Matrix Chambers

matrixlaw.co.uk

Mark Afeeva

Mark Afeeva is a barrister practising in employment and discrimination law, sports law, commercial disputes, media and entertainment law, and mediation. Called in 1997 and practising at Matrix Chambers since 2000, he has been ranked for many years by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a leading junior in employment and sports law.Employment and discrimination: Mark acts for individuals and organisations in claims involving unfair and wrongful dismissal, sex, race, disability and religious discrimination, contractual disputes and senior workplace relationships. He has particular experience of claims involving academic and financial institutions, professional bodies and public authorities. Cases include Anyanwu v South Bank University; Ben-Hassine v Birmingham University; Kamlesh Bahl v The Law Society; and Ali Dizaei v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.Sports law: Mark acts for athletes, clubs, agents and governing bodies in contractual, disciplinary, regulatory, agency and selection disputes. He has represented PFA members before FA, Premier League and Football League tribunals; football clubs before FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber; and parties in High Court, arbitral and Court of Arbitration for Sport proceedings. Instructions have included matters concerning Michail Antonio, Christian Atsu, Sol Campbell, Sky Andrew and Jermain Defoe, and world triathlon champion Tim Don. He has negotiated professional football transfers and was formerly an FA Registered Intermediary. His practice has also included showjumping and badminton disputes.Mediation and commercial experience: Mark is a Civil Mediation Council Associate Mediator. He accepts mediation instructions in employment and discrimination, executive, commercial and contractual, property-development and sports disputes. Alongside his legal practice, he is the Executive Director of a CQC-registered domiciliary-care provider employing nearly 300 people and delivering approximately 8,000 care hours weekly, with turnover approaching eight figures. He is also a property investor and Founder and Managing Director of Danelise Homes Limited, with experience spanning investment, development, finance and commercial negotiation. His combined legal, executive and property experience informs a calm, pragmatic and commercially focused approach to both his legal instructions as Counsel and mediations.

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).

Catherine Arnold

Catherine accepts instructions in all of Matrix’s practice areas, with an emphasis on public law and human rights, actions against the police and prison authorities, private international law, media law, and education law.

Diamond Ashiagbor

Diamond Ashiagbor is Professor of Law at the University of Kent, and is widely regarded as a leading academic in European Union law, labour/employment law, and equality law. She was awarded the Society of Legal Scholars/Peter Birks Prize for Outstanding Legal Scholarship for her book on European Union employment law and the economics of labour market regulation. In 2020, Diamond was made Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FacSS), for her contribution to social science. She was previously Professor of Law and Director of Research at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (University of London), Professor of Labour Law at SOAS University of London, and Reader in Law at University College London. Diamond qualified as a solicitor with trade union firm Robin Thompson and Partners (now Thompsons). She was elected Honorary Bencher of Middle Temple in 2018. She has twice served as a ‘senior expert’ to the project team for a European Commission-funded investigation: a Comparative study on access to justice in gender equality and anti-discrimination law; and an Analysis of the interaction between the EU acquis and ILO Conventions. Diamond has also served as a consultant to trade unions and charities on indidivual employment law and collective labour law; race, sex and disability discrimination law. She is a former Executive Committee Member of the Industrial Law Society. Since 2023, Diamond has been a Trustee of Black Cultural Archives, the UK’s only national heritage centre dedicated to collecting, preserving and celebrating the histories of African and Caribbean people in Britain. Diamond’s current research focuses on informal and non-standard work (‘zero hours’ contracts, agency work, platform-mediated work); and on the legacies of colonialism for contemporary employment, for which she was awarded a British Academy/ Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship in 2023. She is a current or former member of the editorial committees of European Law Open; Comparative Labor Law & Policy Journal; London Review of International Law. As Professor of law, Diamond teaches and supervises research degrees on employment and equality law, labour migration, human rights law, public law, EU and African Union law, and law and development. Diamond’s academic work has received funding from the British Academy, the Leverhulme Trust, the US-EU Fulbright Program, the Economic and Social Research Council, and the Society of Legal Scholars.

Kwaku Awuku-Asabre

Prior to pursuing a career at the Bar, Kwaku worked as a fixed income analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch dealing primarily with structured products in the UK banks space. Combining this experience with trial advocacy experience in general crime across a range of matters - GBH, murder, attempt rape and aggravated burglary - equipped Kwaku for a practice in financial crime. Kwaku has acted as junior counsel alone, junior - led counsel and disclosure counsel in matters spanning complex POCA, environmental agency prosecutions, complex fraud, large scale bribery, asset forfeiture, FCA investigations, SFO investigations, internal healthcare company investigations, advising corporates on the Bribery Act and money laundering regulations, advising a global tech company on sanctions and defending in the prosecutions of a company dealing in crypto-currency based products. Kwaku regularly speaks on subjects of relevance to his practice including a series of talks with Jamas Hodivala KC, on money laundering, environmental crime and supply chain investigations. Currently Kwaku is a junior counsel instructed to represent 11 former undercover police officers in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, instructed by DAC Beachcroft.

Alex Bailin

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/

Radha Bhatt

Radha has significant experience of media, information and privacy litigation. She also regularly provides pre-publication legal and regulatory advice in relation to print and broadcast media. Radha has experience in a range of public law matters spanning police and prison law, inquests and inquiries, education and equality law.

Nicholas Blake

Sir Nicholas Blake joined Matrix as a founder member in May 2000 and became its first chair until 2002. He was appointed a Recorder in 2000; a Deputy High Court Judge in 2002 and became a Bencher of the Middle Temple in the same year. In December 2005 he was appointed by the Minister of Defence to review the circumstances surrounding the deaths of four young trainees at Deepcut barracks, Surrey resulting in the publication of the Deepcut Review in April 2007. He specialised in public law, criminal justice, human rights, immigration and asylum and private international law. He has written and spoken in the UK and internationally on these topics.

Kate Boakes

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.

Jack Boswell

Jack accepts instructions in all of Matrix’s practice areas, with particular emphasis on public law, human rights, crime, extradition, and immigration. Jack is regularly instructed to advise and represent defendants in criminal and extradition proceedings in the magistrates’ courts, the Crown Court and the High Court.

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 USD LIBOR and Interchange as well as the collective actions in Roberts v Severn Trent Water and others and Wolfson v Microsoft. Regulatory cases include R (Wales and West Utilities) v CMA (judicial review of RIIO-2 energy price control appeals determination), the RIIO-3 appeals and Singapore Airlines v Commission (appeal against air freight cartel decision).

Joanna Buckley

Joanna has a leading practice spanning international, criminal, public, and civil law, specialising in the crossovers between those fields. She is ranked in the directories across multiple disciplines, demonstrating the breadth of her practice and expertise. Joanna has extensive experience before both domestic and international tribunals, including the domestic courts at all levels (in both civil and criminal law) as well as regional and international fora including the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, the European Court of Human Rights, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and UN treaty bodies. Joanna has been shortlisted as International Pro Bono Barrister of the Year, and twice as International Law Junior of the Year.

Michelle Butler

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

Chris Buttler

Administrative law; local government, planning and environmental law.

Carter Chim

Carter Chim, a leading authority in Hong Kong Competition Law, is recognised as a Tier 1 Leading Junior by The Legal 500 (Legalease) since its Hong Kong Bar rankings inception in 2021. Carter’s expertise is backed by an illustrious educational background, having read Competition Law at King’s College London, courtesy of the British Chevening Postgraduate Scholarship. He graduated with distinction in 2011. From 2015 to 2016, he served as Legal Counsel to the Competition Commission in Hong Kong, during which he further deepened his knowledge in the field, earning a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics for Competition Law from King’s College London. His tenure was marked by his appointment as the first case manager for the Competition Commission, leading its first public enforcement action in Competition Commission v Nutanix Hong Kong Ltd v Others (CTEA 1/2017). In 2016, Carter resumed his practice at Denis Chang’s Chambers, focusing on competition matters. He has represented a broad spectrum of clients, including respondents in high-profile cases such as Competition Commission v W Hing Construction Co Ltd and Others (CTEA 2/2017), Competition Commission v TH Lee Book Co Ltd and Others (CTEA 2/2020), Competition Commission v Linde HKO and Others (CTEA 3/2020), and Competition Commission v Multisoft Limited and Others (CTEA 1/2023). Beyond his legal practice, Carter has made significant contributions to academia. He lectured in Competition Law at The Chinese University of Hong Kong between 2016 and 2019, and subsequently held a senior lecturing position at The University of Hong Kong from 2019 to 2024. From 2018 to 2022, he was appointed as a non-governmental advisor to the International Competition Network. As of now, he holds the position of Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association’s Committee on Competition Law. Carter Chim is now set to bring his considerable expertise and wealth of experience to the English Bar, ready to make his mark in the London legal profession.

Christine Chinkin

Specialising in international law and international human rights law.

Andrew Choo

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

Ayesha Christie

Ayesha specialises in public law, human rights, immigration and asylum, trafficking, citizenship deprivation, national security, and international law. She is frequently instructed in high profile policy and wider systemic challenges, and is committed to representing individuals who have been subject to human rights abuses, domestically and abroad. Ayesha worked as an immigration lawyer prior to coming to the Bar, and since then has appeared unled in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Ayesha is described in the directories as an “extremely organised and a very impressive advocate” who “never loses sight of the client and always gets the best outcome for them”. Ayesha has “an eye for detail and her drafting is excellent”, she is “careful, well-judged and authoritative”, “always five steps ahead” and “really great to work with”.

Andrew Clapham

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 Comyn

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.

Kate Cook

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.

Cathryn Costello

Cathryn is a leading scholar of international refugee and migration law, with expertise in public, public international and EU law. She also explores the relationship between migration and labour law in her academic and practical work. She is currently Full Professor of Global Refugee and Migration Law at the Sutherland School of Law, University College Dublin. She was called to the Irish Bar in 2001, and since then has pursued a mainly academic career in Dublin, Oxford and Berlin. Her previous roles include Professor of Fundamental Rights and Co-Director of the Centre for Fundamental Rights at the Hertie School (2020 – 2023) and Andrew W Mellon Professor of International Refugee and Migration Law at the Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford (2013-2023). She was the Principal Investigator of RefMig, a five-year ERC-funded research project exploring refugee mobility, recognition and rights (2018-2023), and now runs the Volkswagen Foundation funded AFAR (Algorithmic Fairness for Asylum Seekers and Refugees) project, exploring the role of automated decision-making in the governance of migration and asylum (2021-2025). She has also undertaken research and advisory work for UNHCR, the Council of Europe and the European Parliament, and provided expert input in litigation on refugee protection globally. She is the author of The Human Rights of Migrants and Refugees in European Law (OUP 2015), and is currently completing a monograph examining refugee recognition practices globally, as well as a short critical introduction to international refugee law. She is the co-editor of the Oxford Handbook of International Refugee Law (OUP 2021) and Migrants at Work: Immigration and Vulnerability in Labour Law (co-editor Mark Freedland) (OUP 2014), a ground-breaking work on the impact of immigration law and status in labour relations. Her most recent collaborative volume was IOM Unbound: Obligations and Accountability of the International Organisation for Migration in an Era of Expansion (co-editors Megan Bradley & Angela Sherwood) (Cambridge University Press, June 2022), examining legal and political accountability of this IO across its diverse areas of activity. She is an experienced and effective public speaker and moderator, and frequently contributes to policy processes and public debates on asylum and migration.

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); Abu Zubaydah v FCDO (Supreme Court appeal concerning applicable law in claims concerning facilitation of torture by CIA); Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan (lead counsel for Bereaved Families who allege their relatives were unlawfully killed by UK Special Forces); Donald Trump v Orbis Business Intelligence Limited (successfully defending data protection claim brought by President Trump).

Lucinda Cunningham

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

Anita Davies

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 Desai

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.

Catherine Dobson

Catherine Dobson has a broad practice spanning public, environmental, regulatory and human rights law. She is particularly recognised for her expertise in complex matters at the intersection of environmental regulation, constitutional and public law, and is regularly instructed in high-profile and technically demanding cases.Catherine has acted in significant judicial reviews and Supreme Court proceedings, including Privacy International v Investigatory Powers Tribunal and R (Miller) v The Prime Minister. She acted for Friends of the Earth in landmark challenges to the Government’s Net Zero Strategy and Carbon Budget Delivery Plan.Her environmental practice encompasses climate change, planning, nuisance, water and nuclear regulation, with particular expertise in the interaction between domestic, European and international environmental law. She also has substantial experience in energy and nuclear regulation and public international law. She is co-author, with Stephen Tromans KC, of the forthcoming edition of Nuclear Law (Hart, 2026).Catherine is currently instructed for the Government in Supreme Court proceedings in Manchester Ship Canal v United Utilities, concerning sewerage discharges under the Water Industry Act 1991. She is sole counsel for the Office for Environmental Protection in two investigations and is increasingly instructed in complex environmental group litigation, including claims concerning pollution of the River Wye and catastrophic flooding in Malawi.Catherine is on the Attorney General’s A Panel of Counsel as well as the panel of specialist Public International Law counsel. She has taught constitutional law at Cambridge University for over 15 years and is a Fellow of St Edmund’s College, Cambridge.

David Erdos

David is Co-Director of the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Law (CIPIL) and Professor of Law and the Open Society in the Faculty of Law and also WYNG Fellow in Law at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge. Before joining Cambridge in October 2013, David spent six years as a research fellow at the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, Faculty of Law and Balliol College, University of Oxford. David’s current research explores the nature of data protection especially as it intersects with the right to privacy, freedom of expression, freedom of information and freedom of research. In addition, David continues to have a research interest in bill of rights and related constitutional developments, especially in the UK and other ‘Westminster’ democracies. David’s consolidated research focuses on the origins and impacts of bills of rights especially in the UK and other Westminster-styled democracies (Australia, Canada, New Zealand). This work resulted in a publication of a single-authored OUP monograph, Delegating Rights Protection, in 2010. David’s academic work has received funding from a range of sources including the British Academy, Council of Europe, Economic and Social Research Council, European Union and Leverhulme Trust.

Catrin Evans KC

Catrin specialises in all aspects of media and information law. She has appeared in many of the leading cases in the fields of defamation, privacy, data protection, breach of confidence, and related human rights. She acts for claimants and defendants; from private individuals to media and non-media corporates including national newspaper groups, broadcasters, global internet companies and public bodies including government. Her expertise segues into related commercial, employment and public law and also encompasses harassment, malicious falsehood, media reporting restrictions, contempt of court, media regulatory work and freedom of information. Notable recent cases in which she has acted include Lawrence & ors v Associated Newspapers (phone hacking claims v Mail), a data privacy group action against the dating app Gindr (settlement of £26m), Lloyd v Google LLC, Wright v McCormack (bitcoin cause celebre case), Harcombe v Associated Newspapers and Hijazi v Yaxley-Lennon.

Toby Fisher

Toby is a specialist in public and international law, with a particular focus on environment and human rights matters.In his public law practice, he acts for and advises individuals, corporates, NGOs, and central and local government in matters involving the environment, planning, immigration, equalities, and human rights. Among other things, he is currently acting for the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero in a challenge to the UK’s legal and administrative framework for mitigating climate change, and is acting for an immigration detainee in a strategic challenge to the Home Office’s system for identifying and safeguarding immigration detainees who lack mental capacity.In his international law practice, he advises and acts for States in international proceedings, recently acting for New Zealand in the ICJ’s climate change advisory opinion proceedings and in the Ukraine v Russia genocide case. He also acts in environment and human rights group claims arising out of the alleged wrongdoing of UK parent companies abroad. In that context, he is currently acting for Madagascan villagers in a claim against Rio Tinto arising out of river pollution near Fort Dauphin, and is acting for Filipino victims of Typhoon Rai in a claim against Shell.Between 2018 and 2022 Toby took time out of practice as Deputy Director, International Law, for the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Emma Foubister

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

Danny Friedman

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.

Conor Gearty

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 KC

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (2002-09): solicitor (2004); solicitor advocate (2009). House of Lords (2007-08): judicial assistant to Lord Bingham and Lord Walker. Called to bar, full exemption from pupillage (2009). Matrix Chambers (2009 – present): member (2009). Visiting lecturer, King’s College London (2009-11). Appointed to Attorney General’s C panel (2012); B panel (2016). Contributor, Bellamy & Child: EU Law of Competition (7th, 8th + 9th edns); UK Competition Law: the New Framework (1st edn).

Tom Gillie

Tom is a leading, expert barrister in equality and employment law, election law, and the law of education. He is a member of both the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s and the Attorney General’s panels of preferred counsel and has been shortlisted as Legal 500’s Junior of the Year. Election law and the law of politics Tom wrote the practitioner text on the law of political parties, Organised Politics, Law and Practice (published by Bloomsbury Academic in 2024), and has acted in all the most high-profile cases in this area. He was the Labour Party’s counsel of choice for the 2024 General Election. He has advised the Electoral Commission, the Liberal Democrats, other political parties and NGOs. Tom acted in all Parliamentary election petitions to arise in the last electoral cycle and regularly advises on Parliamentary and local government standards and ethics. Equality law Tom has acted and advised in the most complex equality law cases from the Supreme Court to the Employment Tribunal. He has significant experience in race discrimination cases and, as well as appearing in the appellate courts, acted in the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s investigation into antisemitism in the Labour Party, and investigations into Islamophobia in local government. Tom has a particular focus in protected belief claims; he has recently acted in noteworthy litigation arising from beliefs about the Israel-Palestine conflict and gender critical beliefs. Tom also has a significant disability law practice and regularly appears in complex, high value litigation concerning reasonable adjustments claims and disability discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. Employment law Tom is ranked as a Leading Junior in employment law by the Legal 500. His practice spans all areas of labour law and industrial relations, including High Court litigation and group actions. In 2025 Tom acted in several large group equal pay claims against local authorities, the Uber group litigation, represented large trade unions in complex litigation about pension and pay entitlements and represented white-collar workers in High Court litigation arising from restrictive covenants and bonuses. He frequently appears in the Employment Appeal Tribunal as well as the employment tribunal. Tom has particular expertise undertaking sensitive investigations into allegations of sexual harassment and whistleblowing, including in respect of CEOs of global companies and high-profile politicians. Education law Tom has a Claimant only education practice representing young people with special educational needs (SEN) and their parents. He has a particular interest in SEN in a military context and has developed the law in this area, including representing the parents in the landmark case of Hampshire County Council v GC [2024] UKUT 128 (AAC) in the Upper Tribunal, which expanded the rights of children with SEN, and is instructed to represent the parents before the Court of Appeal in December 2025. Tom acts in cases in the SEND Tribunal and the Administrative Division of the High Court.

Jonathan Glasson

Jonathan’s practice includes human rights, public law, national security, asylum, data protection and inquests and inquiries. He took Silk in 2013 and he was appointed a Deputy High Court Judge in 2021.Jonathan 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 the surveillance of journalists in Northern Ireland brought by the BBC. He acted for the Tribunal in the 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.Recent public law cases include acting for Sir Chales Haddon-Cave, the Chair of the Independent Investigation relating to Afghanistan, in a judicial review challenge brought against the Inquiry. He was instructed in 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 is regularly instructed in cases before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.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 is currently instructed in the Grooming Gangs Inquiry and was instructed in the Covid Inquiry and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. . He is instructed as Counsel to the Inquest into the death of Paul Massey. Jonathan 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.

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 Greaves

Mark’s practice focuses on Employment and Education law.Mark has acted as sole counsel in the EAT and High Court, and as junior counsel in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Sarah Hannett KC

Practises in all aspects of public law. Recent cases include For Women Scotland, the challenge to VAT on private school fees (ALR), the challenge to protest regulations (National Council for Civil Liberties), the challenge to a prohibition on prayer rituals in school (TTT), the ongoing ECtHR litigation concerning the revocation of same-sex marriage in Bermuda (Ferguson), litigation on non-binary identity (Elan-Cane), and the lawfulness of criminal acts committed by MI5 agents (Privacy International). Particular areas of expertise include human rights, equality law, education, national security, election and regulatory law.

James Hathaway

James C. Hathaway is the Degan Professor of Law Emeritus at the University of Michigan, and the founding Director of the Program in Refugee and Asylum Law at the University of Michigan (1998-2022). He regularly advises and provides training to academic, non-governmental, and official audiences around the world in specialist fields of public international law, including international human rights law, international queer rights, and international refugee law.

Ian Helme

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 is particularly adept in ESG matters, including corporate and senior manager liability for supply chain issues involving overseas criminality and misconduct. 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."

Anthony Hooper

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.

Devika Hovell

Devika Hovell is an Associate Professor in international law at the London School of Economics. She specialises in international criminal law (including universal jurisdiction), international dispute resolution and procedure, Security Council practice and procedure, sanctions and the law relating to the use of force. She has written numerous articles for leading journals, including the European Journal of International Law, the American Journal of International Law, the Modern Law Review, the British Yearbook of International Law and Current Legal Problems. Her book, The Power of Process, was published by Oxford University Press and examines the value of due process in Security Council sanctions decision-making. Devika has a doctorate from the University of Oxford and an LLM from New York University, where she was awarded the George Colin Award for distinction in the LLM programme. Devika is on the Editorial Board of the European Journal of International Law and is one of the four editors of the leading international law blog, EJIL:Talk.

Anthony Hudson

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

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.

Raza Husain KC

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 has expertise in a range of overlapping practice areas and his work focuses especially on employment, discrimination, public law, human rights and other claims against public authorities. He is often instructed in high-profile and legally complex cases which require close familiarity with multiple areas of law.

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 Jaber

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 Jones

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.

Mariyam Kamil

Mariyam joined Matrix as a member in May 2023. She is currently developing a practice in all aspects of media and information law including defamation, privacy/misuse of private information, confidentiality, data protection and harassment. Mariyam has acted in a number of complex and high-profile media law cases, both as sole counsel and as part of a counsel team. For example, she appeared (unled) in the High Court, on behalf of the London School of Economics, where she was successful in getting the claim against her client struck out. She acted (led by Clare Montgomery KC and Anthony Hudson KC) for the Defendant in the well-known Mobile Telephone Voicemail Interception Litigation. She also appeared for Times Media Limited in a return date of the privacy super-injunction, which was granted on the application of the Ministry of Defence to protect the personal information and contact details of persons who applied for relocation to the UK from Afghanistan following the Taliban coup in 2021. Before coming to the bar, Mariyam read for the BCL, MPhil and DPhil degrees at the University of Oxford. Her research, which examines the constitutional right to privacy in India, was cited with approval by the Supreme Court of India in KS Puttaswamy v Union of India AIR 2017 SC 4161. She is the author (with Sara Mansoori KC) of the chapter on ‘Remedies’ in the forthcoming edition of Online Publication Claims: A Practical Guide.

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 Kemp KC

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.

Thomas Kibling

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

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.

Helen Law KC

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

Philip Leach

Philip specialises in international human rights law, both in his capacity as a practising human rights lawyer and as professor of human rights law at Middlesex University. He co-founded and until 2022 was Director of the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC), based at Middlesex University, which mentors and supports human rights lawyers and NGOs in the former Soviet region and which has litigated many ground-breaking cases which have set precedents internationally. He lectures, researches and publishes widely in the field of international human rights law, in the UK and in Europe. Philip qualified as a solicitor in 1991 (Law Society of England and Wales) and is a former Legal Director of Liberty (NCCL) and the Kurdish Human Rights Project. Since 2018, Philip has acted as Co-Supervisor of the Turkey Human Rights Litigation Support Project (based at Middlesex University) whose team of Turkish/Kurdish lawyers provide support and mentoring to human rights lawyers and NGOs in Turkey, and submit third party interventions to UN treaty bodies and the European Court. He is the author of ‘Taking a Case to the European Court of Human Rights’, 4th ed., Oxford University Press, 2017 and co-author (with Professor Alice Donald) of ‘Parliaments and the European Court of Human Rights’ (Oxford University Press, 2016). In 2021 Philip was a member of an expert group involved in drafting a new set of ‘soft law’ international standards: the ‘Nijmegen Principles and Guidelines on Interim Measures’ (urgent orders delivered by international courts). From 2015 to 2020 he was Co-Investigator on the ESRC-funded ‘Human Rights Law Implementation Project’ (Universities of Bristol, Middlesex, Essex and Pretoria and the Open Society Justice Initiative): examining human rights law implementation in nine states across Europe, Africa and the Americas. He has also been commissioned to carry out research for inter-governmental organisations and national bodies, such as the Council of Europe, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (UK). In 2023-2024 he was commissioned (together with Professor Helen Duffy) by the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund (US) to research the impact and role of strategic litigation and prosecutions in ensuring accountability for war and other serious crimes and justice for victims, survivors and affected communities.

Zoë Leventhal KC

Zoë practises in all areas of public law & human rights, and environmental law. She has over 20 years’ experience involving some of the most complex and high profile cases in these areas, ranging from the lawfulness of the Covid-19 restrictions (Dolan v SoS for Health), to the lawfulness of new offshore oil and gas licences (Oceana v SoS for Energy & Net Zero) and to the compatibility of the benefit cap with discrimination law (DA & DS, and SG v SSWP).Zoë acts for a diverse range of clients including individuals, NGOs, corporate entities, and all types of public authorities and regulatory bodies. She is known both for being client-focussed and for her collaborative leadership.She was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2022. Prior to taking Silk, she was a member of the Attorney General’s A panel and on the Equality & Human Rights Commission’s panel.Zoë is ranked as a leading practitioner across all her areas of practice. In 2021, Zoë was nominated as Public Law & Human Rights Junior of the Year at the Chambers Bar Awards.Zoë’s particular areas of expertise include welfare benefits and asylum support, the law of climate and nature, health and social care, equality & human rights law, and education. A full list of her cases is available here.Zoë also sits on the Bar Council’s Climate and Nature panel and the ALBA Executive Committee. In 2024, she was nominated by Legal 500 as Bar Environment & Sustainability Champion.

Ken MacDonald

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 Mathur

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

Zoe practices media, information and public law. Many of her clients are journalists, media organisations, people covered by the press, modern slavery victims, asylum seekers and prisoners. In her commercial practice, Zoe also represents businesses and high net worth individuals.

Gavin Millar

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.

Helen Mountfield

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 Nicholls

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.

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)

Matthew O’Regan

Matthew’s practice focuses on competition law and regulation and subsidy control. He has a broad practice, covering all aspects of competition law, including disputes and litigation, investigations by the Competition and Markets Authority and other regulators and wide range of advisory matters. He acts for a wide range of clients in both the public and private sectors, including major UK companies and multinational businesses, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises, government departments and local authorities. He appears, led and unled, regularly before the Competition Appeal Tribunal and has also appeared before the High Court and the County Court, and has also advised in arbitration proceedings. As a solicitor, he appeared in several competition and state aid cases before the EU General Court and the Court of Justice, in Luxembourg. Prior to joining Matrix in May 2024, he practised from a leading set of Chambers in Bristol. Before being called to the Bar in 2015, Matthew practised as a solicitor with leading firms in London, Brussels (where he worked for over a decade in a leading international law firm) and Bristol (where he was a partner in a leading national firm). Matthew is a member of the Bar of England and Wales. He is an editor of Chitty on Contracts and of the Competition Law Journal.

Ifeanyi Odogwu

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’.

Tim Owen KC

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).

Raj Parker

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 Pehar

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.

Suzanne Rab

Professor Suzanne Rab has over two decades of wide experience of EU law, competition law, international trade law and regulatory law. Suzanne’s practice has a particular focus on the interface between innovation, trade and economic regulation. She acts in disputes involving governments, regulators and businesses across the regulated sectors including in the financial services, energy/environmental, healthcare/ pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, TMT and natural resources sectors. Suzanne has complementary experience at the interface between intellectual property rights and competition law, as well as expertise in information rights and data protection. In private practice as a solicitor prior to joining the bar, she has held positions at leading international regulation and trade practices. She has also had roles as partner and head of regulatory practice with a leading US law firm and as director at PricewaterhouseCoopers working within its strategy, economics, and regulatory teams. Suzanne maintains an active academic practice concurrently with her barrister practice. She is a Professor at Brunel University, a law lecturer at Oxford University and a Visiting Professor at Imperial College, London (IPR and competition). Suzanne is an expert panel member of the UK Regulators Network (UKRN), a panel member of the Office for the Internal Market (OIM) and a non-executive board member of the Press Recognition Panel (PRP).

Nicholas Randall

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

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 Robottom

Jim is an experienced senior junior with a multi-disciplinary practice which covers public and human rights law, inquests and inquiries, civil litigation, equality law, criminal law, ESG, and environmental law. He is frequently instructed as a sole, led, and leading senior junior on complex and high profile matters in his areas of expertise. He is equally adept cross examining witnesses in a trial or inquest as he is making submissions on novel and complex points of law. He has appeared in a wide range of proceedings at the highest levels in England and Wales, unled at every level to the Court of Appeal, and led in the Supreme Court. Jim is on the Attorney General’s Panel of Special Advocates.

Matthew Ryder

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.

Katy Sheridan

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 specialises in media and information law (including defamation, misuse of private information, breach of confidence, data protection, harassment, reporting restrictions, production orders and contempt of court), public law and international human rights law. In 2025 he was shortlisted as Technology, Data and Crypto Junior of the Year (in the Legal 500 Bar Awards) and as Media, Privacy and Information Law Junior of the Year (in the Chambers & Partners UK Bar Awards). Notable cases include: Shehabi v Kingdom of Bahrain (Supreme Court appeal on state immunity in relation to alleged hacking), Ahmadi v Guardian News and Media (strike-out of defamation claim), Duke of Sussex v News Group Newspapers (breach of confidence / misuse of private information claim for alleged unlawful information-gathering), R (LXP) v Central Criminal Court (judicial review claim relating to a warrant against a journalist), Mobile Telephone Voicemail Interception Litigation (numerous claims relating to alleged hacking), Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority v Azima (multi-party litigation relating to commercial dispute), Al-Masarir v Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (state immunity in relation to alleged hacking), Chishti v Telegraph Media Group (libel claim), Wright v McCormack (libel trial and subsequent Court of Appeal decision on damages), Mueen–Uddin v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Supreme Court appeal on abuse of process in defamation claims), Eurasian Natural Resources Corp Ltd v Qajygeldin (breach of confidence claim brought against the former Prime Minister of Kazhakhstan), Banks v Cadwalladr (defamation proceedings), Elphicke v Times Newspapers (libel claim brought by a former MP), Bindel v PinkNews Media Group (libel claim), Oliver v Shaikh (harassment proceedings brought by a Circuit Judge); Channel 4 v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis (costs in production order proceedings under the Terrorism Act 2000); Stunt v Associated Newspapers (Court of Appeal decision on the journalistic exemption under the Data Protection Act 1998); Construction Industry Vetting Information Litigation (group litigation against several major construction companies for data protection breaches and other wrongs); In re BBC (Court of Appeal decision on reporting restrictions in criminal proceedings); Buzzfeed v Gubarev (appeal of order for oral examination for use in defamation proceedings in Florida); Brevan Howard Asset Management v Reuters (breach of confidence claim); Miller v Associated Newspapers (Supreme Court appeal on the recovery of additional costs in libel and privacy claims); Hourani v Thomson (trial of defamation and harassment claims); In re Times Newspapers (appeal against an order for an in camera hearing and reporting restrictions in a criminal trial); PJS v News Group Newspapers (appeal of an application to discharge an interim injunction on basis that relevant information had entered the public domain); In re Guardian News and Media (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 (stop and search procedure held incompatible with Article 10 in relation to journalistic material); Yeo v Times Newspapers Limited (libel trial), Smith v Ministry of Defence (Supreme Court appeal on duty of care in respect of injury and death suffered in combat)

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 Skinner

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 Supreme Court of Ireland, the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. He has led in 30 hearings before the Supreme Court. Hugh has also litigated in a range of jurisdictions including Ireland (North and South), 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, privacy 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. Recent key cases included: RE JR123 [2025] AC 1256, N3 [2025] AC 1473 and Re McAleenon [2025] AC 1362.

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

James has a broad practice encompassing extradition, crime, public and administrative law, human rights, immigration, actions against the police, and international criminal and public law. He is recognised as a leading junior in both extradition and public law. James acts for individuals, Governments, claimants and respondents. He brings that extensive and varied experience to bear on each case in which he is instructed. He is noted for his formidable advocacy and his ability to quickly grasp and develop technical points of law.

Robbie Stern

Robbie practises in public law and human rights, criminal law, inquests and inquiries and media & information law. Much of his work across these areas focuses on extradition and cross-border crime, human trafficking, protest, data rights and policing.

Mark Summers KC

Practice Areas Specialist in extradition, mutual legal assistance, and international criminal law. Regularly instructed to advise and appear on behalf of individuals and foreign governments in proceedings in the United Kingdom and abroad. Prior Chair of the Extradition Lawyers’ Association. Caseload has included ● Julian Assange ● USA v Mike Lynch (sale of Autonomy to Hewlett Packard) ● India v Vijay Mallya (collapse of Kingfisher Airlines) ● USA v Sarao (2010 “flash crash) ● USA v Pearse (Mozambique “tuna bond” fraud) ● collapse of Enron (the “NatWest 3”) ● attempted Regicide ● Madrid train bombings ● murder of Theo van Gogh ● hacking into the Pentagon and Pearl Harbour and NASA computer networks. Mark’s domestic criminal practice focuses on anti-terrorism, national security, and cases concerning complex cross-border and jurisdictional issues. Recent caseload has included ● Russian spy ring ● Elgizouli ● Anjem Choudary ● 1982 Hyde Park IRA bombing. Publications Co-author: "The Law of Extradition and Mutual Assistance" (OUP, 4th ed., 2025), “Abuse of Process in Criminal Proceedings” (Bloomsbury, 4th. ed., 2014); “Human Rights and Criminal Justice” (Sweet & Maxwell, 3rd ed., 2012).

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.

Rhodri Thompson KC

Barrister specialising in competition law, public law and EU law; he has been involved in a series of major collective damages actions, including Handsets (EE, O2, Three, Vodafone), Airwave, Trucks (UKTC and Paccar), Interchange; major public law cases include Airwave; WWU v CMA; Gina Miller v DEXEU and 2019 Rail Franchises.

Hugh Tomlinson

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).

Takis Tridimas

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

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).

Hayley Webster

Hayley joined matrix in 2024 following the successful completion of her traineeship. She accepts instructions in all of Matrix’s practice areas, with a particular emphasis on media law, employment law, and human rights. As a trainee, Hayley was supervised by Sara Mansoori KC, Ian Helme, Edward Kemp KC, Vedrana Pehar, and Paul Skinner.

Antony White

Antony White KC is one of the top media law silks in London specialising in privacy and data protection, with particular experience and expertise in online publication cases. In the last two decades he has advised and appeared in many of the leading cases in this area from Naomi Campbell to Lloyd v Google and ZXC v Bloomberg, and has recently acted for Associated Newspapers Ltd in its successful defence of high profile unlawful information gathering claims brought by Prince Harry and others. His tech company clients include Google, Meta, and Bloomberg, and his traditional media clients include most of the major newspaper publishers and broadcasters. He also has a solid international commercial practice in international commercial arbitration and commercial litigation, particularly in cases involving foreign governments and state entities.

Richard Whittam KC

Richard is a specialist regulatory and criminal practitioner with extensive experience in the most complex and high-profile criminal cases. He is consistently recognised as one of the leading criminal advocates in the UK, receiving both the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 Crime Silk of the Year awards and is ranked in four practice areas; Business and Regulatory Crime (including Global Investigations), Fraud, Crime, and Inquests and Inquiries. He is renowned for his strategic and tactical guidance and his ability to master complex legal and factual issues. Recently, Richard led the team of experienced counsel, instructed by Morrison and Foerster, representing Fujitsu in the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry. In addition, instructed by Arnold and Porter, he successfully represented an individual who was investigated by the SFO in its investigation into Glencore. Richard has significant experience in Deferred Prosecution Agreements. He was instructed to lead a team of experienced junior counsel over a 3-year period to achieve the Deferred Prosecution Agreement against Rolls Royce plc. At the time it was the largest single investigation carried out by the SFO. He was instructed by third parties in relation to the Deferred Prosecution Agreements against G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Ltd and Serco Geografix Ltd. He has been instructed to defend in allegations of insider dealing and ‘Phoenix Company’ allegations. In addition to his defence work, Richard is instructed privately to prosecute serious allegations of fraud. Having been First Senior Treasury Counsel (Crime) Richard has a wealth of experience in national security matters and has advised on, and acted in, cases where there have been a SOCPA agreements. Richard has extensive experience in Sports Law. He is the RFU’s Independent Head of Judiciary. He is also a member of the World Rugby and European Professional Club Rugby judicial panels. In September 2024, Richard was appointed as the first independent Chair of the Cricket Discipline Panel. He also is a Legal Arbitrator for Sport Resolutions. He was a Deputy High Court Judge for six years and is a Recorder of the Crown Court. In addition, he is a Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands. Previously he has been described in Legal 500 as, “an imperturbable and urbane advocate." (2025, Fraud: Crime); "Richard is calm under pressure and provides strategic advice in the trickiest of situations." (Legal 500, 2025, Business and Regulatory Crime (including Global Investigations).

Aidan Wills

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.

Clare Wisson

Clare practises in all aspects of media and information law, acting for both claimants and defendants. She is ranked for Defamation/Privacy by Chambers & Partners (‘Up & Coming’, 2025) and by Legal 500 (‘Rising Star’, 2025). Clare’s clients include national newspapers and broadcasters, leading publishing houses, NGOs, charities, private companies and individuals. She has appeared in the Court of Appeal (led), High Court (led and unled), County Court, Crown Court, First-Tier Tribunal and Coroner’s Court. Clare has experience of libel and harassment trials, complex interlocutory hearings, and urgent injunction applications. She has challenged ICO decision notices and reporting restriction orders on behalf of national media organisations. Clare has significant experience of providing pre-publication legal and regulatory advice to both print and broadcast media, having been seconded to Channel 5 and worked as a regular duty lawyer at The BBC, The Times, The Sun, The Guardian and Jewish News. Clare is a member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s preferred panel of counsel. In appropriate cases, Clare can be instructed under the Bar’s Direct Access Scheme.

David Wolfe KC

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.