Matrix Chambers‘ ’employment offering is excellent, and the calibre of counsel is high‘. The group continues to handle complex, high-profile equal pay claims and a broad range of discrimination matters, and the set reports an uptick in instructions involving sensitive investigations. James Laddie KC is ’a market leader when it comes to whistleblowing claims‘. Mathew Purchase KC is acting for Tesco in a long-running, mass equal pay case involving over 20,000 claimants, and Laura Prince KC’s track record includes appearing before courts at all levels, including the Court of Appeal, in unfair and wrongful dismissal claims, TUPE matters, and discrimination cases. Among the junior end of chambers, Edward Kemp acted for the respondents in a discrimination claim brought by a claimant who entered into the Discernment of Vocations process within the Church of England; the Employment Tribunal ruled that a bishop is not an “employment service provider” under the Equality Act 2010.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Alison Scanes and Chris Smith are very helpful and responsive.'
- 'Alison Scanes is excellent. Responsive and straightforward.'
- 'Chris Beard is responsive and very helpful.'
- 'The clerks are amazing.'
- 'The entire team is unfailingly helpful, quick to respond, and proactive.'
- 'The clerks are fantastic - they offer a first class service, and are very responsive and flexible.'
- 'Matrix has a very strong employment offering at all levels.'
- 'A first class set.'
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.
James Laddie KC
Matrix Chambers 'He is a class act and never misses a point. He is robust in the advice he gives and above all, he is very effective. Clients love him.'
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.
Claire Darwin KC
Matrix Chambers 'Claire has a real ability to get her head around very complex factual and legal issues quickly, and work out what matters and what does not matter. She takes controls of hearings in a firm but constructive way, with crisp advocacy.'
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.
Thomas Kibling
Matrix Chambers 'He is practical, commercially very astute, robust when needed, and not afraid of a challenge. He is focussed, sees the wood despite the trees, and very responsive.'
Edward Kemp
Matrix Chambers 'Edward is highly intelligent, dedicated, and tenacious. He judges his tribunal well and adjusts his advocacy accordingly. Good with clients.'
Tom Gillie
Matrix Chambers 'Tom is an excellent advocate. He has a clear, punchy style, is never fazed and can deliver hard advice with grace. He has the ear of the court. A silk in the making.'
Nathan Roberts
Matrix Chambers 'He is fiercely bright, incredibly hard working, meticulous, strategic and fights to win. Clients love him.'
Paul Skinner
Matrix Chambers
Mark Greaves
Matrix ChambersRising 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.
Roisin Swords-Kieley
Matrix Chambers 'An extremely talented junior. Her powers of persuasion are second to none, and she remains serene under pressure.'