Matrix Chambers

Specialist in sports, discrimination, employment, media and entertainment law. Cases include: Sport: Re: A Championship Football Club [2012] – Advised a club in respect of its disputes with a football agency and the Football League; Re: Sol Campbell [2010] – Represented the player in Football League arbitration proceedings against Notts County FC and his breach of contract claim against Portsmouth FC; Re: Frank Nouble [2009] – advised centre-forward on his transfer from Chelsea FC to West Ham FC; Sky Andrew v Jermain Defoe [2009] – FA arbitration & High Court proceeding brought by agent against England international player; Re: Sam Sodje – first ever instruction of a barrister by a Premiership footballer to negotiate his transfer to Reading FC; BTA v Tim Don – appeared for the World Triathlon Champion in British Triathlon Association doping offence disciplinary proceedings; regularly instructed by the PFA to appear before Premier League and FA Tribunals; adviser to professional footballers and sports management companies re: contractual negotiations. Discrimination: Abegaze v Shrewsbury College of Arts & Technology [2008] UKEAT/0176/07/ZT – appeal on whether Claimant who succeeded on liability could have claim struck out before remedy hearing, due to six-year interim period; Hill v Clacton Family Trust [2006] EWCA Civ 1456 – CA appeal on interaction between disability living allowance and DDA disability definition; Ben-Hassine v Birmingham University – the first religious discrimination claims brought by students against university; Anyanwu v South Bank University (ten week tribunal hearing) ‘The Times’ 05/12/03; Ali Dizaei v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis; Kamlesh Bahl v The Law Society.

Nick Armstrong KC

Barrister specialising in public law, human rights and civil liberties with a particular focus on immigration, prisoners’ rights, social welfare and equality. Recent cases of note include T v The Chief Constable of Great Manchester Police & Ors [2013] EWCA Civ 25 (criminal records disclosure scheme found not to be Article 8 compliant), KA v Essex County Council [2013] EWHC 43 (Admin) (extending the protect ions owed to migrant famllies requiring accommodation); R (RB) v Devon County Council (2012] EWHC 3597 (Admin) (whether decision to contract out children’s services lawful); FV (Italy) [2012] EWCA Civ 1199 (leading case on deportation of EU citizens); James, Lee and Wells (Strasbourg decision finding detention of IPP prisoners to have been in breach of Article 5(1) ECHR); AM (Angola) [2012] EWCA Civ 521 (meaning of independent evidence of torture for immigration detention purposes).

Alex’s practice centres on financial and business crime, all aspects of criminal law, and extradition. His work also involves public law, human rights, media law and public international law. Instructed in a wide variety of business crime cases: corporate manslaughter, corruption, cartels, frauds of all kinds, insider dealing. He represents a wide range of clients: senior business executives, regulators, prosecuting authorities, multinational corporations, banks, hedge funds, private equity groups, fintechs, government departments, family offices. Sought after for his advice during the investigatory stages and for heavyweight trial or appellate work. A wealth of financial services experience; acted in a number of complex regulatory investigations by the FCA and PRA before the RDC, EDMC and Upper Tribunal. Acted in a number of high profile extradition cases, particularly from the US. Commercial work often has a criminal aspect to it e.g. Commercial Court litigation with parallel criminal proceedings. General criminal work ranges from murder and gross negligence manslaughter to interception of communications and official secrets. See further https://www.matrixlaw.co.uk/member/alex-bailin/

Associate member of Matrix.

Kate is described in the legal directories as “an extraordinary lawyer who analytically is absolutely first rate”, “a first class rising star”, and “very hardworking”, with “a very nice court presence” and “a maturity beyond her year of call”. Most of her work is in the field of private international law, primarily acting in claims arising out of human rights abuses or environmental harm. She also acts in domestic cases, typically in claims concerning serious injury, disease, or product liability. Many of her cases are group actions, and she enjoys working on large-scale litigation as part of a team.

Laurence Boisson de Chazournes

Laurence's practice covers various fields such as international economic law, international dispute settlement, international environmental law and the law of international organisations.

Daniel Brennan KC

Lord Brennan has a high-profile practice across a number of areas – environment, product liability and multi-party actions; international litigation including public and private international law, arbitration and commercial disputes. His recent advisory work includes banking and alternative business solutions for law firms. His benchmark case in 2009 was the ‘Omagh Bombing case’ reported as Breslin v McKenna [2009] NIQB 50. This was the civil claim brought in the Northern Ireland High Court by the relatives of deceased victims, and victims of the Omagh Bombing of 15 August 1998 – the worst terrorist outrage of the Northern Ireland troubles. It was a unique case – the first civil action by ordinary citizens against a terrorist organisation and some of its leading members responsible for a major atrocity. The case was tried by Morgan J (now the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland) in the High Court in Belfast. It began in April 2008 with judgment in June 2009 and success for the plaintiffs who were awarded a total of £1.6m in damages. He was chairman of the Bar in 1999 and Barrister of the Year in 2000. Since 2001, he has been the assessor on miscarriages of justice for the Ministry of Justice (previously the Home Office) and the Ministry of Defence. He has acted in many well-known cases in the past – the Herald of Free Enterprise; the Marchioness; HIV/Haemophilia claims against the UK government; the Canary Wharf nuisance claims in the House of Lords; medical duty of care in the Bolitho appeal to the Lords; the insurance claims arising out of the Paddington rail crash and many more multi-party actions and negligence claims.

Christopher Brown

Specialist areas of practice include UK and EU competition law, subsidy control, economic regulation, public procurement law and sports law. Recent competition damages claims include the collective actions in Roberts v Severn Trent Water and others, USD LIBOR and Interchange. Regulatory cases include R (Wales and West Utilities) v CMA (judicial review of energy price control appeals determination) and Singapore Airlines v Commission (appeal against air freight cartel decision).

Joanna Buckley

Michelle Butler

Barrister specialising in public and private international law, arbitration, crime, commercial law, civil liberties and human rights.

Christopher Buttler KC

Administrative law; local government, planning and environmental law.

Christine Chinkin

Specialising in international law and international human rights law.

Specialist in criminal law and criminal due process and human rights law.

Ayesha Christie

Barrister specialising in public law and human rights, with a particular focus on immigration, asylum and free movement, EU law, community care, discrimination and equality, inquests, prison and police law, media and information law.

International law professor specialising in international law and human rights law (Osman v UK, Georgia v Russia – European Court of Human Rights) and international humanitarian law.

Rosalind joined Matrix in 2022 following the successful completion of her traineeship. She is developing a practice in public law and human rights, equality law, criminal law and extradition, inquests and inquiries, and media and information law.

Barrister specialising in environmental law, public international law, EU and human rights law. Notable recent international cases include: ICJ Australia v Japan (Antarctic whaling); ICJ Argentina v Uruguay (Pulp Mills); ICJ Croatia v Serbia (genocide). Other recent work includes: advising on the reformed EU Common Fisheries policy and its external dimension; advising on proposals to further regulate trade in illegally logged timber; advising on issues arising from the ongoing UNFCCC climate change negotiations. In 2014, appointed to the Attorney General’s PIL Panel (B). In 2015, appointed as chair of the Legal Response Initiative supporting LDC negotiators at the UNFCCC.

Edward Craven KC

Specialist in public international law; international human rights law; international environmental law; public law; commercial law; sport law; privacy, defamation and data protection; and money laundering and proceeds of crime. Notable cases include Somalia v Kenya (representing Somalia in a maritime delimitation dispute before the International Court of Justice), Croatia v Serbia (representing Croatia in proceedings under the Genocide Convention before the ICJ); Guyana v Venezuela (representing Guyana in proceedings before the ICJ concerning the validity of an 1899 arbitral ward); Lungowe v Vedanta Resources PLC (Supreme Court appeal concerning liability of UK parent company for polluting activities of foreign subsidiary); Elgizouli v Home Secretary (Supreme Court appeal regarding UK’s facilitation of the death penalty); Smith v Ministry of Defence (Supreme Court appeal concerning extra-territorial application of international human rights treaty); Belhaj v Straw (Supreme Court appeal concerning state immunity and foreign act of state doctrines); Rahmatullah and Serdar Mohammed v Secretary of State for Defence (Supreme Court appeal concerning crown act of state doctrine); SXH v Crown Prosecution Service (Supreme Court appeal concerning application of Article 8 ECHR to prosecution of vulnerable refugees); OPO v MLA (Supreme Court appeal concerning worldwide ban on publication of a performing artist’s autobiography); Lachaux v Lachaux (Supreme Court appeal regarding meaning of ‘serious harm’ in Defamation Act 2013); Bashir v Home Secretary (Supreme Court appeal regarding application of international treaty to UK sovereign base areas in Cyprus); Lloyd v Google (Supreme Court appeal concerning attempt to establish representative action on behalf of several million iPhone users); Gubarev v Christopher Steele (libel claim concerning publication of confidential intelligence memorandum); Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell (Supreme Court appeal concerning claims against UK and Nigerian mining companies concerning extensive oil spills in Niger Delta).

Lucinda Cunningham

Lucinda’s practice focuses on competition law and regulation, public law and human rights, EU law and environmental law.

Claire Darwin KC

Claire has been recognised by the legal directories as a leading barrister for employment, education, and public law for many years. According to the directories ‘on complex disability discrimination cases there is no one better', and Claire is said to be ‘well known for her strength in discrimination cases’.

Anita has a broad practice in the areas of crime and regulation, competition, inquests and inquiries, public law and immigration. She has experience appearing in a range of courts and tribunals both alone and led.

Raj specialises in public and human rights law. His practice encompasses prison law, civil actions against the police, inquests and inquiries work, equality law, asylum and immigration, information law and education law. He also has experience of international law work.

Catrin Evans KC

Toby is a specialist in environment and human rights law, practising across domestic public law, private international law, and public international law. Between 2018 and 2022 he took time out of practice as Deputy Director, International Law, for the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade In public international law, Toby is currently acting in two sets of ICJ proceedings: Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation); and Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change. He provides public international law advice across a range of matters including to Pew Trusts in its engagement on the emerging regulatory framework for deep sea mining. In his public law practice, Toby acted for the successful claimant in Friends of the Earth in Friends of the Earth v SSLUHC [2024] EWHC 2349 (Admin) which resulted in the quashing of planning permission for a new deep coal mine in the UK. He is acting for Chris Packham in his challenge to the (then) Prime Minister’s abandonment of key policies in the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan. And he is acting in a number of ongoing challenges to immigration detention, including an Article 3 systems challenge. He is a member of the Attorney-General’s B Panel of counsel. In private international law, Toby recently acted for the claimants in (now settled) proceedings in the High Court against Barrick TZ Ltd arising out of deaths and injuries caused by Tanzanian police in and around the North Mara gold mine. He is acting in a number of other ongoing cases relating to human rights and environmental harm at mines and agribusiness interests in Africa.

Emma specialises in public law and human rights, environmental law, health and social care, media and information law, and employment law.

Danny Friedman KC

Expertise in all aspects of criminal law, human rights and public law. He has particular experience in public inquiries, inquests and regulatory investigations focussed on human rights and rule of law compliance.

Barrister specialising in human rights law. Notable cases include: Secretary of State for Defence v Rusling (2003) – case concerning the granting of a war pension for the infliction of Gulf War Syndrome whilst on active duty; in re S (minors) (2002) – case concerning the implementation of care plans, the House of Lords considered the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on the Children Act 1989; and Murphy v Salford Primary Care Trust (2008) – concerning the availability of anti-cancer drugs on the NHS; DM v Doncaster MBC (2011) – case concerning the requirement to provide care home accommodation.

Nicholas Gibson

Nicholas has experience of diverse commercial and public law matters, with particular interests in commercial disputes and civil fraud matters (including injunctions), competition law, sectoral regulation (including telecoms, transport, and energy), tax, State aid, public procurement and general EU law, consumer credit and other consumer protection legislation, and human rights.

Tom’s practice spans across a variety of areas including equality and human rights, employment, public and constitutional, education and commercial law. He is one of only a handful of barristers in the UK to specialise in political and electoral law as seen in his recent defence of the Labour Party in the High Court in claims concerning the Rt. Hon. Sir Keir Starmer MP and other Members of Parliament. He has extensive experience acting for both Claimants and Defendants and has received instruction from high profile organisations in cases of public importance. Tom has acted as sole counsel in both the senior courts and tribunals. He is a member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s panel of junior counsel and is ranked in Chambers and Partners.

Jonathan Glasson KC

Jonathan practises in a broad range of work. His practice includes human rights, public law, national security, asylum, extradition, inquests and inquiries, product liability and clinical negligence. Before being appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2013 he had been a member of the Treasury A Panel. Jonathan is Develop Vetted and has acted in a large number of national security cases. He is regularly instructed as Counsel to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal and is instructed in the current challenges to MI5’s handling of data, the intelligence agencies’ collection of Bulk Personal Datasets and Bulk Communications Data and the challenge to the Third Direction (concerning the participation of agents in criminality). He was also instructed in the claims brought by Belhaj and Amnesty International concerning the interception of materials protected by Legal Professional Privilege and the case brought by Privacy International concerning computer hacking. Jonathan has also acted as a special advocate before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) and the Parole Board. Acted for Ministry of Defence in Guardian and Times v Soldiers A-F (CoA) on anonymity of soldiers from Special Forces. Recent public law cases include the challenge to the decision to deprive Shamima Begum of her UK citizenship, the challenge to the export of arms to Saudi Arabia for use in the Yemen conflict as well as the claims brought by 3 alleged Afghan spies against the UK Government. He was instructed by the Home Secretary in the extradition challenge by Vijay Mallya. He acted in Strasbourg proceedings for Khodorkovsky, the former CEO of Yukos, against Russia, and has been instructed in a significant number of cases from Russia and the former CIS. He has a wide-ranging practice in inquiries and inquests. He was instructed in the Azelle Rodney public inquiry and the Duggan inquests, as well as the deaths arising from the hostage taking at the In Amenas oil fields in Algeria. He advised the Attorney General in relation to the application to reopen the inquests into the death of Dr David Kelly as well as of those who died in the Hillsborough Stadium disaster. He is instructed by the N Ireland Secretary in the forthcoming Kieran Doherty Inquest in Northern Ireland. Jonathan has acted for coroners in a number of cases, including most recently the case of R. (on the application of Adath Yisroel Burial Society) v HM Senior Coroner for Inner North London. Jonathan was generic counsel for claimants in the Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease/human growth hormone litigation and for the families at the BSE Inquiry. Briefed In a number of multi-party product liability actions, including ASR DePuy hip replacement and the use of Lariam by the MOD. Advised on Northwick Park clinical trials. Instructed by the government in the PTSD Litigation brought by soldiers from Falklands, Northern Ireland, the Gulf and Bosnia. Undertaken trial observation as well as human rights training for the International Bar Association.

Luis González García

Luis González García focuses on international trade, investment law and international arbitration. He is a visiting professor of international trade and investment law in the EU at Queen Mary University of London.

Mark has a broad practice with a particular focus on Employment and Education law. He is a member of the Attorney General’s C Panel of Counsel, the EHRC’s Panel of Counsel and is one of the three editors of the Education Law Reports. Mark’s recent reported cases include: Ince Gordon Dadds LLP v Tunstall [2020] ICR 124 (successfully resisted an appeal concerning litigation against insolvent companies); RMT v Lloyd [2019] IRLR 897 (successfully resisted an appeal in an age discrimination case); and Antuzis v DJ Houghton Catching Services Ltd [2019] EWHC 843 (QB) (a leading High Court authority on the personal liability of company directors).

Sarah Hannett KC

Specialist in public law, human rights, discrimination and education. Recent cases include R v. Mackinlay [2018] UKSC 42 (notional election expenses), R (Steinfeld and Keidan) v. SSID [2018] UKSC 32 (opposite sex civil partnerships), Reilly v. Sandwell MBC [2018] UKSC 16 (whether dismissal of headteacher unfair), R (DSD) v. Parole Board [2018] EWHC 694 (Admin) (lawfulness of release of John Warboys), R (Elan-Cane) v. SSHD [2018] EWHC 1530 (Admin) (issue of passports with ungendered sex marker), Re M (Children) [2017] EWCA Civ 2164 (contact arrangements between trans father and children), and R (Al-Hijrah) v. Ofsted [2017] EWCA Civ 1426 (whether segregation of pupils constituted sex discrimination).

Ian Helme is a leading senior junior specialising in all aspects of information, data and media law. He is widely recognised for his regular involvement in cutting-edge and high-profile litigation and has been at the forefront of many recent developments in the law of data protection, misuse of private information and defamation, in particular. Notable recent reported cases in which he has acted include: Vardy v Rooney; Lloyd v Google LLC; Abramovich v HarperCollins; Duke of Sussex v Splash News; Wright v Ver and Economou v De Freitas.

Richard Hermer KC

Richard Hermer’s practice spans public and private law litigation within both the domestic and international spheres.

Nichola Higgins

Nichola Higgins is a leading practitioner in the field of financial and corporate crime, she has defended, investigated and prosecuted some of the most complex and challenging allegations of corruption and fraud, both domestic and overseas, in recent years.

Jamas Hodivala KC

Jamas represents companies, directors and other professionals in white collar and business crime, professional discipline and judicial review proceedings. He has experience acting with, or leading a team in cases which often involve an international element including serious fraud, bribery and corruption, money laundering, restraint, confiscation and civil recovery proceedings. Jamas is regularly instructed to advise and assist corporate clients from the early stages of an investigation, and has the specialist skills to represent such clients throughout all stages of the investigation or prosecution. Jamas offers specialist advice and advocacy in areas of criminal law that often overlap with public law, such as challenges to the use of investigatory powers by regulators and prosecutors, where early advice can be vital to the future shape of an investigation. He brings a range of specialist knowledge in different areas to help clients achieve the best possible result and is sensitive to the complex non-legal issues that often arise as a result of representing corporate clients. For further information visit www.matrixlaw.co.uk.

Sir Anthony Hooper retired from the Court of Appeal of England and Wales in September 2012. He is the inaugural Judicial Fellow of the Judicial Institute of University College, London, where he is also an honorary Professor.

Anthony Hudson KC

Anthony Hudson QC is highly regarded in media and information law. He has been involved in some of the most significant recent cases on privacy, defamation and open justice.

Murray Hunt is an associate member of Matrix and was one of the founder members in 2000. He is also the Director of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law.

Barrister specialising in immigration and human rights; A (internment and legality of derogation from Article 5) HL; Ullah (extra territoriality) HL; Razgar (private life and mental health; proportionality review in appellate context) HL; Adan (civil war and refugee status); HL; AE (internal flight) HL pending; Bagdanavicius (risks from non-state actors) HL pending; Limbuela (destitution of asylum seekers) HL pending; A (admissibility of evidence from torture) HL pending; Davoodipanah (withdrawal of concessions) CA; E and R (error of fact as discrete public law wrong) CA; El-Ali (article 1D Refugee Convention) CA; Z (private life and sexuality); Osorio (obligation to determine refugee status) CA; Gardi (unit of analysis in refugee definition) CA; Robinson (internal flight) CA. Civil liberties; Nadarajah (detention) CA; G (Anisminic approach to superior court of record’s exercise of bail jurisdiction) CA; M (first successful internee appeal) CA; D (false imprisonment) CA; Q (destitution of asylum seekers) CA; Farrakhan (free speech) Court of Appeal; Chahal (No.2) (compensation for detention) CA; Waite ECHR (article 5(4)); Percy (justiciability of legality of Iraq war) Queen’s Bench Division: EU and free movement; Radiom and Shingara (64/221 articles 8 and 9) ECJ; Manjit Kaur (effective nationality) ECJ.

Darryl Hutcheon

Darryl is especially interested in employment & discrimination law, public law, and cases involving private international law issues.

Florence Iveson

Florence Iveson is an experienced and trusted extradition specialist who appears regularly in high profile and complex matters, and is currently acting for Julian Assange. Florence has particular expertise in part 2 cases, including those involving India, Brazil, the USA, Macedonia, Moldova and Albania. More broadly, Florence is adept at identifying new points of law, using both technical and human rights arguments, and has been involved in many of the ‘lead’ extradition appeals in recent years. Florence also has substantial experience in cases involving Article 3 and prison conditions, across many jurisdictions.

Tamara practises in a broad range of areas including public law and human rights, asylum and immigration, and international law.

Tim James-Matthews

Tim practices primarily in criminal law and extradition, sanctions, proceeds of crime and asset forfeiture, public law and human rights, and media and information law (including data protection).

Jessica has a broad practice in extradition, crime, public law and human rights. She has experience appearing in a wide range of courts and tribunals both alone and led.

Phillippa Kaufmann KC

Predominantly public and civil law practice arising in the field of criminal justice. Other areas of her practice include international human rights law, private international law, media law, community care law, criminal appeals and appeal to the Privy Council in death row cases. Main areas of practice: human rights; police law; prison law; inquest law; private international law. Recent important cases: R (King) v SSJ [2010] U.K.H.R.R. 1245 (applicability of Article 6 to prison disciplinary proceedings involving punishment of cellular confinement. Permission to appeal granted; R (Iqbal) v Prison Officers Association [2010] QB 732 (false imprisonment claim against POA by prisoners who were confined to their cells during strike by prison officers); R (OOO and others) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (first claim in the domestic courts concerning the duty on the state under Article 4 EHCR to conduct an effective investigation into allegations of treatment by private persons contrary to article 4. In this case the claimants had all been held in domestic servitude as children. Judgment reserved; Mutua and others v Foreign and Commonwealth Office (claim brought by a number of Kenyans against the FCO in relation to allegations of torture arising in the course of their detention by the Kenyan Colonial Administration during the Emergency between 1954 and 1959. Ongoing.

Edward has a broad cross-disciplinary practice in employment and equality, private international, human rights and commercial law. Edward is ranked as a leading junior in the following directories: (1) Legal 500 UK – tier 1 for employment; (2) Legal 500 EMEA – tier 1 for commercial disputes in the Middle East; (3) Chambers UK – for employment; (4) Chambers Global – expertise based abroad for DIFC and ADGM litigation in the United Arab Emirates. He was nominated for Employment Junior of the Year in the Legal 500 Awards 2020. Edward is particularly sought after for challenging cases raising novel points of law and sensitive factual disputes requiring creative thinking and flexible advocacy skills. He is singled out for his exceptional legal ability having been consistently described as “extremely bright…always does a first class job” (Legal 500 2021), “extremely intelligent” (Legal 500 2018), “exceptionally talented” (Chambers and Partners 2013) and “one to watch” (Chambers and Partners 2016). Edward brings to bear a depth of experience across a number of other legal fields including personal injury, professional negligence and contract law. Ed has also been noted for his “cross-disciplinary expertise” and his “international” practice (Chambers & Partners 2020), he regularly works on such cases in the UK courts and he has appeared in a number of precedent-setting cases in the DIFC Courts in Dubai. Edward has a strong practice as both a trial and appellate lawyer. He has been instructed as sole or leading counsel in many appellate cases in the EAT and the Court of Appeal. He has also been led twice in successful appeals before the Supreme Court, having appeared as counsel at every level of court and tribunal below. Edward also has experience of drafting applications before the European Court of Human Rights.

Janet Kentridge

Specialist in public and administrative law, local government law, commercial law and arbitration and information law. Practises in England and South Africa.

For the last ten years Thomas has been ranked in the top group for employment law in the legal directories. He has particular experience of high-value, complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims, acting for large corporate employers in financial services and professional services, as well as international corporations, public bodies, local authorities, individual and trade union clients. Thomas' practice also includes all other aspects of employment law, including equal pay, industrial action and trade union recognition claims. Thomas also has a well-established and regarded High Court employment law practice, acting for both employers and employees in obtaining and resisting injunctions and claims for wrongful dismissal. At the appelate court level, Thomas has been involved in a number of the leading judgments of the appeal courts, particularly in the discrimination field. Notable cases: House of Lords/Supreme Court: Jones v 3M Healthcare (post-termination discrimination); Anyanwu and Ebuzoeme v South Bank University (scope of knowingly aiding in discrimination claims); Delaney v Staples (unauthorised deductions from wages); Court of Appeal: Hill v Clapton Family Trust Ltd (definition of mental impairment); Williams v J. Walter Thompson (Reasonable adjustments and disability); Stansbury v Dataplus Plc (conduct of tribunal members); Jones v Tower Boots (liability of employers in discrimination); Smith v Gardner Merchant (homosexuals bringing discrimination claim).

Samantha Knights KC

Barrister specialising in immigration and asylum, civil liberties, administrative and public law and commercial litigation including arbitration. Recent and important cases include: Al Sirri/DD (Afghanistan) v SSHD, UKSC (exclusion under Refugee Convention); NS v SSHD, CJEU (Dublin Regulation transfers and EU charter); Le Geyt v UK, ECtHR (no separate provision for female juvenile offenders in Jersey); SFO v Al Zayat, CA (Crim) (proceeds of crime); Rottenberg v LB Hackney, Div Ct (noise nuisance and Art. 9 ECHR).

James Laddie KC

Specialist in employment & discrimination law; also enjoys substantial practice in commercial dispute resolution, civil actions against the police, electoral law, professional regulation and media law. Also instructed to conduct independent investigations in a multitude of settings. Particularly known for cross-examination and strategic trial skills, and for appellate advocacy. Employment and Discrimination 2017 L500 Employment Silk of the Year; ranked Band 1. Over 40 reported cases including leading Court of Appeal cases in whistleblowing (Nurmohamed v. Chestertons; Day v. HEE; Bolton School v. Evans), restraint of trade (Egon Zehnder v. Tillman), discrimination (Igen v. Wong; Cockram v. Air Products), breach of contract (Locke v. Candy & Candy; Coulson v. NGN; Abrahall v. Nottingham CC), partnership (Roberts v. Wilsons LLP), territorial jurisdiction (Jeffery v. British Council). He has particular interests in restraint of trade & breach of confidence, whistleblowing and disability discrimination. Frequently instructed in very high profile first instance disputes, he has extensive experience of obtaining and resisting reporting restrictions and other privacy measures. He acts for employees and employers and has developed particular expertise in disputes in the financial and medical sectors. Advisory work in this sector includes advising on compliance with industrial relations law, working time, equal pay and NMW obligations. Commercial Dispute Resolution Commonly instructed in employment-related commercial disputes covering: breach of confidence and restraint of trade (see above and Farnsworth v. Lacey; Prophet v. Huggett; Utilitywise v. NGP); contractual disputes (e.g. Sheikh al-Nehayan v. Kent); arbitration proceedings (X Co v. Y Co - succesful defence of 400m Euro claim). Civil Actions vs the Police Long-established and directory-ranked practitioner acting exclusively for claimants in assault, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and misfeasance claims. Covers the most serious allegations (e.g. Walker v. CC Staffs Police - misfeasance in connection with quashed murder conviction; X and Y v. CMP - misfeasance in connection with prosecution for the murder of Damilola Taylor). Electoral Law One of a very small number of experienced practitioners in this area. Acted for successful petitioner in successful RPA s.103A challenge to a sitting MP (Watkins v. Woolas); has also acted in electoral coruption case vs. Mayor of Tower Hamlets (Erlam v. Rahman) and in electoral expenses case of R v. Mackinlay. Regulatory/Professional Disciplinary Law Reprenting Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba in her appeal against her erasure from the medical register following her conviction for gross negligence manslaughter. Has also acted for individuals facing proceedings brought by the FCA. Investigations Regularly instructed to conduct various types of investigation e.g. independent investigations into workplace disciplinary allegations, complex grievances and corporate incidents (E.g. currently instructed on behalf of A Org., to investigate the circumstances behind the suicide of an employee in the workplace.) All such investigations are carried out confidentially (where required), sensitively and with complete independence and integrity.

Specialising in crime, public law, human rights and public international law.

Zoë Leventhal KC

Zoë practises in all areas of public law and human rights and is listed as a leading junior in these areas. She has particular expertise in social security and welfare benefits law, healthcare, mental health and mental capacity, local government, equalities duties, immigration, EU law, planning and environmental law.

Barrister specialising in public law, international law, sports law, human rights and discrimination.

Ken MacDonald KC

Areas of practice include: corporate and general crime; civil and criminal fraud; public enquiries; Courts martial; mediation; and sport. Lord Ken Macdonald QC recently returned to private practice after five successful years as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for England and Wales, the first leading defence lawyer to have been appointed to that post. Widely praised by commentators for combining outstanding success in prosecuting serious crime with an outspoken attachment to due process, fair trial and defendants’ rights, he was described in a ‘Times’ editorial on his last day in office as ‘an exemplary figure’ who had transformed his office into a ‘respected and public role’. As DPP, Ken Macdonald was head of the Crown Prosecution Service and established the Counter Terrorism Division, the Organised Crime Division, and the Special Crime Division. He played a major role across Whitehall in the development of criminal justice policy, especially in relation to international treaties and jurisdictional issues, mutual legal assistance, extradition, terrorism, and grave cross border crime. In 2007, he was knighted for services to justice. In the 2008 inaugural ‘Times Law 100’, he was listed fourth most influential lawyer in the UK, directly behind the Senior Law Lord, the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice. Ken Macdonald’s practice ranges from business and corporate crime and associated extraditions, to financial regulatory work, sanctions busting and espionage. He has a special interest in emerging international criminal liabilities.

Danielle Manson

She practises primarily in serious crime, protest law, and inquests and inquiries. She has particular expertise in representing children and young people and is renowned for her empathy, sensitivity and understanding as well as being technically and strategically astute.

Sara Mansoori KC

Barrister with a wide range of experience and practices in all areas of media and information law (including defamation, privacy and confidence, data protection, freedom of information, harassment, contempt, reporting restrictions, pre-publication advice and copyright). She has represented a wide range of clients, including the Core Participant Victims in the Leveson Inquiry, Actors, Sports men/women, Members of Parliament, Local Authorities, Primary Care Trusts, Law Firms, and media publishers. Recent Cases include: Rebekah Vardy v Colleen Rooney [2021] EWHC 1888 (acting for the Claimant in her high profile libel claim); Various Claimants v NGN (acting for the Claimant Group in the phone hacking litigation in relation to The News of the World and The Sun); Sicri v Associated Newspapers [2020] EWHC 3541 (acting for Claimant in his successful privacy claim against the Mailonline); ZXC v Bloomberg [2020] EWCA 611 (acting for Claimant is his successful privacy claim which established the general right not to be named as a suspect of crime); Banks v Cadwalladr [2019] EWHC 3451 (acting for Arron Banks in his libel claim against the journalist Carole Cadwalladr in respect of allegations made in her Ted Talk).”

Jonathan H Marks

Barrister and a CEDR accredited mediator specialising in EU/environment, banking law and public international law. EU/environment work includes: R v Secretary of State for the Environment ex p First Corporate Shipping (ECJ 07/11/00, New Law Digest 800116901); Olivieri v Commission (Court of First Instance, Jan 2000 and April 2003); advised (with Philippe Sands QC) both an international environmental organisation and a foreign government on issues arising from Directive 96/29/EURATOM on radioactive substances; advising Central and Eastern European states on the implementation of EU environmental law. Public international law includes: R v Bow Street Magistrates ex p Pinochet (No3) [1999] 2 WLR 827 HL instructed on behalf of Human Rights Watch, an intervenor; advised (with Ian Geering QC and Philippe Sands QC) by various associated South African corporations in relation to claims arising from the expropriation of diamond mines by the Government of Lesotho; advised on the implications of the dissolution of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Succession Agreement for the distribution of trust assets; and banking work includes: Scottish Equitable v Virdee [1999] 1 FLR 863 CA; Barclays Bank v Coleman [2000] 1 All ER 385 CA; instructed by one of the few remaining mutual building societies in a dispute about its entitlement to close the accounts of customers who nominate or vote for election to the board a carpet-bagger (who wished to demutualise the society); instructed to consider the implications of the Human Rights Act 1998 for financial regulation. Recent public law cases include R (on the application of Robertson) ex p Wakefield DC 2001 regarding the disclosure of information by the electoral registrar and the scope of the EU Data Protection Directive and of ECHR Art 8; retained in the USA as international law expert on the implications of the war in Iraq.

Anirudh practises in employment and discrimination, public and human rights, private and public international, and commercial law. His cases often have an international element and raise issues overlapping practice areas. He currently acts for a wide range of clients, from vulnerable individuals to commercial parties. He has worked on cases at every level of tribunal and court, including several cases before the European Court of Human Rights. He is highly regarded for the quality of his oral advocacy, including cross-examination.

Zoe McCallum

Gavin Millar KC

Gavin has a broad practice spanning media, information, public, criminal, employment and discrimination law.

Eleanor Mitchell

Eleanor has a wide-ranging practice with a particular focus on public law and human rights. Her recent experience spans equality law, education, immigration and asylum, employment, and community care; she also has specialist knowledge of international human rights and humanitarian law. In addition to her advisory work, Eleanor has appeared before the High Court, First-Tier Tribunal (Special Education Needs and Disability/Immigration and Asylum), the Magistrates’ Court, the Employment Tribunal and the Parole Board.

Eleni Mitrophanous

Barrister with particular expertise in EU law, public law, human rights law, VAT/excise law and commercial law. She acts for individuals and commercial organisations as well as for public authorities.

Karon Monaghan KC

Karon practises principally in the fields of equality and discrimination law, human rights and EU law. Her work spans the fields of employment law, civil actions, judicial review and inquests. She has appeared in numerous cases at appellate level, including in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and (on references under Art 267, TFEU) in the CJEU.

Clare Montgomery KC

Specialist in criminal, regulatory and fraud law.

Advisory work in employment law (individual and collective) and public employment law; works with colleagues on litigation in these areas; mediation; employment law and industrial relations arbitration and conciliation; labour law expert for the International Labour Organisation and an expert adviser to the European Commission; experienced lecturer to legal practitioner, management and trade union audiences in the UK and overseas.

Helen Mountfield KC

Helen is a versatile silk with a strong leading practice in public law, human rights and equality, information, EU and employment law. Recent/notable public law cases include: R(Susan Smith) v Ministry of Defence (Supreme Court; article 1 ECHR jurisdiction); R(London Borough of Lewisham & Ors) v Ofqual & Ors (Div Court; successful rebuttal of challenge to GCSE English results); CN v United Kingdom (ECtHR; first finding of breach of Article 4 ECHR against UK); Czop & Punakova v SSWP (CJEU: rights under Citizens’ Directive; distinction between self-employed persons and workers); R(G) v Governing Body of X School (Supreme Court; article 6 ECHR, education); Burnip v Department for Work & Pensions (Court of Appeal; relevance of UN Conventions in national law); Watkins v Woolas (the Oldham East and Saddleworth election petition); and R (Woolas) v Parliamentary Election Court (Div Court; reviewability of decision of Parliamentary Election Court); R(Hurley & Moore) v SSBERR (Div Court; partly successful challenge to introduction of university tuition fees); R(E) v Governing Body of JFS (Supreme Court; race discrimination and schools); R(Green) v Gloucestershire & Somerset CC (successful library closure challenges); R (Harris) v LB Haringey; R(Hajrula) v London Councils, Secretary of State v Elias, R(Cordant Group plc) v BERR; Brown v DWP & BERR; R(Kaur & Shah) v LB Ealing (all major cases on public sector equality duties); RB & OO (Jordan) v SSHD and AH v SSHD (CA and House of Lords terrorism, Article 6); YL v Birmingham CC (House of Lords, public authorities and HRA); Re B (House of Lords – burden of proof and human rights); Ladele v London Borough of Islington (CA); Catholic Care v Charity Commission; R(Watkins-Singh) v Aberdare Girls’ High School; Ghai v Newcastle CC (human rights & religion); Pedro v DWP (CA; EU Citizens’ Directive); Stec v UK (Grand Chamber ECtHR). Other notable cases on www.matrixlaw.co.uk

Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC

Blinne is a human rights and international law expert with a broad criminal, civil and public law practice. She advises and acts for individuals, States, Non-Governmental Organisations, and other national and international bodies, arguing novel, complex and often high-profile points of law before domestic courts, including the Supreme Court, and before international courts and tribunals, including the International Court of Justice. Her domestic practice includes cases involving the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of protest, discrimination and equality, international law, environmental law, national security, prisons, police. Blinne was nominated Public International Law Junior of the Year in 2022. She was shortlisted for Barrister of the Year in 2022, Crime Junior of the Year in both 2020 and 2021, and for Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year in 2021. She was Times Lawyer of the Week in January 2022 and Irish Legal News Barrister of the Month in February 2022 for her defence of one of protesters who toppled the statue of the slaver Edward Colston in Bristol. She was appointed a Visiting Fellow at Harvard Law School in 2016, and a Pegasus Fellow to the Centre for Constitutional Right in New York in 2010. She is called to the Bars of Ireland, North and South, in addition to the Bar of England and Wales. She is also on the International Criminal Court’s List of Counsel.

Jesse specialises in judicial review, inquests and inquiries, civil claims against public authorities, human rights, equality and discrimination law, and media and open justice. His expertise encompasses public and private law claims involving complex points of law, as well as evidence-heavy and contentious inquests, public inquiries and civil trials. He is equally assured advising on significant and novel points of law and making complex legal submissions, as he is questioning witnesses in high profile public inquiries, inquests and civil trials.

Barrister specialising in inquest and inquiries, administrative/judicial review; human rights; civil claims, professional discipline and regulation, employment law; sports law; discrimination; common law (general). Ranked as a leading junior by The Legal 500 in Inquest and Inquiries & Sports: “His superb interpersonal skills are ideal for dealing with hotly contested cases, encouraging a logical and well-reasoned approach by all. ’ Excellent advocacy, knows his law, good with clients and they like him too. My clients are with a safe pair of hands when I instruct him. ’ Previous editions said: "Ifeanyi has a real teamwork approach. He is excellent on his feet and has the ability to bring the strands of a case together. He builds excellent rapport with clients." "Ifeanyi has a real teamwork approach. He is excellent on his feet and has the ability to bring the strands of a case together. He builds excellent rapport with clients." "Extremely user-friendly and knowledgeable, in whatever capacity you encounter him. A refreshingly modern practitioner, who is the face of the Bar it aspires to be." "He is very prominent and respected, sitting regularly on the most high-profile misconduct cases for the FA." “A real up-and comer who has progressed speedily to become a well-known practitioner; has acted on some of the FA’s highest profile cases.” “He possesses gravitas and intellect, which are of tremendous benefit to all his clients." ‘He has a superb eye for detail and grasps the issues in a case quickly, however substantial or complex the evidence. An excellent tactician, appreciated for his thorough approach. An impressive advocate and a pleasure to work with.’ ‘Clearly very experienced and comfortable in sports disciplinary proceedings. Always thinking laterally’.

Specialises in criminal fraud and regulatory work (including trial, judicial review/appellate work, bribery, sanctions, cartels, insider dealing/market abuse, asset restraint/confiscation, money laundering, all forms of fraud), extradition, public law (especially crime and criminal due process, prison, police, mental health and inquest law), human rights law, police law, sports law, public inquiries and civil litigation involving the abuse of power by public bodies. General criminal work ranges from terrorism to interception of communications and official secrets act prosecutions. Has appeared in more than 50 appeals to the House of Lords/Supreme Court/Privy Council as well as in numerous appeals to the Court of Appeal in both public and criminal law cases, particularly those which raise novel human rights issues. He has extensive experience in miscarriage of justice references by the CCRC. He is valued for his team working ability, his approachability, his ability to absorb a mass of complex information, his skills in cross examination and his ability to present dificult arguments to jurors and judges alike in plain, clear language. Extensive experience of cases involving an international, cross border dimension and regularly appears in the Hong Kong courts. He is an Advisory Editor of Blackstone’s Criminal Practice 2016 and the editor/author of numerous publications including Asset Recovery: Criminal Confiscation and Civil Recovery (OUP, 2015), Prison Law, 5th edition, (OUP, 2015) and Blackstone’s Guide to the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (OUP, 2005).

Aidan O’Neill KC

Aidan O’Neill QC (Scot) QC is dual-qualified and a "double silk". He is a senior counsel in practice in England and Wales, and a leading member of the Scottish bar. He has a wide ranging European law/public law practice both north and south of the board. He is a specialist in EU law, human rights and constitutional law. He was awarded the Legal 500 UK Bar Award for EU law silk of the year in 2015. His expert legal advice is regularly sought, particularly on the impact of EU law on other areas of UK law, including on charity law, employment law, environmental law, equality law, private international law, public procurement, and trade law. He has argued cases as senior counsel before the the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights, as well as before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the House of Lords and on numerous occasions before the UK Supreme Court. Among his more recent cases are: Scotch Whisky Association v. Lord Advocate [2017] UKSC on the EU law compatibility of the legilsation imposing a minimum price for the retailing of alcohol; R (UNISON) v. Lord Chancellor [2017] UKSC 51 JR of validity of the Employment Tribunals and Employment Appeal Tribunal Fees Order 2013 requiring payment of court dues/fees for claims to ETs and appeal to EAT; Janah v. Libya [2017] UKSC on the right to access a court a obtain substantive remedy in employment dispute claims otherwise barred by claims to State immunity under national legislation; R (Miller) v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union [2017] UKSC 5 on whether the UK Government could rely upon its prerogative powers to trigger Article 50 TEU for the UK to leave the EU; “A” v. General Council of Bar of Northern Ireland [2017] UKSC on the compatibility of NI Bar Council rules requiring instruction of senior counsel with Convention right to lawyer of one’s choosing; AB v. Her Majesty’s Advocate [2017] UKSC 25 on the Convention compatibility of legislation sleectively removing a reasonable belief defence as to the age of a sexual partner; Shindler v. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 24 May [2016] UKSC 2016/0105 [2016] EWCA Civ 469 [2016] EWHC (Admin) 957 challenge to the EU and common law constitutional compatibility of the exclusion from the Brexit referendum franchise of British citizens who had exercised their EU free movement and citizenship rights to live outside the UK for more than 15 years; Christian Institute v. Lord Advocate [2016] UKSC 51 [2015] CSIH 64, [2015] CSOH 7 on the incompatibility with EU and Convention law standards for data protection of the Scottish “named person" legislation; R (Hainsworth) v. Ministry of Defence 1 December 2015 UKSC re Article 5 of Directive 2000/78 and the duty of an employer to make reasonable adjustments within the context of associative discrimination to accommodate the disability needs of a dependent child of an employee; R (Sandiford) v. Foreign and Commonwealth Office [2014] UKSC 44; [2013] EWCA Civ 581; [2013] EWHC 168 (Admin) re funding for legal representation of British nationals facing the death penalty abroad; R. (Chester) v Secretary of State for Justice/McGeoch v. Lord President of the Council [2013] UKSC 63; [2011] CSIH 67; [2011] CSOH 65 on the EU law compatibility of the blanket ban on prisoners voting; Bulls v. Preddy and Hall [2013] UKSC 73 - whether Christian guest house owners could, on grounds of religious conviction, lawfully refuse a double-bedded room to a couple in a civil partnership; Animal Defenders International v. United Kingdom (2013) 57 EHRR 21 (Grand Chamber, 22 April 2013) - whether the ban on paid “political” broadcast advertising was compatible with right to free expression under Article 10 ECHR; Walton (formerly Roadsense) v. Scottish Ministers [2012] UKSC 44 - EU law and the Aarhus Convention in relation to duties of strategic environmental assessment, public consultation and statutory title of “persons aggrieved” to object to road schemes on environmental grounds; Ravat v. Halliburton Manufacturing & Services Ltd. [2012] UKSC 1; [2010] CSIH 52 - whether a UK employment tribunal had jurisdiction to adjudicate on an unfair dismissal claim from an oil industry employee working outside the EU; AXA General Insurance v. Lord Advocate [2011] UKSC 46; [2011] CSIH 31; [2010] CSOH 2 - judicial review of the validity and Convention compatibility of the Damages (Asbestos-related conditions) (Scotland) Act 2009; Cadder v. Her Majesty’s Advocate [2010] UKSC 43 - on the Convention right to have a solicitor present during a police interview while in police detention; R (JF and Thompson) v. Minister of Justice [2010] UKSC 17 - Article 8 ECHR right to privacy and its compatibility with the imposition of indefinite period of notification on the sex offenders register without provision for review. Aidan O’Neill also has a niche practice in the area of sports law. Recent cases include:Mike Ashley v. Scottish Football Association [2016] CSOH 78 – judicial review of a determination of a Judicial Panel and Appellate Tribunal of the SFA; Tonev/Celtic FC v. Scottish Football Association [2014] SFA Appellate Tribunal nyr – appeal against a determination of the SFA disciplinary tribunal making a finding of misconduct in use of racist abuse by one player against another and with consequent imposition of sanction of match suspension; Rangers FC v. Scottish Football Association [2012] CSOH 95, (judicial review of vires of imposition by SFA Disciplinary Panel of sanction of one year transfer ban on players in respect of a finding that the club had brought the game of association football into disrepute)

Raj Parker is an associate member of Matrix and prior to joining was a solicitor at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer for over 30 years, 23 as a Partner. He specialises in general commercial and financial services dispute resolution, international regulatory investigations, public and administrative, and sports law. He has handled contentious and regulatory issues in the insurance, banking, pharmaceuticals, air traffic, leisure, diamond, energy, transport, reconstruction and insolvency, sport and media sectors. He also specialises in corporate criminal investigations and white collar crime issues.

Vedrana is recognised as a leading junior in the highly complex arena of fraud. She handles the full range of financial crime cases, including serious fraud, insider dealing and market abuse, corruption and bribery (domestic and international), benefit and mortgage fraud and money laundering. Vedrana has been instructed in some of the largest and most high-profile business crime cases before the UK courts involving senior executives, corporate entities and global institutions, including LIBOR rate–fixing, Weavering Capital Fund fraud and Dahdaleh. She has experience of dealing with SFO, FCA and DOJ investigations as well as internal investigations. Vedrana has a detailed understanding of both the law and procedure relating to ancillary proceedings, such as restraint proceedings, confiscation proceedings and Administrative Court proceedings. She is well-placed to advise clients on all aspects of asset forfeiture, from pre-charge restraint through to post-conviction confiscation, or civil recovery in the event of acquittal. Vedrana is currently instructed on behalf of a former banker relating to charges of defrauding the Libyan Sovereign Wealth Fund. Vedrana regularly contributes to publications and presents to law firms and corporates on financial crime matters. She is a Middle Temple advocacy trainer and regularly judges moot competitions.

Laura Prince KC

Specialises in employment and discrimination law, regularly appearing at appellate level and in complex employment tribunal matters for both claimants and respondents. Laura is one of the Attorney General’s Junior Counsel to the Crown (B Panel). Notable cases include: Parkwood Leisure v Alemo-Herron and others [2013] IRLR 744 (Court of Justice of the European Union, TUPE transfers); Hounga v Allen and Another [2014] IRLR 811 (Supreme Court, unfair dismissal, race discrimination and illegality); Gallop v Newport City Council [2014] IRLR 211 (Court of Appeal, disability discrimination); Burke v (1) College of Law and (2) Solicitors Regulatory Authority [2012] EqLR 279 (Court of Appeal, disability discrimination); Shui v University of Manchester UKEAT/ 0230/16/DA (duties of ET's towards disabled litigants in person); Urso v DWP [2017] IRLR 304 (important case concerning discrimination arising from disability); DWP v Mughal UKEAT/0343/15 (successful perversity appeal); Atkinson v Community Gateway Association [2014] IRLR 834 (important constructive dismissal case concerning whether an employee can bring a claim if they are themselves in repudiatory breach of contract); Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board v Hughes and Others UKEAT/0179/13/JOJ (harassment on grounds of disability); Bradley v Royal Holloway University [2014] All ER (D) 12 (Sept) (professorial equal pay claim); Dass v The College of Harringey Enfield and North East London UKEAT/0108/12 (equal pay, stable employment relationships); Bozeat-Manzi v Telephonica UKEAT/0108/12 (litigants in person, just and equitable extension); Vaidya v GMC [2012] All ER (D) 215 (May) (construction of s12(1A) of the Race Relations Act).

Mathew Purchase KC

Mathew's practice includes all aspects of public law, employment law, discrimination law, and human rights and civil liberties. He is on the Attorney General's A Panel and is a member of the Bar Pro Bono Unit and ELAAS. Recent cases include: R (UNISON) v Lord Chancellor (SC, employment tribunal fees), Naeem v Secretry of State for Justice (SC, indirect discrinination), Vining v UNISON (CA, applicabiltiy of ECHR to police exceptions from employment rights), Trayhorn v Ministry of Justice (EAT, religious discrimination), R (Civil Nuclear Police Federation) v CNPA (QBD, public service pensions), Sparks v Department of Transport (CA, incorporation of terms), and R (Care North East Northumberland) v Northumberland County Council (CA, care home fees). Mathew is an ADR Group Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator.

Nicholas Randall KC

Barrister specialising in employment, sport and pensions related work. He has appeared in numerous high profile cases in these fields. Clients include Kevin Keegan, Sir Bobby Robson, George Graham, David O’Leary, Newcastle United, The ECB, and the Leeds Rhinos. He is a member of the FA Premier League Disciplinary Tribunal Panel. He also acts for banks, financial institutions and trade unions in all aspects of employment and pensions law. He has a special expertise in public sector pensions schemes.

Nathan Roberts practises in employment, discrimination, public and other related practice areas, including human rights and education. He has acted in all domestic appellate courts and in the European Court of Human Rights.

James has a multi-disciplinary practice which covers public law and human rights, tort law (including clinical negligence and group claims), inquests and inquiries, crime, and equality law. James’ multi-disciplinary practice allows him to advise in complex claims where practice areas overlap. Chambers and Partners 2021 states that: “He’s committed, dedicated and very caring. He has a passion for the work he does and he’s fantastic at inquest work in particular.” James is on the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s and the Attorney General’s Panels of Counsel at B level.

Matthew Ryder KC

Specialist in the interplay between civil and criminal law, with particular emphasis on complex crime, civil claims for misconduct, surveillance, fraud, media, freedom of expression, public law, police powers and regulatory bodies, including information law. Particular expertise in all aspects of RIPA, and leading counsel in the recent notable cases Protection of police powers and rights of journalists (Miranda v Home Secretary [2016] EWCA Civ 6) Bulk surveillance powers (Liberty v GCHQ [2015] HRLR 2), Misconduct in commercial disputes (Orb v Ruhan [2016] EWHC 850 (Comm)); undercover policing (R v Berkshire [2011] EWCA 1885), Use of counter terrorist powers (Beghal v DPP [2015] UKSC 49). Has appeared in a number of cases as leading counsel in the UK Supreme Court, European Court of Human Rights and the International Criminal Court, as well as in a range of high-profile criminal and civil cases, ranging from complex crime to judicial review and privacy.

Sarah has a wide-ranging and successful public law practice which spans Matrix’s core areas. Sarah’s work encompasses public, planning, environmental, education, local government, election, rating and discrimination law. Her experience covers the appellate courts at all levels including the Supreme Court. She also regularly appears at planning inquiries. Sarah specialises in High Court/JR work acting for claimants and public bodies alike. Notable clients include the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, Mayor of London, Liberty, Friends of the Earth and Shelter.

Katy practises in public (administrative) law, human rights law, education law, and employment law. She has experience in the intersections of these four practice areas, for example in discrimination law. She trained at Matrix and joined as a member in 2021. Katy is ranked as “Up and Coming” in Administrative Law by Chambers and Partners (2025) and as a “Rising Star” in Education Law by the Legal 500 (2025). She is a member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Panel of Counsel, appointed in her first year of eligibility.

Ben Silverstone

Ben has a broad practice in media and information law, with a particular expertise in defamation, breach of confidence, privacy, data protection and harassment claims and in related areas such as reporting restrictions, source protection issues, open justice and contempt of court. He also specialises in public law and civil actions against public bodies, and is a member of the Attorney General’s B Panel for Junior Counsel to the Crown. Recent notable cases include: Oliver v Shaikh [2019] EWHC 401 (QB) (harassment proceedings brought by a Circuit Judge); Channel 4 v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [2019] 1 Costs LR 67 (costs in production order proceedings under the Terrorism Act 2000); Stunt v Associated Newspapers [2018] 1 WLR 6060 (Court of Appeal decision on the journalistic exemption under the Data Protection Act 1998); the Mobile Telephone Voicemail Interception Litigation (acting as junior counsel for NGN in numerous claims relating to “hacking”); the Construction Industry Vetting Information Litigation (acting as junior counsel for the Claimants in group litigation against several major construction companies); In re BBC [2018] 1 WLR 6023 (appeal of order for reporting restrictions in criminal proceedings); Buzzfeed v Gubarev and others [2018] EWHC 1201 (QB) (appeal of order for oral examination for use in defamation proceedings in Florida); Brevan Howard Asset Management v Reuters [2017] EWCA Civ 950 (Article 10 ECHR public interest defence to a breach of confidence claim); Miller v Associated Newspapers [2017] 1 WLR 3985 (Supreme Court appeal on the recovery of additional costs in libel and privacy claims); Hourani v Thomson [2017] EWHC 432 (QB) (trial of claims in defamation and harassment relating to online material, and related source protection issues); In re Times Newspapers [2016] 1 WLR 4366 (appeal against an order for an in camera hearing and reporting restrictions in a criminal trial); PJS v News Group Newspapers [2016] 2 WLR 1253 (appeal of an application to discharge an interim injunction on basis that relevant information had entered the public domain); R (BD) v Director of Legal Aid Casework [2016] EWCA Civ 733 (costs appeal in judicial review proceedings); In re Guardian News and Media [2016] 1 WLR 1767 (appeal of order refusing permission to publish reports of a criminal trial on national security grounds); R (Miranda) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Liberty and others intervening) [2016] 1 WLR 1505 (stop and search procedure held incompatible with Article 10 in relation to journalistic material); Yeo v Times Newspapers Limited [2015] EWHC 3375 (QB) (successful defence at trial to a libel claim); Vidal-Hall v Google Inc [2015] 3 WLR 409 (whether a claim for compensation under section 13 of the Data Protection Act 1998 can be brought without proof of pecuniary loss); Reed Elsevier UK Ltd (t/a LexisNexis) v Bewry [2015] 1 WLR 2565 (disapplication of the limitation period in libel proceedings); ENRC v Judge [2014] EWHC 3556 (QB) (duty of delivery-up of a non-executive company director); Smith and others v Ministry of Defence [2014] AC 52 (duty of care in respect of injury and death suffered in combat); R (Refugee Action) v SSHD [2014] EWHC 1033 (Admin) (decision to freeze the level of cash support for asylum seekers held unlawful); R (KM) v Cambridgeshire County Council [2012] 3 All ER 1218 (lawfulness of a resource allocation system within the child social care framework); R (W) v Birmingham City Council [2011] Eq. L.R. 721 (compatibility of adult social care policy with disability equality duty and duty to consult).

Jessica Simor KC

Specialises in public law, EU and human rights. Recent cases: R (on application of Ingenious Media Holdings PLC and another) v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2015] EWCA Civ 173; R (on the application of WHISTL UK LTD (formerly TNT Post UK LTD)) (Claimant) v Revenue & Customs Commissioners (Defendant) & Royal Mail Group Ltd (Interested Party) [2014] EWHC 3480 (Admin); BPP University College of Professional Studies Ltd and others v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2014] UKUT 496 (TCC); Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills v PLT Anti-Marketing Ltd [2015] EWCA Civ 76; R (on the application of Letts) v Lord Chancellor; [2015] EWHC 402 (Admin), Delfi v Estonia App. No. 64569/09 (pending); Smith and another v Ministry of Defence (JUSTICE and another intervening).

Kirsten Sjøvoll

Kirsten practices predominately in media, public and international law.

Paul’s practice spans the full range of public, human rights and commercial law as well as allied areas, including competition and regulation, employment, EU and international law, environmental, media and sports law. He is regularly instructed in complex cases on his own and has a busy practice as a junior. His clients include individuals and businesses, NGOs and public bodies.

Lorna Skinner KC

Specialises in media and information law, encompassing data protection, defamation, privacy, breach of confidence, contempt, reporting restrictions. Extensive litigation experience acting for claimants and defendants. Cases of interest include: PJS v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2016] UKSC 26; Orb v Ruhan [2016] EWHC 850 (Comm); [2016] EWHC 361; Burrell v Clifford [2015] EWHC 2001 (Ch D); Vidal-Hall v Google [2014] EWHC 13; R (Secretary of Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs) v Assistant Deputy Coroner for Inner North London [2013] EWHC 3724 (Admin), [2013] EWHC 1786 (Admin); The wife and children of Omar Othman v English National Resistance and Ors [2013] EWHC 1421 (QB); APW v WPA [2012] EWHC 3151 (QB); Mayer v Hoar [2012] EWHC 1805; Viagogo Ltd v Myles and ors [2012] EWHC 433 (Ch); Hunt v Times Newspapers Ltd [2011] EWHC 272; Imerman v Imerman [2010] EWHC 64, [2009] EWHC 3486; Imerman v Tchenguiz [2009] EWHC 2024, [2009] EWHC 2902; Stelios Haji-Ioannou v Mark Dixon [2009] EWHC 178; Applause Store Production Ltd v Raphael [2008] EWHC 1781; Gentoo Group Ltd v Hanratty [2008] EWHC 627; Drury v Carnegie [2007] EWCA Civ 497, [2007] EMLR 24; L v L [2007] 2 FLR 171; Culla Park v Richards & ors [2007] EWHC 1687. Also acted for News International at the Leveson Inquiry and for various media parties at the Litvinenko inquiry.

Hugh Southey KC

Hugh Southey has led at all levels up to and including the Supreme Court as well as in the Privy Council, the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. He has led in 26 hearings before the Supreme Court. Hugh has also litigated in a range of jurisdictions including Northern Ireland, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, the Turks and Caicos and the United States. Hugh specialises in public law in a wide range of fields including human rights, regulatory, prison law, inquests, crime, extradition, mental health, terrorism, immigration, discrimination and elections. Hugh litigates public law and human rights arguments both in judicial review proceedings and civil claims. Hugh also appears in criminal appeals and Court of Protection matters. Hugh’s human rights practice has expanded so that it includes a number of cases regarding privacy. Recent key cases including: R (A) v SSJ [2021] UKSC 37; R (Hemmati) v SSHD [2021] AC 143; R (P) v SSHD [2020] AC 185; R(Stott) v SSJ [2020] AC 51.

Daniel Squires KC

Practice encompasses national security, financial sanctions, prison law, police powers, social welfare law education, discrimination, privacy, EU law and commercial/regulatory judicial review. Involved in over a dozen European Court of Human Rights and Supreme Court cases including on financial sanctions, prison segregation, interception of communications, airport stops under the Terrorism Act, religious freedoms in the workplace, race discrimination in school admissions, and the retention of DNA and maintenance of databases by the police. .

James Stansfeld

He has a broad human rights-based practice in public law; criminal law; inquests and inquiries; and media and information law. Much of his work across these areas focuses on extradition and cross-border crime; human trafficking; protest; data rights; and policing. In his first two years in practice, he has been instructed at all levels up to the UK Supreme Court.

Mark Summers KC

Specialist in extradition, mutual legal assistance, criminal EU law. Recent extradition cases include ● India v Vijay Mallya ● USA v Naviner Sarao (the 2010 “flash crash”) ● USA v Kareem Serageldin (Credit Suisse executive prosecuted for his part in the 2008 financial crisis) ● the collapse of Enron (the “NatWest 3”) ● Spain v Rwandan intelligence chief, General Karenzi Karake ● Sweden v Julian Assange ● South Africa v Shrien Dewani. Mark’s domestic criminal practice focuses on anti-terrorism and cases concerning complex cross-border and jurisdictional issues. His recent caseload has included ● R v Anjem Choudary ● the 1982 Hyde Park IRA bombing ● the Pakistani international cricket spot-fixing trial ● the plot to bomb the London Stock Exchange ● challenges to the legality of the policing of the 2011 Royal Wedding.

Roisin Swords-Kieley

Roisin welcomes instructions in all of Matrix’s practice areas; she practises primarily in Employment Law, Equality Law, Education Law, Media Law and Public Law and Human Rights. Roisin has appeared (unled) in the High Court, County Court, Employment Appeal Tribunal, Employment Tribunal and SEND Tribunal. She has also appeared as Junior Counsel in the Court of Appeal and has been instructed in matters before the Supreme Court.

Christian specialises in international dispute settlement, notably inter-State litigation, investment disputes and questions of international sports law.

Rhodri Thompson KC

Barrister specialising in EU law, UK and EU competition law, public law; recent cases include Ethernet, MasterCard, Tobacco, The Number v OFCOM and BT, Construction, Albion Water v OFWAT; GNER v ORR; Genzyme v OFT; Scottish Milk.

Hugh Tomlinson KC

Specialises in defamation and privacy, commercial, civil liberties and human rights. Recent cases include: Gentoo Group v Hanratty [2008] EWHC 627 (QB) (limitation); Charman v Orion Publishing [2008] EMLR 16 and Roberts v Gable [2008] QB 502 (Reynolds qualified privilege); Times Newspapers v Soldiers A-C [2008] EWCA Crim 2559 and Re Trinity Mirror [2008] QB 770 (reporting restrictions); (Ch) Corporate Officer of House of Commons v Information Commissioner [2008] EWHC 1084 (Admin) (MP’s expenses, freedom of information); FanmailUK.com v Cooper [2008] EWHC 3131 (commercial).

Barrister specialising in European Union law, European Convention of Human Rights, judicial review, competition law, banking law, financial services and commercial law. Cases: Case T- 680/13 Chrysostomides & Co. LLC and Others v the Council, the Euro Group, the Commission, the European Central Bank, and the European Union; Case T-786/14 Bourdouvali and Others v the Council, the Euro Group, the Commission, the European Central Bank, and the European Union; Case C-220/13 P Nikolaou v Court of Auditors, judgment of 10 July 2014; FA (Iraq) v SSHD [2011] UKSC 22 (asylum, remedies for EU rights); Al-Jedda v United Kingdom (application no. 27021/08, ECtHR, 2011, rights to security); Youssef v SSFCA (QBD 2011, UNSC sanctions, EU fundamental rights); Nicolaou v Court of Auditors (case T-241/09, General Court of the EU, 2011, non-contractual liability of the EU); Petridou-Katakalidou v Greece (application no 3463/09, ECtHR, 2010, articles 6, 7 ECHR) Mamidakis v Greece (application no 35533/04, 2007, right to property and right to an effective remedy); Cadbury Schweppes – Pzifer (2003, Merger clearance from the Greek Competition Authority); Case C-244/95 Moskof v EOK [1997] ECR I-6441 (ECJ, judicial review). Also practicing as a Greek advocate specialising banking, stock exchange law, commercial, company, tax law and judicial review.

Guy Vassall-Adams KC

Specialist in all aspects of media, broadcasting and information law, both domestic and European, including privacy, data protection, defamation, contempt of court, open justice, broadcasting regulation, electronic commerce and the internet and media-related judicial reviews. Also undertakes cases in public law, human rights and international law. Recent cases include: the Mobile Telephone Voicemail Interception Litigation (“phone hacking”); the Construction Industry Vetting Information Group Litigation (“blacklisting”); Nicklinson v Ministry of Justice [2014] 3 WLR 200 (assisted suicide, right to private and family life); Mosley v Google Inc [2015] EWHC 59 (QB) (data protection, electronic commerce); Cooper-Hohn v Hohn [2015] 1 FLR 19 (ancillary relief proceedings, privacy); NAB v Serco [2014] EWHC 1225 (QB) (access to court documents); Re Fi Call [2013] 1 WLR 2993 (private hearings, open justice); M v Parole Board [2013] EMLR 23 (right to life, open justice); Graisley Properties v Barclays Bank [2013] EWHC 67 (anonymity, open justice). Previous significant Supreme Court and House of Lords cases include: Al Rawi v Security Service [2012] 1 AC 531 (closed hearings, open justice); Jameel v Wall Street Journal Europe [2007] 1 AC 359 (defamation, responsible journalism defence).

Adrian Waterman KC

Adrian Waterman QC is an adaptable and skilled advocate who is highly recommended. His practice principally focuses on the following areas: (1) financial and business crime; (2) privacy and media law,including GDPR; (3) general crime, particularly homicide and sexual offences; (4) public and administrative law; (5) inquests; (6) civil actions for or against the police; (7) security-related cases (he is developed vetted).

Antony White KC

Commercial law, Arbitration, Media and Information Law, Data Protection, Employment Law

Richard Whittam KC

Aidan joined Matrix in October 2016 upon the completion of his traineeship and is developing a practice spanning public, media and information, and employment law. He has appeared before the High Court, County Court, Employment Tribunals, First-Tier Tribunal (Special Education Needs and Disability), Magistrates’ Courts and the Parole Board.

Barrister specialising in advising and acting for claimants in relation to human rights and public law challenges involving judicial review including, in particular, local government, education, environment, equality, community care; mental health and disability.