MATRIX CHAMBERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Projects and Equality and Inclusion Manager
Alice is responsible for managing the various projects Matrix carries out as part of reaching our organisational goals. She has managed projects relating to human resources, practice management and governance, as well as to Matrix's offices in Geneva and Brussels.
As Equality & Inclusion Manager, Alice is responsible for developing and implementing our Equality & Inclusion agenda, which aims to make Matrix a welcoming and inclusive place for all, and to keep Matrix at the forefront of Equality & Inclusion issues at the Bar.
Alice has been at Matrix since 2016 and is a PRINCE2 and AgilePM qualified practitioner. Alice also chairs our Wellbeing Committee and is one of our Mental Health First Aiders.
Alison Scanes is one of our Senior Practice Managers, she joined Matrix in 2015 and has been working in barristers' chambers since 1992. She assists with the management of our practice staff and manages the members who work in employment, media and information, sports, and discrimination and equality law. Alison's role incorporates the management, administration, business development and strategic direction of the team, she is a regular attendee at national and international industry conferences and events.
Alison lives in Suffolk and in her spare time enjoys socialising with her family and friends and is a keen traveller to warmer climates.
Camara is the Marketing Executive. She manages the social media channels and assists the Marketing Manager in implementing Matrix's marketing strategy. In her spare time, she enjoys making artwork and dancing.
Carla has been clerking since 1997 and joined Matrix in 2000.
Following 19 years on the Practice Desk at Matrix and many years as a Practice Manager, Carla has now taken up the role of Fees Manager in the Fees and Finance Team.
Carla works closely with Head of Finance and the Practice Teams to ensure the smooth running of the Fees Team in all aspects of billing and credit control. Carla has particular knowledge in private remuneration, fixed fee agreements and all aspects of Conditional Fee Agreements. Carla is dedicated to providing a professional and seamless service at Matrix.
Carla is married with 3 sons and spends most of her spare time watching them play football
Chloe is the Head of Operations and is responsible for the effective and efficient management of the teams dedicated to Facilities, Fees, Finance, IT and payroll.
Chris joined Matrix in 2016 having worked in barristers' chambers since 1997. He assists our Senior Practice Managers, ensuring the smooth running of our diverse team. His role includes diary management and fee negotiations, practice development and client relations. Chris also plays a pivotal role in the strategic business development of Matrix and its members.
Chris is noted as being ‘an exceptional clerk' (Legal 500) who is ‘friendly, helpful and responsive' (Legal 500), ‘really good at keeping on top of things' (Chambers & Partners) and ‘very knowledgeable on the details of individual cases which installs instructing solicitors with the confidence he has the ability to match counsel to suitable cases' (Legal 500). ‘Matrix keeps up a very good standard of clerking, particularly Chris Beard, who is responsive and helpful' (Chambers & Partners) and is ‘excellent and works as equally hard as Counsel to progress a client's matter with Counsel's availability' (Legal 500). More broadly, ‘the clerks, particularly Chris Beard, are extremely responsive and supportive. Nothing is too much trouble' (Chambers & Partners) - Chris has ‘always been excellent at getting back to me and problem solving, I am very happy with the service' (Chambers & Partners).
Away from Matrix, Chris spends most of his time with family and friends but otherwise tries to keep himself fit and has twice completed the London Marathon, raising over £7,500 for charity.
Chris Smith joined Matrix in July 2022. Previously he worked at 11KBW and Erskine Chambers. Chris works alongside Alison Scanes, Chris Beard, Nina Russell and George Newman managing all the practices of Team M members. This includes day-to-day diary management and the business development and management.
According to Legal 500, Chris ‘provides excellent service and is a safe pair of hands' and is ‘helpful and professional'.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist
- Billing Co - Ordinator
As part of the front of house service, Christine prepares facilities for client conferences, and also assists with events.
Christine joined Matrix in 2023 as a receptionist. She worked as a legal assistant in a Vancouver civil litigation firm. She has now taken up a part-time role as a billing coordinator. She enjoys singing and playing guitar.
Job Titles:
- Head of the Legal Support Service
- Legal Support and Compliance Manager
Dan is the Head of the Legal Support Service and is the lead for handling compliance matters. He started at Matrix in October 2020 after working as a project manager at a digital agency. Before that he spent over a decade conducting legal research and implementing knowledge management practices in a variety of Magic Circle and international law firms.
He is a keen long-distance cyclist.
Eleanor is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. In order to provide legal services to her clients, including advice and representation services, Eleanor needs to collect and hold personal data. This includes her clients' personal data and the personal data of others who feature in the matters in respect of which she is instructed. To read Eleanor's privacy notice in full, please see here.
Eleanor joined Matrix in 2016. Her practice focuses on public law, human rights and equality law.
She regularly provides advice and representation across areas including immigration (specialising in judicial review and appellate work); education (including judicial review and appeals relating to all aspects of Education Health and Care Plans); equality and discrimination (under both the ECHR and the Equality Act); community care; and prison law.
Eleanor has been instructed in matters at all levels up to the Supreme Court, and appears regularly in the Court of Appeal, the High Court and the Tribunals. She is regularly involved in cutting-edge claims with wider public importance.
Eleanor also has specialist knowledge and experience of international human rights and humanitarian law. She advises non-government organisations on legal aspects of their advocacy and policy work, assists with strategic litigation and interventions, and has been involved in applications and interventions before the European Court of Human Rights and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
Eleanor's recent work includes:
An intervention on behalf of Justice in the Court of Appeal in the significant case of R (IAB) v SSHD [2024] EWCA Civ 66, concerning the routine redaction of the names of junior civil servants (led by Guy Vassall-Adams KC).
R (FMA) v SSHD [2023] EWHC 1579 (Admin) - a challenge to the Secretary of State's refusal of entry clearance to a former patrol interpreter under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Programme (led by Chris Buttler KC). Raised important issues regarding the interpretation of the "conducive to the public good" test. Permission to appeal was granted; the appeal was withdrawn by consent when the Secretary of State agreed to grant the Appellant and his family visas.
A Joint Opinion, commissioned by Freedom from Torture, on the compliance of the Illegal Migration Bill with the UK's international legal obligations (led by Raza Husain KC and Jason Pobjoy).
R (All the Citizens) v Supply Chain Coordination Ltd - an innovative challenge to the award of a framework agreement to a particular supplier of medical gloves to the NHS, on the basis of failure to verify the responses to tender criteria relating to labour standards and modern slavery (led by Jason Coppel KC). Settled when the Defendant agreed to run a fresh procurement process.
R (SC (Jamaica)) v SSHD [2022] 1 WLR 3190 - a successful appeal to the Supreme Court against the Appellant's deportation (led by Raza Husain KC and Simon Cox). Raised important issues regarding the internal relocation alternative in the context of Article 3 ECHR.
R (PCSU) v SSHD [2022] EWCA Civ 840 - interim relief proceedings in the long-running Rwanda litigation.
R (Vanriel) and R (Tumi) v SSHD [2021] EWHC 3415 (Admin) - a successful Thlimmenos challenge to the Secretary of State's refusal of citizenship to members of the Windrush generation who were unable to satisfy the relevant requirements due to past failures by the State (led by Chris Buttler KC). Raised important issues regarding the availability of declarations of incompatibility in individual cases.
Eleanor provides advice and representation in a wide range of immigration-related matters, and is regularly instructed in legally complex cases at the cutting edge of domestic and international law.
Eleanor provides advice and representation in relation to discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 and Article 14 ECHR, and compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty, across a range of contexts including primary and higher education, immigration and education policy, service provision, and provision in the prison estate.
Eleanor has been instructed, on both a led and an unled basis, by individuals and families, non-government organisations, Higher Education Institutions, statutory bodies, and government departments.
Eleanor is the author, with Aidan Wills, of the publication Restrictions on Open Justice: A guide for public law practitioners. This first-of-its-kind guide is as an accessible and user-friendly practical resource, tailored to the public law context. It covers the types of restrictions that can be sought; the practicalities of making these applications; and the rules and principles courts will apply in determining them.
Elizabeth Bousher is one of our Senior Practice Managers. Liz assists with the management of our practice staff and the barristers in Team X. She is responsible for managing the practices of members who specialise in commercial, EU and competition law, public, immigration, education, health and mental capacity, community care, human rights and environmental law. Liz's role incorporates the administration, business development and strategic direction of the team.
She gained a Geography degree from Exeter University in 2008 and has previously worked as a member of the practice team at Hardwicke. Away from Matrix, Liz is a keen traveller and enjoys scuba diving when the water is warm enough.
Eric started at Matrix in September 2007, prior to that he worked at Doughty Street Chambers as the Aged Debt Manager. He loves watching and playing football.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Practice Manager
George joined Matrix in August 2023. He assists Alison Scanes, Chris Beard, Chris Smith and Nina Russell with the day-to-day management of counsels' diaries and the development of Team M barristers' practices.
Outside of Matrix, George regularly goes to the gym, plays football and enjoys socialising with friends and family.
James joined Matrix in 2021 as a Receptionist. In 2023 he moved to the Fees team as a Billing Co-Ordinator.
In his spare time he enjoys music and the arts.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Practice Manager
James joined Matrix in January 2023 having previously worked at Atkin Chambers. James assists Elizabeth, Matt, Sarah and Simon with the day-to-day management of counsel's diaries and the development of Team X barristers' practice.
James was nominated for the 2023 Legal 500 Junior Clerk of the Year award.
James read Law at Bournemouth University. He has completed the IBC Introduction to Business Management, for which he was awarded ‘Student of the Year', and the Bar Council Public Access training course.
Lauren joined Matrix in July 2022.
Prior to joining Matrix, Lauren worked for an environmental company and is now hoping to pursue a career as a fees clerk. In her spare time she enjoys travelling.
Lindsay is primarily responsible for human resources management at Matrix. This includes recruitment responsibilities. Lindsay is your first point of contact for traineeship and application queries. In addition, Lindsay organises members' annual regulatory requirements including BMIF and continuing professional development.
Lindsay has been at Matrix since 2006 and previously worked at the High Court.
Matt re-joined Matrix in June 2017, having worked with us previously from 2006-2014 on Practice Team M.
During his time away from Matrix, Matt worked for a high-profile family. This varied role included managing the practice of a KC specialising in international arbitration - as well as handling business and philanthropic relationships, and extensive travel across Europe, Asia, Africa and the US.
Matt assists the Senior Practice Manager on Team X with the running of the team; his role includes diary and enquiry management, fee negotiations and business development.
Outside of Matrix, Matt spends his time running around after his 4 young children!
As part of the front of house service, Melanie prepares facilities for client conferences, and also assists with events. Melanie joined Matrix Chambers in 2022.
Nandini joined Matrix's Legal Support Service Team in October 2023 after successfully completing her Postgraduate Diploma in Law, prior to which, she studied English Language and Literature at UCL. Before coming to Matrix, Nandini volunteered at a variety of charities in the public law sector. As part of her last volunteering role, she conducted casework for a charity that provides legal assistance to prisoners on death row in America.
She enjoys playing hockey and watching films.
Job Titles:
- Outdoor and Office Assistant
Nick joined Matrix in September 2009 in his first job in the legal profession after completing his A-levels. He lives with his family in Hornchurch in Essex.
Nina joined Matrix in January 2021 having previously worked at Blackstone Chambers.
Nina works alongside Alison Scanes, Chris Beard, Chris Smith and George Newman managing the practices of Team M barristers. This includes distribution of work, managing counsels' diaries, fee negotiation and working on practice development projects.
Outside of Matrix, Nina enjoys travelling and is an avid baker.
Paul manages the barristers in Matrix's criminal and international law teams. With our CEO, our Head of Strategy and Marketing, and Matrix's other Practice Managers, Paul aims to build and maintain excellent working relationships with our clients wherever they are in the world, whether they are law firms, corporations, financial institutions, Governments, regulators or individuals. He is knowledgeable about what Matrix's barristers do, and is especially adept at building the right barrister team to best deal with the complex, multi-disciplinary cases that Matrix excel at. He loves to meet clients to tell them what Matrix can offer.
Reflecting our multi-disciplinary practice, the barristers in Paul's team also have experience in international and commercial arbitration, extradition law, environmental law, regulatory law, public and constitutional law, human rights and civil liberties, police law, and inquiries and inquests.
Paul has worked in barristers' chambers since 1987, and joined Matrix in 2007.
Rachel Holmes is responsible for the overall management of Matrix, including the development of client relationships, marketing strategy, human resources, and ensuring our core values inform how we work as an organisation. She works closely with the practice managers to direct and develop the practices of our barristers and to ensure that a consistently high quality service is provided.
Rachel also has responsibility for the development of individual areas of law. She attends a number of domestic and international business development trips as part of her role, and promotes Matrix at conferences and events.
Rachel is happy to speak to anyone who might have queries about Matrix, our services, our lawyers or the English legal system. She is also your first point of contact for any concerns you may have about the service you have received.
Rachel joined Matrix in 2018. She was previously Director of Marketing at BPP and a Commercial Director at EF Education Ltd. She has worked as a leadership mentor as part of the Manchester Gold scheme at Manchester University and as part of the Women In Leadership scheme, WILpower, at BPP Business School.
Rachel Holmes is our Chief Executive who is responsible for the overall management of Matrix including the development of client relationships, marketing strategy, human resources, and ensuring our core values inform how we work as an organisation.
Rhian joined Matrix in January 2019, having previously managed the commercial law team at Hardwicke Chambers.
Rhian is responsible for the management and development of the practices of Matrix's members specialising in international arbitration, financial crime, extradition and public international law.
She has a degree in Performing Arts and when not at Matrix, enjoys playing the Harp and visiting family in Wales.
Job Titles:
- Outdoor and Office Assistant
Richard joined Matrix in October 2013. Prior to this he had experience in the transport sector, support services and the provision of legal aid.
Job Titles:
- KC Is the Chair of Our Management Committee
Rachel Holmes is our Chief Executive who is responsible for the overall management of Matrix including the development of client relationships, marketing strategy, human resources, and ensuring our core values inform how we work as an organisation.
Job Titles:
- Outdoor and Office Assistant
Robert joined Matrix in October 2009 as an Outdoor and Office Assistant. Robert lives in South East London and is a keen West Ham fan.
Sam assists with managing the practices of members on Team T, including dealing with incoming enquiries and working on practice development projects within the criminal and international law teams. According to Legal 500 (2022) Sam is "among the best in the business - very responsive, which makes it a seamless relationship between firms and chambers." Outside of work, Sam's favourite hobby is to visit new restaurants and she has a particular affiliation with the British Heart Foundation and enjoys volunteering at their events from time to time.
Sarah joined Matrix in January 2022 having previously worked at Keating Chambers. She will be responsible for the management and development of the practices of Matrix's members.
Sarah has a degree in English Language and Linguistics from the University of Kent and in her spare time, enjoys socialising with her family and friends as well as travelling.
According to the directories: she is "very responsive, professional, and friendly, and able to organise and orchestrate with ease."
Simon joined Matrix in 2013 having previously worked at other high-profile chambers and is responsible for the development and management of the practices of Team X members.
In his spare time his family keeps him busy, otherwise he enjoys socialising, travel and DIY.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Practice Manager
Tom joined Matrix from Blackstone Chambers in August 2023, having commenced his clerking career in 2017. He assists Paul, Sam and Rhian with the day-to-day management of counsels' diaries and the development of Team T barristers' practices.
Tom was nominated for the 2023 Legal 500 Junior Clerk of the Year award.
Outside of work, Tom enjoys socialising with friends and family and is an avid sports fan.
Venetia is the Marketing Manager and is primarily involved in implementing Matrix's marketing strategy as well as working closely with the Chief Executive to develop and implement organisational strategy.
Zuwaina joined Matrix in 2015, and until 2021 was the Senior Receptionist. She has now taken up the role of Finance Executive and will assist the Head of Finance with all the day to day accounting procedures.