet (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | KIBLING, Thomas (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | KNIGHTS KC, Samantha (1996) | ||
Members of Chambers | LADDIE KC, James (1995) | ||
Members of Chambers | LAW, Helen (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | LEVENTHAL KC, Zoë (2002) | ||
Members of Chambers | MACDONALD KC, Lord Ken (1978)* | ||
Members of Chambers | MANSOORI KC, Sara (1997) | ||
Members of Chambers | MARKS, Prof Jonathan H. * | ||
Members of Chambers | MCCALLUM, Zoe (2016) | ||
Members of Chambers | MILLAR KC, Gavin (1981) | ||
Members of Chambers | MITCHELL, Eleanor (2015) | ||
Members of Chambers | MITROPHANOUS KC, Eleni (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | MONAGHAN KC, Karon (1989) | ||
Members of Chambers | MONTGOMERY KC, Clare (1980) | ||
Members of Chambers | MORRIS, Prof Gillian (1997) | ||
Members of Chambers | MOUNTFIELD KC, Helen (1991) | ||
Members of Chambers | NÍ GHRÁLAIGH KC, Blinne (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | NICHOLLS, Jesse (2010) | ||
Members of Chambers | ODOGWU, Ifeanyi (2011) | ||
Members of Chambers | O'NEILL KC, Aidan (1996) | ||
Members of Chambers | OWEN KC, Tim (1983) | ||
Members of Chambers | PARKER, Raj (1983) | ||
Members of Chambers | PEHAR, Vedrana (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | PRINCE, Laura (2003) | ||
Members of Chambers | PURCHASE KC, Mathew (2002) | ||
Members of Chambers | RANDALL KC, Nicholas (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | ROBERTS, Nathan (2014) | ||
Members of Chambers | ROBOTTOM, James (2009) | ||
Members of Chambers | RYDER KC, Matthew (1992) * | ||
Members of Chambers | SACKMAN, Sarah (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | SHERIDAN, Katy (2020) | ||
Members of Chambers | SILVERSTONE, Ben (2009 | ||
Members of Chambers | SIMOR KC, Jessica (1992) | ||
Members of Chambers | SJOVOLL, Kirsten (2012) | ||
Members of Chambers | SKINNER KC, Lorna (1997) | ||
Members of Chambers | SKINNER, Paul (2010) | ||
Members of Chambers | SOUTHEY KC, Hugh (1996) | ||
Members of Chambers | SQUIRES KC, Dan (1998) | ||
Members of Chambers | STANSFELD, James (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | STERN, Robbie (2017) | ||
Members of Chambers | SUMMERS KC, Mark (1996) | ||
Members of Chambers | SWORDS-KIELEY, Roisin (2019) | ||
Members of Chambers | TAMS, Prof Christian * | ||
Members of Chambers | THOMPSON KC, Rhodri (1989) | ||
Members of Chambers | TOMLINSON KC, Hugh (1983) | ||
Members of Chambers | TRIDIMAS, Prof Takis (2000) | ||
Members of Chambers | VASSALL-ADAMS KC, Guy (2000) | ||
Members of Chambers | WATERMAN KC, Adrian (1988) | ||
Members of Chambers | WHITE KC, Antony (1983) | ||
Members of Chambers | WHITTAM KC, Richard (1983) | ||
Members of Chambers | WILLS, Aidan (2015) | ||
Members of Chambers | WOLFE KC, David (1992) |
Barrister Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mark Afeeva | Specialist in sports, discrimination, employment, media and entertainment law. Cases include: Sport:… | View Profile | |
Dr Nick Armstrong | Barrister specialising in public law, human rights and civil liberties with a… | View Profile | |
Alex Bailin | Alex’s practice centres on financial and business crime, all aspects of criminal… | View Profile | |
Alex Bailin | Alex’s practice centres on financial and business crime, all aspects of criminal… | View Profile | |
Sir Nicholas Blake | Associate member of Matrix. | View Profile | |
Prof Laurence Boisson de Chazournes | Laurence’s practice covers various fields such as international economic law, international dispute… | View Profile | |
Lord Daniel Brennan | Lord Brennan has a high-profile practice across a number of areas –… | View Profile | |
Christopher Brown | Specialist areas of practice include UK and EU competition law, EU law,… | View Profile | |
Joanna Buckley | View Profile | ||
Michelle Butler | Barrister specialising in public and private international law, arbitration, crime, commercial law,… | View Profile | |
Christopher Buttler | Administrative law; local government, planning and environmental law. | View Profile | |
Prof Christine Chinkin | Specialising in international law and international human rights law. | View Profile | |
Prof Andrew Choo | Specialist in criminal law and criminal due process and human rights law. | View Profile | |
Ayesha Christie | Barrister specialising in public law and human rights, with a particular focus… | View Profile | |
Prof Andrew Clapham | International law professor specialising in international law and human rights law (Osman… | View Profile | |
Kate Cook | Barrister specialising in environmental law, public international law, EU and human rights… | View Profile | |
Edward Craven | Specialist in public international law; international human rights law; international environmental law;… | View Profile | |
Claire Darwin KC | Claire has been recognised by the legal directories as a leading barrister… | View Profile | |
Anita Davies | Anita has a broad practice in the areas of crime and regulation,… | View Profile | |
Raj Desai | Raj specialises in public and human rights law. His practice encompasses prison… | View Profile | |
Catrin Evans | – | View Profile | |
Danny Friedman | Expertise in all aspects of criminal law, human rights and public law.… | View Profile | |
Prof Conor Gearty | Barrister specialising in human rights law. Notable cases include: Secretary of State… | View Profile | |
Nicholas Gibson | Nicholas has experience of diverse commercial and public law matters, with particular… | View Profile | |
Tom Gillie | Tom’s practice spans across a variety of areas including equality and human… | View Profile | |
Jonathan Glasson | Jonathan practises in a broad range of work. His practice includes human… | View Profile | |
Luis González García | Luis González García focuses on international trade, investment law and international arbitration. He is… | View Profile | |
Mark Greaves | Mark has a broad practice with a particular focus on Employment and Education… | View Profile | |
Sarah Hannett | Specialist in public law, human rights, discrimination and education. Recent cases include… | View Profile | |
Richard Hermer | Richard Hermer’s practice spans public and private law litigation within both the… | View Profile | |
Nichola Higgins | Nichola Higgins is a leading practitioner in the field of financial and… | View Profile | |
Jamas Hodivala | Jamas represents companies, directors and other professionals in white collar and business crime,… | View Profile | |
Sir Anthony Hooper | Sir Anthony Hooper retired from the Court of Appeal of England and… | View Profile | |
Anthony Hudson | Anthony Hudson QC is highly regarded in media and information law. He… | View Profile | |
Murray Hunt | Murray Hunt is an associate member of Matrix and was one of… | View Profile | |
Raza Husain | Barrister specialising in immigration and human rights; A (internment and legality of… | View Profile | |
Darryl Hutcheon | Darryl is especially interested in employment & discrimination law, public law, and… | View Profile | |
Florence Iveson | Florence Iveson is an experienced and trusted extradition specialist who appears regularly… | View Profile | |
Tamara Jaber | Tamara practises in a broad range of areas including public law and… | View Profile | |
Jessica Jones | Jessica has a broad practice in extradition, crime, public law and human… | View Profile | |
Phillippa Kaufmann | Predominantly public and civil law practice arising in the field of criminal… | View Profile | |
Edward Kemp | Edward has a broad cross-disciplinary practice in employment and equality, private international,… | View Profile | |
Janet Kentridge | Specialist in public and administrative law, local government law, commercial law and… | View Profile | |
Thomas Kibling | For the last ten years Thomas has been ranked in the top… | View Profile | |
Samantha Knights | Barrister specialising in immigration and asylum, civil liberties, administrative and public law… | View Profile | |
James Laddie | Specialist in employment & discrimination law; also enjoys substantial practice in commercial… | View Profile | |
Helen Law | Specialising in crime, public law, human rights and public international law. | View Profile | |
Zoë Leventhal | Zoë practises in all areas of public law and human rights and is listed as a… | View Profile | |
Rachel Logan | Barrister specialising in public law, international law, sports law, human rights and… | View Profile | |
Lord Ken Macdonald | Areas of practice include: corporate and general crime; civil and criminal fraud;… | View Profile | |
Sara Mansoori KC | Barrister with a wide range of experience and practices in all areas… | View Profile | |
Prof Jonathan H Marks | Barrister and a CEDR accredited mediator specialising in EU/environment, banking law and… | View Profile | |
Anirudh Mathur | Anirudh practises in employment and discrimination, public and human rights, private and… | View Profile | |
Zoe McCallum | View Profile | ||
Gavin Millar | Gavin has a broad practice spanning media, information, public, criminal, employment and… | View Profile | |
Eleanor Mitchell | Eleanor has a wide-ranging practice with a particular focus on public law… | View Profile | |
Eleni Mitrophanous | Barrister with particular expertise in EU law, public law, human rights law,… | View Profile | |
Karon Monaghan | Karon practises principally in the fields of equality and discrimination law, human… | View Profile | |
Miss Clare Montgomery | Specialist in criminal, regulatory and fraud law. | View Profile | |
Prof Gillian Morris | Advisory work in employment law (individual and collective) and public employment law;… | View Profile | |
Helen Mountfield | Helen is a versatile silk with a strong leading practice in public… | View Profile | |
Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC | Blinne is a human rights and international law expert with a broad… | View Profile | |
Aidan O"Neill | Aidan O’Neill QC (Scot) QC is dual-qualified and a “double silk”. He… | View Profile | |
Ifeanyi Odogwu | Barrister specialising in inquest and inquiries, administrative/judicial review; human rights; civil claims,… | View Profile | |
Tim Owen | Specialises in criminal fraud and regulatory work (including trial, judicial review/appellate work,… | View Profile | |
Raj Parker | Raj Parker is an associate member of Matrix and prior to joining… | View Profile | |
Vedrana Pehar | Vedrana is recognised as a leading junior in the highly complex arena of… | View Profile | |
Laura Prince KC | Specialises in employment and discrimination law, regularly appearing at appellate level and… | View Profile | |
Mathew Purchase | Mathew’s practice includes all aspects of public law, employment law, discrimination law,… | View Profile | |
Nicholas Randall | Barrister specialising in employment, sport and pensions related work. He has appeared… | View Profile | |
Nathan Roberts | Nathan Roberts practises in employment, discrimination, public and other related practice areas,… | View Profile | |
James Robottom | James has a multi-disciplinary practice which covers public law and human rights, tort law (including… | View Profile | |
Matthew Ryder | Specialist in the interplay between civil and criminal law, with particular emphasis… | View Profile | |
Sarah Sackman | Sarah has a wide-ranging and successful public law practice which spans Matrix’s… | View Profile | |
Maurice Sheridan | Specialises in EU law, environmental law, commercial law, international law and arbitration;… | View Profile | |
Ben Silverstone | Ben has a broad practice in media and information law, with a… | View Profile | |
Jessica Simor | Specialises in public law, EU and human rights. Recent cases: R (on… | View Profile | |
Kirsten Sjøvoll | Kirsten practices predominately in media, public and international law. | View Profile | |
Paul Skinner | Paul’s practice spans the full range of public, human rights and commercial… | View Profile | |
Lorna Skinner | Specialises in media and information law, encompassing data protection, defamation, privacy, breach… | View Profile | |
Andrew Smith | Andrew is a barrister specialising in employment and discrimination law, sports law… | View Profile | |
Hugh Southey | Hugh Southey has led at all levels up to and including the… | View Profile | |
Daniel Squires | Practice encompasses national security, financial sanctions, prison law, police powers, social welfare… | View Profile | |
James Stansfeld | View Profile | ||
Mark Summers | Specialist in extradition, mutual legal assistance, criminal EU law. Recent extradition cases… | View Profile | |
Prof Christian Tams | Christian specialises in international dispute settlement, notably inter-State litigation, investment disputes and… | View Profile | |
Rhodri Thompson | Barrister specialising in EU law, UK and EU competition law, public law;… | View Profile | |
Hugh Tomlinson | Specialises in defamation and privacy, commercial, civil liberties and human rights. Recent… | View Profile | |
Prof Takis Tridimas | Barrister specialising in European Union law, European Convention of Human Rights, judicial… | View Profile | |
Guy Vassall-Adams | Specialist in all aspects of media, broadcasting and information law, both domestic… | View Profile | |
Adrian Waterman | Adrian Waterman QC is an adaptable and skilled advocate who is highly… | View Profile | |
Mr Antony White | Commercial law, Arbitration, Media and Information Law, Data Protection, Employment Law | View Profile | |
Richard Whittam KC | View Profile | ||
Aidan Wills | Aidan joined Matrix in October 2016 upon the completion of his traineeship… | View Profile | |
David Wolfe | Barrister specialising in advising and acting for claimants in relation to human… | View Profile |
Matrix Chambers > Set Profile
The set: Matrix is a barristers’ chambers located in Gray’s Inn, London and Geneva, Switzerland. The set is a group of independent and specialist lawyers who work in a wide range of areas of law. Matrix Chambers works throughout the UK and have extensive experience internationally. Matrix, London was set up in 2000 in response to the changing face of the legal landscape at that time, both to work in England and to have a strong international presence. The set has been labelled ‘the future of the bar’. Matrix is proud of their record of innovation and of its reputation as an accessible, professional and approachable set. It’s actions are guided by its core values, which outline its principles as an organisation and govern how it works. Matrix operates within a modern environment, where diversity, accessibility and client care are widely championed.
Areas of practice: Matrix assists law firms, governments, multinational corporations, international organisations and individuals. The set offers its expertise on a case-by-case basis, working in a team with the other lawyers on clients’ cases. Matrix advises on legal strategy, the issues in cases, or the strength of cases as a whole. In addition to representing clients in a dispute resolution forum, it carries out investigations, inquiries and audits of company policies, particularly in regard to corporate social responsibility. Matrix has worked in over 100 countries and its lawyers work in 28 practice areas including commercial law, public international law and arbitration, investigations and audits, competition and EU law, human rights, public, employment, equality and discrimination, and criminal law, including white-collar crime and fraud. Matrix has lawyers called to appear in a number of countries across the world and in the Dubai International Financial Centre. It regularly appears in appellate level courts in the UK, and in the Court of Justice and the General Court of the European Union, the European Court of Human Rights, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court. Matrix lawyers also frequently act as arbitrators or represent parties in arbitrations. Matrix lawyers have appeared in a number of forums, including ICSID, ITLOS, LCIA, the Singapore and Hong Kong International Arbitration Centres and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as well as having experience of the most common arbitral rules and procedures.
Diversity/Community
In line with Matrix’s core values, it invests time and effort into the realisation of equal opportunities at work and at the Bar. Matrix is a committed advocate of equality in all aspects. It takes a three pronged approach to equality and diversity with support for staff and members, networking/consultancy groups and outreach projects, to ensure that Matrix is identifying and addressing early barriers. Matrix has a dedicated Equality and Diversity Manager (non-barrister) and two Equality and Diversity Officers (barristers) to make sure it is doing its utmost to improve diversity at the Bar. Below are just some of the projects Matrix has been involved in to contribute to the progression of diversity at the Bar.
LGBT+
Matrix’s internal LGBT+ and allies network meets to discuss Matrix’s priorities for LGBT+ inclusion. Matrix is one of the few barristers’ chambers that is a member of Stonewall, the LGBT+ charity, as part of their Diversity Champion Programme. Matrix takes part in the Stonewall yearly index and has been able to greatly improve policies and practices as a result. Matrix hosts LGBT consultation meetings for all staff and members to input into its LGBT+ strategy and both members and staff sit on the legal LGBT+ network committee FreeBar.
FreeBar Charter: Matrix is a founding member of FreeBar, a network for everyone at the Bar who believes in equality for LGBT+ individuals and for all those who work at the Bar – whether you are a member, trainee, member of staff, member of the judiciary, or a person who works with members of the Bar.
Mental Health
Matrix prioritises mental health and wellbeing support and itsinitiatives include wellbeing action plans, wellbeing policies and resilience workshops featuring innovative stress management techniques. CEO Rachel Holmes takes a keen interest in the wellbeing of staff and members and is a member of the Thriving of Work Leadership Council.
Ethnicity
Matrix has a Race Working Group made up of members and staff, which is taking active steps to improve racial diversity and inclusion both within Matrix and at the Bar in general. It also has a Race Equality Network, which is designed to be a dedicated space for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic members, trainees and staff to share their experiences and discuss relevant issues.
Matrix is also working closely with other organisations on improving access to the profession for people from minority ethnic groups and other groups underrepresented at the Bar. Matrix is participating in both the 10,000 Black Interns scheme (which is aiming to create a sustainable cycle of mentorship and sponsorship for the Black community by providing paid training and development opportunities) and the Bridging the Bar initiative (which is aiming to improve equality of access to mini-pupillages). Matrix will be running five Bridging the Bar mini pupillages in autumn 2021.
Work experience and mentoring
Matrix has a year round work experience programme for young people aged 14-18, with half of placements reserved for people from backgrounds underrepresented in law, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, those of the first generation in their family to attend university and candidates with disabilities. From the success of this programme Matrix is now launching a longer term mentoring project.
Matrix’s new Future Lawyers scheme builds on the priority work experience placements, offering those students the opportunity for further interview experience, mentoring and workshops on advocacy and networking. The first two workshops held in July 2021 received excellent feedback from participants.
Promoting gender equality
Matrix is dedicated to the promotion and advancement of women both in the workplace, and specifically at the Bar. Matrix has signed the Women in Law Pledge and regularly host events that tackle issues facing women across different backgrounds and across the world. Matrix also has an internal women’s network for both members and staff to discuss gender issues. Its members have also commented on gender issues facing the Bar and the judiciary in the media.
Neurodiversity
Matrix is keen to support entry into the profession for aspiring barristers with neurodivergent conditions and to foster a more neurodiverse and accepting environment at the Bar.
Matrix is proud to be the first signatory to the Babington Charter and a Champion of the organisation Neurodiversity in Law, whose purpose is to promote and support neurodiversity within the legal professions, and eliminate the stigma often associated with people who think differently.
Matrix Causes Fund
The Matrix Causes Fund, administered by Matrix and contributed to by members and staff, has committed over £1.4 million in small grants to charitable organisations since 2003. The Fund provides support to organisations which promote access to justice, equality of opportunity or a sustainable environment and supports organisations both internationally and in the local community. As well as the funding committed to a range of organisations each quarter, Matrix has committed a three-year grant to the Amos Bursary, to support aspiring Black barristers looking to enter the profession. The funds will be applied to support students while at university and help them to meet their basic costs as students, and participate in experiences and opportunities which will contribute to their performance while at university or preparation for the world of work.
- Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations)
- Education
- Elections
- International crime and extradition
Top Tier Set Rankings
- Administrative law and human rights
- Data protection
- Defamation and privacy
- Employment
- Environment
- European Union law
- Group litigation
- Immigration (including business immigration)
- Inquests and inquiries
- Police law (claimant)
- Public international law
Set Rankings
- Telecoms Regulation
- Financial services regulation
- Health and safety
- International arbitration: counsel
- Local government (including rating law)
- Fraud: civil
- Proceeds of crime (POCA) and asset forfeiture
- Tax: VAT and excise
- Commercial litigation
- Planning
- Professional disciplinary and regulatory law
- Sport
- Middle East: The English Bar > Commercial