‘A chambers of consistently high calibre’, Matrix Chambers fields experience in criminal matters at all levels, and is exposed to highly consequential protest law trials, alongside novel and complex murders, injuries and sexual offence matters. Clare Montgomery KC has represented alleged drug kingpins in Encrochat cases, while . Mark Summers KC’s portfolio of cases include sexual offences, terrorism and espionage cases - he and Helen Law represented a man who entered a guilty plea to an offence under the Official Secrets Act 1911 concerning a plot to assassinate a journalist for the Russian state. Danielle Manson is praised for ‘ability to engage with the client in a way that she understands and communicate complex legal issues to her ’, and plays a pivotal role in the set for serious youth offences. The set has a track record of cases involving offences in the context of political activity, with Danny Friedman KC one of several members representing appellants against sentence in Hallam & Others v R, a Court of Appeal case concerning various politically motivated offences in connection with Just Stop Oil - Friedman KC represented appellants who were convicted of a conspiracy to block the M25, while Rosalind Comyn represented a woman who threw soup on Vincent van Gough's Sunflowers.
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Profile
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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).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Matrix is an incredibly experienced set for constitutional, public and international law. They manage to combine intellectual heft and sector-based knowledge with approachable and communicative barristers. '
- 'A chambers of consistently high calibre, known for the excellence of its advocates and the strength of its legal expertise across the board. It maintains a reputation for professionalism, intellectual rigour, and a collaborative approach, all of which are clearly reflected in the barristers it produces. The clerking team is responsive and efficient, making the overall experience of instructing from this set seamless and consistently impressive.'
- 'Smart, commercial, responsive, easy to work with.'
- 'Matrix is a very good set of chambers with talented barristers. '
- 'Efficient and helpful.'
- 'The clerks are always responsive and helpful with any queries or problems that arise. '