‘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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Specialist in criminal, regulatory and fraud law.
Career
For the past 20 years Clare has specialised in dealing with the most demanding and difficult legal cases. She has featured in the starred category of QC’s recommended for crime and fraud for the whole of that period. Formerly a member of the Attorney General’s Panel, Clare has also been concerned in a wide range of public law and due process cases both for and against the Government. Clare was named Crime Silk of the Year in 2013 in the inaugural Legal 500 awards and was Crime Silk of the Year in the 2005 and 2011 Chambers & Partners Bar Awards; she has also twice been nominated as the Lawyer’s barrister of the year and features as one of the Stars at the Bar in Chambers & Partners Guide for 2016. She is Best Lawyers’ 2017 Fraud “Lawyer of the Year”.
Memberships
CBA; ALBA: Justice.
Education
University College London; Inns of Court School of Law.
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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. '