Set Profile > Matrix Chambers > London, England
Matrix Chambers Offices
GRIFFIN BUILDING, GRAY'S INN
LONDON
WC1R 5LN
England
Matrix Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings
Professional disciplinary and regulatory law
2020 Silks
Health and safety
2020 Silks
Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations) Tier 1
Viewed as 'a stellar set' with 'a depth of talent' by instructing solicitors, Matrix Chambers' members have been kept busy handling corruption and bribery cases, and are also active in SFO investigations. The set is noted for its particular strength in representing high-net-worth individuals in business crime matters. Recent highlights include the 'very responsive and strategic' Alex Bailin QC acting in the high-profile Credit Suisse "tuna bonds" bribery case worth $2bn. In 2020, Jamas Hodivala QC was elevated to silk.
Leading Silks
2020 Silks
Leading Juniors
Nichola Higgins - Matrix Chambers ‘Nichola is phenomenally hard-working and fully commits to her cases. Her capacity to find the important points in a case is brilliant to witness.’
Civil liberties and human rights (including actions against the police) Tier 1
'On top of its game', Matrix Chambers is an 'influential and high-calibre' civil liberties set with a strong reputation acting in public law, unlawful detention, human trafficking, and international human rights matters. Standout silk Phillippa Kaufmann QC acted in a successful challenge against the Metropolitan Police's use of section 14 Public Order Act against Extinction Rebellion protesters in London, as well as acting for End Violence Against Women in a judicial review of the DPP's reduced prosecution rate for rape. Richard Hermer QC is the key name for leading claimant teams in international human rights cases and, alongside Edward Craven, is representing Maha Elgizouli in her challenge against the Home Secretary's decision to aid the United States in the trial of her sons 'The ISIS Beatles' which may result in the death penalty. Samantha Knights QC is also of note as is dual-qualified Raj Desai who clients describe as being 'exceptionally thorough.'
Leading Silks
Aidan O’Neill QC - Matrix Chambers ‘His breadth and depth of knowledge both in the law in English law, Scottish law and European law as well as international law is simply mind boggling.’
Leading Juniors
Sarah Hannett -Matrix Chambers‘Can utilise the more esoteric pieces of legislation when trying to develop arguments for novel situations.’
Employment Tier 1
Matrix Chambers is 'a great chambers with many top-quality employment and discrimination counsel, and many good juniors coming up the ranks'. Acting for claimants, respondents and intervenors alike, the set's members consistently appear in high-profile and complex cases at all levels, from the Employment Tribunal through to the Supreme Court. In a landmark decision that effected a change in the doctrine of severance (which had stood since 1934), James Laddie QC successfully represented a senior executive in the High Court, in relation to a recruitment firm's application to enforce a restrictive covenant. Elsewhere in chambers, Claire Darwin successfully represented Samira Ahmed in her high-profile, equal pay claims against the BBC. In the set's junior ranks, Nathan Roberts and Mark Greaves are rising stars of the employment arena.
Rising stars
Leading Silks
James Laddie QC - Matrix Chambers ‘A pleasure to work with - fantastic legal knowledge, a great cross-examiner and really client friendly.’
Leading Juniors
Andrew Smith - Matrix Chambers ‘Fiercely intelligent, detail oriented, responsive, and with a great courtroom style.’
International crime and extradition Tier 1
'A well known set for extradition work', Matrix Chambers' 'strength in depth in this area speaks for itself', with 'a number of excellent silks specialising in extradition law and a growing junior bar' following the addition of James Stansfeld and Florence Iveson. In recent work of note, 'eloquent advocate' Mark Summers QC and Iveson are active in the ongoing case concerning the USA's request for the extradition of Julian Assange for alleged complicity with activist Chelsea Manning in the publication of state secrets in the Assange-founded WikiLeaks site. Meanwhile, 'the doyenne of extradition law' Clare Montgomery QC and 'industrious' rising star Jessica Jones are defending diamantaire Nirav Modi against the government of India's request for his extradition to face fraud and money laundering charges.
Rising stars
Jessica Jones - Matrix Chambers ‘She is intelligent, industrious, and tactically very good. She handles cases way above her call with ease. A future star of the extradition Bar.’
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
International arbitration: arbitrators Tier 1
Zachary Douglas QC - Matrix Chambers ‘The cream of the international crop - Zac is always well prepared; he listens carefully; and he considers what he has heard conscientiously, and he starts off with an encyclopaedic knowledge of investment law.’Public international law Tier 1
Matrix Chambers is an 'excellent chambers for State-to-State public international law disputes' and members such as Zachary Douglas QC are also noted for their strong expertise in investment treaty claims. Clients commend the 'very professional and well-run' set and its 'highly engaged and accommodating clerks'. It retains a strong stable of PIL specialists working at the intersection of commercial and public law. Highlights include Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh's advice to the Republic of Macedonia regarding its treaty negotiations with Greece. Philippe Sands QC also led Jessica Jones in The Gambia v Myanmar before the ICJ.
Rising stars
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Tax: corporate and VAT/indirect tax
Tax: VAT - 2020 silks
IT and telecoms
Telecoms (Regulatory) - Leading Silks
Telecoms (Regulatory) - Leading Juniors
Administrative and public law (including elections) Tier 2
Known as 'leaders in the field', at Matrix Chambers 'the calibre of barristers at both the senior and the junior ends is exceptional'. David Wolfe QC represented the Sikh Federation in a challenge to the absence of a Sikh option in the ethnicity field of the 2020 census, a matter involving issues of parliamentary privilege concerning the drafting of an order to be made by the Queen. Nick Armstrong represented the claimant in Mazhar v the Lord Chancellor, in which the Court of Appeal found that the Human Rights Act does not permit a person to seek a declaration from the High Court that the court's own previous order violated convention rights. The set is 'less exclusively claimant focussed' than others, with Sarah Hannett representing unled the Speaker of the House of Commons in a judicial review of plans of the plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, concerning the claimant's attempt to use evidence covered by parliamentary privilege. In election law, Gavin Millar QC successfully defended a challenge to the election of Lisa Forbes in the 2019 Peterborough by-election brought by the losing Brexit Party candidate, who dropped the challenge and was ordered to pay full costs.
Rising stars
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Data protection Tier 2
As 'a great chambers to work with' and 'a highly user-friendly media set', Matrix Chambers is a key name in the market for claims spanning data protection and media law, acting for media organisations, public authorities, companies and private individuals. According to clients, 'there is no one better in this field' than Antony White QC, who is acting for Google with Edward Craven in Lloyd v Google LLC, the first representative action for data protection damages relating to the setting of cookies on iPhone devices; 'leading expert' Hugh Tomlinson QC is acting for the claimants. White and Tomlinson also continue to represent the defendant and claimant respectively in NT1 & NT2 v Google LLC, the first right to be forgotten claim to be tried in the UK. The 'fantastically smart' Catrin Evans QC also represented the National Crime Agency in Cooper v National Crime Agency.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Defamation and privacy Tier 2
'A fantastic all-round set in privacy, defamation and GPDR', Matrix Chambers 'continues to get stronger' each year. The 'well-clerked' set is known to be the home of privacy injunctions, where Hugh Tomlinson QC usually appears for claimants, while Gavin Millar QC and Antony White QC are predominantly instructed by defendants. A recent example of such work is CG v Facebook Ireland Ltd in the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal, where Tomlinson QC and White QC assumed their usual roles. In another highlight, Catrin Evans QC acted for the BBC in seeking the imposition of a privacy reporting restriction related to Samira Ahmed's equal pay case.
Rising stars
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Education Tier 2
Matrix Chambers has a 'stellar range of exceptional and experienced juniors and top-level silks' acting for a range of clients, particularly further education and higher education institutions. Helen Mountfield QC is the key member of the education practice and is representing claimant Ebenezer Azamati against the Oxford Union Society in a highly publicized matter pertaining to racial and disability discrimination as well as assault. Sarah Hannett was instructed by Ofsted in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse, while David Wolfe QC represents the Independent Schools Inspectorate in the same inquiry.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
European Union law Tier 2
Members of Matrix Chambers handle a range of work before the European Courts, with many matters involving questions of individual rights. Aidan O’Neill QC represented the AIRE Centre in Bajratari v Secretary of State for the Home Department, in which the European Court of Justice (ECJ) confirmed that an EU citizen child had sufficient resources not to be an unreasonable burden on Northern Ireland's benefits system if his non-EU father was working, albeit illegally. Among the set's juniors, Takis Tridimas (also a professor of law at King's College London) represented a number of investors and depositors in cases stemming from the "bail-ins" of Cypriot banks. David Wolfe QC is considered a go-to silk for EU matters with an environmental angle.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Inquests and inquiries Tier 2
Inquest and inquiry work is at the very heart of Matrix Chambers, which is 'one of the best in this field and has barristers who are excellent'. Clients particularly benefit from the set's crossover between inquest and inquiry work, and administrative, criminal, mental health, police and prison law. In recent instructions of note, Danny Friedman QC and Raj Desai are currently instructed by five major London law firms (on behalf of over 200 survivors and bereaved families) in the ongoing Grenfell Tower Inquiry, while Hugh Southey QC (who was appointed a Deputy High Court Judge in 2019) was recently lead counsel in a challenge to the inquest into the 2011 killing of Mark Duggan by police.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Proceeds of crime (POCA) and asset forfeiture
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
International arbitration: counsel
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Michelle Butler - Matrix Chambers ‘Tireless, steely, wise, and client-friendly, Michelle is a very careful and measured advocate who provides good written submissions. She was a very thorough opponent, who did a good job of getting across a difficult case.’
Local government (including rating law)
Leading Silks
Media and entertainment (including art and cultural property) Tier 2
Drawing on cross-over expertise in privacy and defamation, data protection and sport, the 'really well run' Matrix Chambers represents high-profile individuals and media organisations in multidisciplinary cases. Praised for its 'excellence on online defamation issues and data protection in the context of media law cases', the set also caters to tech companies. Catrin Evans QC recently represented a transgender father as the applicant in relation to the broadcast of a documentary about him, while Edward Craven, led by Antony White QC, acted for Guardian News and Media (GNM) in a High Court claim against digital advertising infrastructure company Rubicon Project Inc concerning unaccounted ad revenue and advertising space fees.
Media and entertainment - Leading Silks
Media and entertainment - Leading Juniors
Competition Tier 3
'A go-to set for challenger competition work', members of Matrix Chambers handle more bespoke matters away from the large multi-party cartel enforcement cases, with Christopher Brown having advised the British Olympic Association on issues surrounding athletes' own sponsorship around Olympic games. The set is represented in the large investigations as well, with Rhodri Thompson QC representing the UK Trucks Claim entity in the lorry cartel litigation.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Court of Protection and community care Tier 3
Matrix Chambers has particular expertise where community care issues interact with other legal issues such as migration matters, prison law, mental health protection or children in care cases. The community care team frequently acts in cases involving all aspects of domestic community care entitlements. David Wolfe QC acted for the Equality & Human Rights Commission intervening in a major Supreme Court case which looked at Article 5 of the ECHR. The case concerned whether parents could consent to their 16- or 17-year-old children being locked up. Meanwhile, Christopher Buttler was successful in a challenge to the Secretary of State’s policy that victims of human trafficking who claim asylum will not have their application for leave determined until after their asylum cases have been considered.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Crime Tier 3
Matrix Chambers 'is an excellent set', housing a team of 'incredibly bright barristers'. Clare Montgomery QC and protest law specialist Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh are representing all members of the "Stansted 15", a group of activists who were convicted of an aviation security offence for breaking into Stansted airport and chaining themselves to a Boeing 767 to halt a deportation charter flight; the group were granted permission to appeal their convictions in August 2019. Richard Whittam QC has joined from 2 Bedford Row.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Environment Tier 3
Matrix Chambers is 'a class act with a vast array of superb barristers who are all at top of their field', according to one client. Another remarks that 'Matrix has always been proud to do things differently, whilst always maintaining quality and professionalism'. A small but highly skilled nucleus of members are specialists in environmental matters, be they domestic, European or international. Some have conducted environmental litigation in international courts and tribunals, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). In recent work of note, the 'superb' David Wolfe QC acted for Friends of the Earth in its successful Court of Appeal challenge to the construction of a third runway at Heathrow airport on climate change grounds. 'Exceptional advocate' Richard Hermer QC has led on many of the large environmental group action claims in recent years; 'solid practitioner' Edward Craven is also noted for his broad international work. Also at the junior end, Kate Cook's previous experience as a lawyer in the former Department of the Environment 'enables her to provide clear and consistently incisive advice'; Zoë Leventhal is described as 'one of the best of her generation'.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Fraud: crime Tier 3
The 'outstanding' Matrix Chambers is 'a stellar set and provide excellent representation to clients as well as support to solicitors through excellent training'. In recent work of note, Adrian Waterman QC is representing Yoshiki Ohmura in an ongoing case concerning alleged fraud against a Libyan sovereign wealth fund which had invested in a hedge fund owned by banker Frederic Marino. Also in recent news, Jamas Hodivala QC strengthened chambers after being elevated to silk in March 2020.
Leading Silks
Richard Whittam QC - Matrix Chambers ‘He is highly respected in court with excellent judgement. Insightful and a pleasure to work with.’
2020 Silks
Leading Juniors
Immigration (including business immigration) Tier 3
Matrix Chambers has 'a stellar range of exceptional, experienced, juniors and top-level silks', and is particularly known for its members' work in human rights and asylum law, in modern slavery and trafficking claims, and in immigration detention. The team is also increasingly handling sports and business immigration. Raza Husain QC represented ECPAT (Every Child Protected Against Human Trafficking) in MS (Pakistan) v SSHD. Nick Armstrong successfully challenged the Secretary of State's refusal to hold a full public inquiry into Brook House immigration detention centre. Chris Buttler led Ayesha Christie in a judicial review of the SSHD's decision to cut the subsistence payments for victims of trafficking.
Rising stars
Leading Silks
Raza Husain QC - Matrix Chambers ‘Superb lawyer with vast experience in all aspects on UK immigration law, asylum, ECHR, European law, and nationality law.’
Leading Juniors
Sport
Leading Juniors
Andrew Smith-Matrix Chambers‘Very bright, pragmatic and user-friendly. He provides clients with the advice they need and cuts to the chase in a way that some other practitioners do not.’
Fraud: civil
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Planning
Leading Silks
Commercial litigation
Leading Silks
Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud
Personal injury - Leading Silks
Set overviews: England and Wales
Matrix Chambers is a progressive set with areas of particular recognition granted to its expertise in extradition, international criminal law, civil liberties and defamation, as well as public international law, competition, European Union and employment law. The set also has offices in Brussels and Geneva for international work. As far as chambers news is concerned, the set has grown with a number of recruits, including Tom Gillie (from Cloisters), Nichola Higgins (from Doughty Street) and three from 2 Bedford Row: Richard Whittam QC, Kwaku Awuku-Asabre and Vedrana Pehar. Those three follow in the same direction the path taken in 2019 by Jamas Hodivala QC, who is one the set's two 2020 Silks alongside Eleni Mitrophanous QC. In appointments news, associate member Luis González García was appointed by the Mexican government to the ICSID panel of arbitrators, Ken Macdonald QC is also the president of the Howard League for Penal Reform, Helen Mountfield QC is now a judge of the Jersey Court of Appeal and also principal of Mansfield College, Oxford. Senior practice manager Jason Housden is now at Henderson Chambers.Clerks:
Testimonials
Clerks:
All very approachable and accommodating, including out of hours. Paul Venables is a pleasure to deal with
Clerks are always very responsive, and flexible in ensuring Counsel’s availability, often at short notice
Extremely responsive and helpful. Paul Venables is a genuinely charming and friendly clerk with lots of personality.
I am generally impressed with the clerks’ room. Alison Scanes is an excellent Practice Manager – friendly, approachable and amenable. Chris Beard is also helpful and responsive.
I have been assisted a number of times by Mr. Frankie Penton, whom I have always found to be very responsive and eager to help.
Paul Venables is an outstanding clerk. Elizabeth Bousher is exceptional.
The practice management staff are very friendly and attentive. Alison Scanes in particular is hard-working but always personable and able to help out. Chris Beard and George Hack are also highly attentive, straightforward and helpful. The springtime drinks and summer parties are always enjoyable and well put together.
The clerks are more pragmatic and commercial than we find at other sets. they will take into account client issues and are generally willing to work with you particularly as price is becoming more of an issue.
The clerks are very professional and far exceed expectation and the offerings provided by other sets in this field. They are always willing to assist wherever they can and Paul Venables is a key part of the team and chambers’ success.
The clerks at Matrix are always extremely helpful and friendly, and go out of their way to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Simon Gardner deserves a particular mention. He is fantastic and a real pleasure to work with. He is responsive, reliable, organised and personable.
Simon Gardner is beyond doubt one of the best clerks I have ever worked with.
The clerks at Matrix Chambers are always very professional and helpful. Paul Venables in particular has been most accommodating and provides a prompt and reliable service.
The clerks have always been proactive and helpful. Paul Venables is very willing an responsive, and has a very good understanding of international clients.
The Matrix practice team do a great job. Alison Scanes is doing very well leading her team. They are happy to work with solicitors to meet the underlying client’s needs.
I would mark Matt Leitch out in the crime team as a star to work with. He is very bright and supremely efficient. He will go very far indeed!
The clerks offer an exceptional service, willing to assist in arranging conferences, punctual, friendly and prompt provision of fee notes.
The Matrix practice team do a great job. Alison Scanes is doing very well leading her team. They are happy to work with solicitors to meet the underlying client’s needs.
The service of the clerks is first rate. They are attentive, willing to negotiate fairly on fees and will always go above and beyond to find solutions. They encourage introductions, are always hospitable and work well with solicitors. Paul Venables leads an extremely strong and well-connected team and is well supported by Matthew Leitch and Rhian Hiscocks. they assisted us greatly during XR protests.
Paul Venables is my favourite clerk in the city. A genuinely nice person who excels in their role.
Alison Scanes, is always on hand to talk through potential instructions and to suggest the most appropriate barrister for a particular instruction. Alison is also happy to provide flexibility across the board (on a case-by-case basis); more often than not can accommodate clients’ requirements.
The clerking team is superb and the chambers has a modern and inclusive ethos.
Set:
A fantastic all round set in privacy, defamation and GDPR.
An array of competence with a variety of user-styles to suit all cases and clients. Best collection of barristers in London by far.
Chambers are pro-active in contacting us about their activities and services.
Chambers is well known for having the very best barristers in this field. They have strength at the absolute top end and also at the junior end.
Matrix are a fantastic set. Always the go to place with a difficult case which crosses over a number of disciplines.
Matrix are a stellar set and provide excellent representation to clients as well as support to solicitors through excellent training. Their members cover all areas that would be relevant to this area of work.
Matrix are a very reliable set who always give top quality advice. Their QCs provide excellent input – short and to the point.
Matrix chambers are one of the pre-eminent fraud sets in the country with an impressive array of QCs and juniors who regularly act in high-profile and complex cases. Particularly at the top end of members, you always have confidence that they will be able to provide counsel who bring not only criminal expertise, but commercial nous, to a case which is especially relevant when dealing with corporate fraud and bribery matters.
Matrix has a very strong reputation in the field of extradition.
Matrix has always been proud to do things differently, whilst always maintaining quality and professionalism. Of all the sets I work with, Matrix is by far my favourite.
Matrix have a great range of lawyers; I feel in very safe hands with Matrix
Matrix have a stellar range of exceptional, experienced, juniors and top-level silks.
Matrix have a strong privacy and data protection team, and I would happily instruct (and do) a number of their more claimant friendly barristers. I particularly favour Matrix when there are more complex issues, such as an overlap with public law. They offer an excellent series of seminars / roundtable events, which double as useful networking events. The size of the team means there is usually one of our preferred choices available
Matrix is a class act, a vast array of superb barristers who are all at top of their field.
A very good set in the field of immigration, asylum and Human Rights work generally. The roundtable seminars are good.
Influential, high-calibre set. The barristers at Matrix are highly sought after for their expertise and skills. They give any case a high level of attention.
Matrix is a class act, across the board. They attract bright and dedicated lawyers so, at every level you have confidence in those offered to you and those you instruct. Their breadth of experience in criminal law , extradition, media law and civil liberties means they have insight and experience which is invaluable. If counsel of choice is not available, you always know the “substitute” will be excellent as they have strength in depth across the board of all criminal and appellate work. Their training programmes, especially on appeals and extradition are of an extremely high standard.
Matrix is a great chambers to work with. The clerks are friendly and approachable and the counsel are all excellent.
Matrix is now my go-to-firm for “challenger” competition cases. They have proven to be very flexible and commercial. Very soon they will be challenging the big three sets.
Matrix is one of the media law “super sets”.
Matrix’s media law team continues to get stronger. Chris Beard is an exceptional clerk. They organise claimant roundtable seminars, which are very popular and useful. They have also published a book on online publication claims.
Matrix have a strong privacy and data protection team, and I would happily instruct (and do) a number of their more claimant friendly barristers. I particularly favour Matrix when there are more complex issues, such as an overlap with public law. They offer an excellent series of seminars/roundtable events, which double as useful networking events. The size of the team means there is usually one of our preferred choices available.
One of the best employment sets and certainly the best for reliability, value for money, client service and consistent quality.
The Chambers staff have been very professional and helpful throughout.
The Chambers was very professional and well-run, and the clerks were highly engaged and accommodating.
The practice management staff are very friendly and attentive.
The support staff at Matrix Chambers are very helpful and friendly and the calibre of barristers both at the senior and junior level is exceptional.
Very strong set of practitioners at the top of their game covering a wide range of disciplines.
Very well administered, and with a good system for ensuring that an urgent case will be well attended to. Very responsive.
We have used the chambers for a number of matters and have been favourably impressed by the quality and depth of talent.
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.
Matrix’s depth of experience and expertise in a range of practice areas allow it to provide a unique offering at the Bar. Matrix has an established international presence, acting in more than 114 countries for governments, international corporations, legal firms and individuals.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Executive | Rachel Holmes | rachelholmes@matrixlaw.co.uk | |
| Members of Chambers | AFEEVA, Mark (1997) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ARMSTRONG, Nick (2001) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BAILIN QC, Alex (1995) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BLAKE, Sir Nicholas (1974)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | BOISSON DE CHAZOURNES, Prof Laurence* | ||
| Members of Chambers | BRENNAN QC, 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, 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 | COOK, Kate (1990) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CRAVEN, Edward (2007) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DARWIN, Claire (2005) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DAVIES, Anita (2011) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DESAI, Raj (2010) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DOUGLAS QC, Prof Zachary (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | EVANS QC, Catrin (1994) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FOUBISTER, Emma (2016) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FRIEDMAN QC, Danny (1996) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GEARTY, Prof Conor (1995) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GIBSON, Nicholas (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GILLIE, Tom (2013) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GLASSON QC, Jonathan (1996) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GONZÁLEZ GARCÍA, Luis* | ||
| Members of Chambers | GREAVES, Mark (2016) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HANNETT, Sarah (2003) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HELME, Ian (2005) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HERMER QC, Richard (1993) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HODIVALA, Jamas (1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HOOPER, Sir Anthony (1965)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | HUDSON QC, Anthony (1996) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HUNT, Murray* | ||
| Members of Chambers | HUSAIN QC, 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 | KAUFMANN QC, Phillippa (1991) | ||
| Members of Chambers | KENTRIDGE, Janet (1999) | ||
| Members of Chambers | KIBLING, Thomas (1990) | ||
| Members of Chambers | KNIGHTS QC, Samantha (1996) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LADDIE QC, James (1995) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LAW, Helen (2005) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LEVENTHAL, Zoë (2002) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LINDEN QC, Thomas (1989) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LOGAN, Rachel (2008)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | MACDONALD QC, Lord Ken (1978)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | MANSOORI, Sara (1997) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MARKS, Prof Jonathan H. * | ||
| Members of Chambers | MCCALLUM, Zoe (2016) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MILLAR QC, Gavin (1981) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MITCHELL, Eleanor (2015) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MITROPHANOUS, Eleni (1999) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MONAGHAN QC, Karon (1989) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MONTGOMERY QC, Clare (1980) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MORRIS, Prof Gillian (1997) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MOUNTFIELD QC, Helen (1991) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MURPHY, Prof Sean * | ||
| Members of Chambers | NÍ GHRÁLAIGH, Blinne (2005) | ||
| Members of Chambers | O'NEILL QC, Aidan (1996) | ||
| Members of Chambers | OWEN QC, Tim (1983) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PARKER, Raj (1983) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PRINCE, Laura (2003) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PURCHASE, Mathew (2002) | ||
| Members of Chambers | RANDALL QC, Nicholas (1990) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ROBERTS, Nathan (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | RYDER QC, Matthew (1992) * | ||
| Members of Chambers | SANDS QC, Prof Philippe (1985) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SILVERSTONE, Ben (2009 | ||
| Members of Chambers | SIMOR QC, Jessica (1992) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SJOVOLL, Kirsten (2012) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SKINNER, Lorna (1997) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SKINNER, Paul (2010) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SMITH, Andrew (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SOUTHEY QC, Hugh (1996) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SQUIRES QC, Dan (1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | STANSFELD, James (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SUMMERS QC, Mark (1996) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SWORDS-KIELEY, Roisin (2019) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TAMS, Prof Christian * | ||
| Members of Chambers | THOMPSON QC, Rhodri (1989) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TOMLINSON QC, Hugh (1983) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TRIDIMAS, Prof Takis (2000) | ||
| Members of Chambers | VASSALL-ADAMS QC, Guy (2000) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WATERMAN QC, Adrian (1988) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WHITE QC, Antony (1983) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WILLS, Aidan (2015) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WOLFE QC, David (1992) |
Barrister Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Mark Afeeva | Specialist in sports, discrimination, employment, media and entertainment law. Cases include: Sport:… | View Profile |
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Dr Nick Armstrong | Barrister specialising in public law, human rights and civil liberties with a… | View Profile |
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Alex Bailin QC | Barrister specialising in crime and regulatory; fraud (criminal and civil); public and… | View Profile |
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Sir Nicholas Blake | Associate member of Matrix. | View Profile |
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Prof Laurence Boisson de Chazournes | Laurence’s practice covers various fields such as international economic law, international dispute… | View Profile |
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Lord Daniel Brennan QC | Lord Brennan has a high-profile practice across a number of areas –… | View Profile |
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Christopher Brown | Specialist areas of practice include UK and EU competition law, EU law,… | View Profile |
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Joanna Buckley | View Profile | |
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Michelle Butler | Barrister specialising in public and private international law, arbitration, crime, commercial law,… | View Profile |
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Christopher Buttler | Administrative law; local government, planning and environmental law. | View Profile |
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Prof Christine Chinkin | Specialising in international law and international human rights law. | View Profile |
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Prof Andrew Choo | Specialist in criminal law and criminal due process and human rights law. | View Profile |
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Ayesha Christie | Barrister specialising in public law and human rights, with a particular focus… | View Profile |
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Prof Andrew Clapham | International law professor specialising in international law and human rights law (Osman… | View Profile |
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Kate Cook | Barrister specialising in environmental law, public international law, EU and human rights… | View Profile |
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Edward Craven | Specialist in public international law; international human rights law; international environmental law;… | View Profile |
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Claire Darwin | Claire is ranked in the independent legal directories Chambers UK Bar, the Legal… | View Profile |
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Anita Davies | Anita has a broad practice in the areas of crime and regulation,… | View Profile |
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Raj Desai | Raj specialises in public and human rights law. His practice encompasses prison… | View Profile |
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Zachary Douglas QC | Barrister specialising in public international law, conflict of laws and arbitration. Counsel… | View Profile |
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Catrin Evans QC | – | View Profile |
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Danny Friedman QC | Expertise in all aspects of criminal law, human rights and public law.… | View Profile |
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Prof Conor Gearty | Barrister specialising in human rights law. Notable cases include: Secretary of State… | View Profile |
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Blinne NÍ Ghrálaigh | Blinne is a human rights and international law expert with a broad… | View Profile |
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Nicholas Gibson | Nicholas has experience of diverse commercial and public law matters, with particular… | View Profile |
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Jonathan Glasson QC | Jonathan practises in a broad range of work. His practice includes human… | View Profile |
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Luis González García | Luis González García focuses on international trade, investment law and international arbitration. He is… | View Profile |
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Mark Greaves | Mark has a broad practice with a particular focus on Employment and Education… | View Profile |
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Sarah Hannett | Specialist in public law, human rights, discrimination and education. Recent cases include… | View Profile |
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Richard Hermer QC | Richard Hermer’s practice spans public and private law litigation within both the… | View Profile |
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Ms Nichola Higgins | Nichola Higgins is a leading practitioner in the field of financial and… | View Profile |
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Jamas Hodivala | Jamas represents companies, directors and other professionals in white collar and business crime,… | View Profile |
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Sir Anthony Hooper | Sir Anthony Hooper retired from the Court of Appeal of England and… | View Profile |
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Anthony Hudson QC | Anthony Hudson QC is highly regarded in media and information law. He… | View Profile |
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Murray Hunt | Murray Hunt is an associate member of Matrix and was one of… | View Profile |
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Raza Husain QC | Barrister specialising in immigration and human rights; A (internment and legality of… | View Profile |
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Darryl Hutcheon | Darryl is especially interested in employment & discrimination law, public law, and… | View Profile |
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Florence Iveson | Florence Iveson is an experienced and trusted extradition specialist who appears regularly… | View Profile |
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Tamara Jaber | Tamara practises in a broad range of areas including public law and… | View Profile |
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Jessica Jones | Jessica has a broad practice in extradition, crime, public law and human… | View Profile |
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Phillippa Kaufmann QC | Predominantly public and civil law practice arising in the field of criminal… | View Profile |
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Janet Kentridge | Specialist in public and administrative law, local government law, commercial law and… | View Profile |
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Thomas Kibling | For the last ten years Thomas has been ranked in the top… | View Profile |
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Samantha Knights | Barrister specialising in immigration and asylum, civil liberties, administrative and public law… | View Profile |
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James Laddie QC | Specialist in employment & discrimination law; also enjoys substantial practice in commercial… | View Profile |
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Helen Law | Specialising in crime, public law, human rights and public international law. | View Profile |
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Zoë Leventhal | Zoë practises in all areas of public law and human rights and is listed as a… | View Profile |
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Rachel Logan | Barrister specialising in public law, international law, sports law, human rights and… | View Profile |
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Lord Ken Macdonald QC | Areas of practice include: corporate and general crime; civil and criminal fraud;… | View Profile |
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Sara Mansoori | Barrister with a wide range of experience and practices in all areas… | View Profile |
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Prof Jonathan H Marks | Barrister and a CEDR accredited mediator specialising in EU/environment, banking law and… | View Profile |
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Zoe McCallum | View Profile | |
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Gavin Millar QC | Gavin has a broad practice spanning media, information, public, criminal, employment and… | View Profile |
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Eleanor Mitchell | Eleanor has a wide-ranging practice with a particular focus on public law… | View Profile |
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Eleni Mitrophanous | Barrister with particular expertise in EU law, public law, human rights law,… | View Profile |
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Karon Monaghan QC | Karon practises principally in the fields of equality and discrimination law, human… | View Profile |
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Miss Clare Montgomery QC | Specialist in criminal, regulatory and fraud law. | View Profile |
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Prof Gillian Morris | Advisory work in employment law (individual and collective) and public employment law;… | View Profile |
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Helen Mountfield QC | Helen is a versatile silk with a strong leading practice in public… | View Profile |
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Prof Sean Murphy | Professor Murphy advises and litigates on a wide range of international law… | View Profile |
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Aidan O’Neill QC | Aidan O’Neill QC (Scot) QC is dual-qualified and a “double silk”. He… | View Profile |
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Tim Owen QC | Specialises in criminal fraud and regulatory work (including trial, judicial review/appellate work,… | View Profile |
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Raj Parker | Raj Parker is an associate member of Matrix and prior to joining… | View Profile |
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Laura Prince | Specialises in employment and discrimination law, regularly appearing at appellate level and… | View Profile |
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Mathew Purchase | Mathew’s practice includes all aspects of public law, employment law, discrimination law,… | View Profile |
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Nicholas Randall QC | Barrister specialising in employment, sport and pensions related work. He has appeared… | View Profile |
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Nathan Roberts | View Profile | |
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Matthew Ryder QC | Specialist in the interplay between civil and criminal law, with particular emphasis… | View Profile |
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Philippe Sands QC | Barrister specialising in advisory work to governments, international organisations, corporations and individuals… | View Profile |
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Maurice Sheridan | Specialises in EU law, environmental law, commercial law, international law and arbitration;… | View Profile |
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Ben Silverstone | Ben has a broad practice in media and information law, with a… | View Profile |
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Jessica Simor QC | Specialises in public law, EU and human rights. Recent cases: R (on… | View Profile |
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Kirsten Sjøvoll | Kirsten practices predominately in media, public and international law. | View Profile |
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Paul Skinner | Paul’s practice spans the full range of public, human rights and commercial… | View Profile |
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Lorna Skinner | Specialises in media and information law, encompassing data protection, defamation, privacy, breach… | View Profile |
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Andrew Smith | Andrew is a barrister specialising in employment and discrimination law, sports law… | View Profile |
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Hugh Southey QC | Hugh Southey has led at all levels up to and including the… | View Profile |
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Daniel Squires QC | Practice encompasses national security, financial sanctions, prison law, police powers, social welfare… | View Profile |
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James Stansfeld | View Profile | |
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Mark Summers QC | Specialist in extradition, mutual legal assistance, criminal EU law. Recent extradition cases… | View Profile |
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Prof Christian Tams | Christian specialises in international dispute settlement, notably inter-State litigation, investment disputes and… | View Profile |
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Rhodri Thompson QC | Barrister specialising in EU law, UK and EU competition law, public law;… | View Profile |
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Hugh Tomlinson QC | Specialises in defamation and privacy, commercial, civil liberties and human rights. Recent… | View Profile |
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Prof Takis Tridimas | Barrister specialising in European Union law, European Convention of Human Rights, judicial… | View Profile |
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Guy Vassall-Adams QC | Specialist in all aspects of media, broadcasting and information law, both domestic… | View Profile |
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Adrian Waterman | Adrian Waterman QC is an adaptable and skilled advocate who is highly… | View Profile |
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Mr Antony White QC | Commercial law, Arbitration, Media and Information Law, Data Protection, Employment Law | View Profile |
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Mr Richard Whittam QC | View Profile | |
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Aidan Wills | Aidan joined Matrix in October 2016 upon the completion of his traineeship… | View Profile |
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David Wolfe QC | Barrister specialising in advising and acting for claimants in relation to human… | View Profile |
Diversity/Community
In line with Matrix’s core values, it invests 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 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.
- Partnership with Mind: Matrix is proud to be one of the first legal organisations to sign up to the Mind Workplace Wellbeing Index to benchmark what it does to promote mental health support and wellbeing. In March 2019, Matrix was awarded Silver in the Index. Initiatives 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.
- 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 BAME 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.
- Promoting gender equality
Matrix is dedicated to the promotion and advancement of women both in the workplace, and specifically at the Bar. Matrix regularly host events that tackle issues facing women across different backgrounds and across the world. Matrix 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.
XTop Tier Set Rankings
- London Bar Professional disciplinary and regulatory law
- London Bar Health and safety
- London Bar Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations)
- London Bar Civil liberties and human rights (including actions against the police)
- London Bar Employment
- London Bar International crime and extradition
- London Bar International arbitration: arbitrators
- London Bar Public international law
- London Bar Tax: corporate and VAT/indirect tax
- London Bar IT and telecoms
Set Rankings
- London Bar Administrative and public law (including elections)
- London Bar Data protection
- London Bar Defamation and privacy
- London Bar Education
- London Bar European Union law
- London Bar Inquests and inquiries
- London Bar Proceeds of crime (POCA) and asset forfeiture
- London Bar International arbitration: counsel
- London Bar Local government (including rating law)
- London Bar Media and entertainment (including art and cultural property)
- London Bar Competition
- London Bar Court of Protection and community care
- London Bar Crime
- London Bar Environment
- London Bar Fraud: crime
- London Bar Immigration (including business immigration)
- London Bar Sport
- London Bar Fraud: civil
- London Bar Planning
- London Bar Commercial litigation
- London Bar Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud
- London Bar Set overviews: England and Wales
- Regional Bar Set overviews: England and Wales