Matrix Chambers is regarded by many as ‘an excellent human rights and public law set’ with a ‘very bright and talented’ team. The group continues to handle a high volume of claimant work in the space. Jessica Simor KC is ‘a stand-out silk’. The ‘excellent’ Raj Desai is well versed in advising on complex human rights matters. In recent work for the group, Paul Skinner appeared in FL v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, a case heard in the Upper Tribunal concerning a disability benefits claimant's move from legacy benefits to Universal Credit - the tribunal ruled that the failure to provide the claimant with transitional protection for the loss of an enhanced disability premium following the move to Universal Credit was unlawful.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Liz Boucher is an incredible clerk. She is quick to respond, understands the requirements of solicitors and the cases, and is a pleasure to deal with.'
- 'Paul Venables is very charming, and goes out of his way to assist.'
- 'The clerks are efficient and helpful.'
- 'Matrix's practice team is second to none.'
- 'The clerks are very responsive. Their legal knowledge is great and they do an excellent job of recommending the most appropriate barrister for any given case.'
- 'The clerks are extremely helpful and easy to work with.'
- 'Matrix is brilliant.'
- 'Matrix are top of the class when it comes to public and administrative law, especially for claimant work.'
Silks
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.
David Wolfe KC
Matrix Chambers 'David has an excellent understanding of human rights law, and his advocacy is very methodical and thorough. He is very compelling on his feet.'
Sarah Hannett KC
Matrix Chambers 'Sarah is tenacious and very astute when it comes to strategy and tactics.'
Daniel Squires KC
Matrix Chambers ‘Daniel is an extremely impressive advocate, who argues extremely complex legal cases with ease.’
Tim Owen KC
Matrix Chambers 'He is an expert cross-examiner and instinctively gets to the heart of a case.'
Hugh Southey KC
Matrix Chambers 'Hugh is a wonderful barrister, who is never less than 100% committed to his clients.'
Christopher Buttler KC
Matrix Chambers 'Having him involved in any case makes the work an absolute breeze.'
Zoë Leventhal KC
Matrix Chambers 'A powerful court advocate who expertly argues her case. Her calm but piercing advocacy is extremely effective and she is excellent at getting judges on side.'
Danny Friedman KC
Matrix Chambers 'He can spot difficult public law issues and think through knotty legal matters.'
2023 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.
Nick Armstrong KC
Matrix Chambers 'He has an uncanny ability to memorise the most minor details in the most complex cases. He remains calm even when up against aggressive opponents, and judges are very receptive to his delivery.'
Claire Darwin KC
Matrix Chambers 'Claire's written and oral advocacy is exemplary. She has the ear of the court.'
Juniors
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.
Helen Law
Matrix Chambers 'Helen has a huge brain. She is extremely responsive to her solicitors and can turn her hand to anything. Her advocacy is wonderful.'
Raj Desai
Matrix Chambers 'Raj is incredibly intelligent, insightful, tactical and forward-thinking.'
Emma Foubister
Matrix Chambers 'Emma is a superb advocate, and she is able to explain difficult points of law easily to clients.'
James Stansfeld
Matrix Chambers 'A very powerful advocate who always retains the confidence of the court.'
Darryl Hutcheon
Matrix Chambers 'He has an exceptional eye for detail and makes even the most complex cases seem simple. His written work is extraordinary - clear, concise, and compelling.'
James Robottom
Matrix Chambers 'He is always on hand to give clear and realistic advice throughout the life of a case. He goes the extra mile for his clients.'
Jessica Jones
Matrix Chambers 'Jessica is impressive in every way - she is bright, empathetic and efficient. Her drafting and advocacy are superb.'
Ayesha Christie
Matrix Chambers 'Ayesha has a unique ability to look at a case holistically and make creative legal arguments, including policy challenges, without ever losing sight of what matters the most to the client.'
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.
