James Laddie KC
James is equal parts fierce and charming on his feet in court, and behind the scenes he’s in the trenches with the whole team, pulling a Herculean effort. Amongst the array of talented KCs in the field, he’s a stand-out star.’
Providing a wide-ranging employment offer, Matrix Chambers‘ members are in particular demand for cases that involve novel points of law, are of high financial value or of significant public interest. James Laddie KC successfully defended Deutsche Bank in a £4m bonus claim brought by a former banker. Mathew Purchase KC continues to act in the ongoing Tesco equal pay litigation, where around 50,000 claimants (principally women) argue that Tesco has unlawfully paid those working in distribution centres (mainly men) more than those working in stores for doing work of equal value. Since taking silk in March 2025, Edward Kemp KC has acted for the Standard Chartered Bank in a High Court breach of contract which was claimed to be valued at £2.1m, as well as acting in the Tesco equal pay claim.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Alison Scanes is amazing. Her team reflects her kindness and qualities.'
- 'Matrix have a great clerking team.'
- 'Clerks are keen to help and find solutions, particularly if a barrister is not available.'
- 'The clerk team is first class and are always offering solutions to assist their instructing solicitors.'
- 'Matrix is deservedly seen as one of the top London chambers.'
- 'Matrix are a top quality set and excellent to deal with.'
Lawyers
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
2025 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
