Department profile
Matrix Chambers

Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

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Matrix Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

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Crime - London (Bar)

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Matrix Chambers is a major public and commercial law set that has a significant criminal offering and expertise in related extradition cases. Its members have particular experience of handling appellate proceedings and unsurprisingly, are masters of those cases where human rights and criminal law collide. They routinely act in serious cases, including those relating to murder and sexual offences, historic or otherwise, and are often to be seen in major public inquiries and inquests. They also regularly appear before international courts. Recent instructions for the set have included defending in R v Roussev and others, a Russian spy ring case.

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Strengths

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  • The clerks are easy to work with.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

  • Matrix clerks are very good.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

  • Senior practice manager Paul Venables is really good. There are first-rate clerks there.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Clare Montgomery
    Clare Montgomery

    Clare Montgomery

    Clare Montgomery KC is an immensely respected barrister with an international reputation for her work on crime and extradition cases. She regularly handles complex matters, and also appears in public law and due process cases, acting both for and against the government.

    • As mightily impressive as her formidable reputation would suggest.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Mark Summers
    Mark Summers

    Mark Summers

    Mark Summers KC is highly respected by peers for his general crime work as well as his extradition expertise. He frequently takes on pre-arrest and advisory work, in addition to appearing at trial on behalf of both the prosecution and defence.

    • He is a brilliant lawyer. He is steps ahead of everyone else, both on the law and on preparation. He is one of the best advocates at the Bar.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Summers is brilliant and very good.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Mark Summers KC is very impressive.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • He is one of the best oral advocates. He has a tremendous legal mind.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Mark Summers KC is technical and good at what he does.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Richard Whittam
    Richard Whittam

    Richard Whittam

    Former First Senior Treasury Counsel Richard Whittam KC is respected by commentators for his tenacity, work ethic and superior jury advocacy. He is a leading prosecutor who has acted in several significant cases including matters of terrorism and allegations of historic sexual abuse. His experience further includes prosecuting both military cases and fraud matters. Whittam also has particular knowledge of police conduct and inquiry work.

    • Richard Whittam KC is very efficient and effective.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Adrian Waterman
    Adrian Waterman

    Adrian Waterman

    • He is super bright and gives great advice.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • He is very thorough and hard-working.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • He has encyclopaedic knowledge and takes the points so well. He is articulate and has the right presence and voice.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Adrian Waterman KC is the brightest spark. On matters of the law, he is fabulous.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Adrian is a phenomenally intelligent barrister who is a brilliant advocate before juries.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Alex Bailin
    Alex Bailin

    Alex Bailin

    • For crime, Alex Bailing KC is outstanding and great on cases regarding media, publicity and sensitivity.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Danny Friedman
    Danny Friedman

    Danny Friedman

    • Friedman is incredibly bright, very charming and a very safe pair of hands.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • He is a wonderful KC. He can get very deep into a subject quickly and effectively, and is a great appellate advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh
    Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh

    Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh

    • She is absolutely excellent and in a different league to most other barristers.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC is truly exceptional. Clients adore her. She is highly intelligent and fierce in court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Joanna Buckley
    Joanna Buckley

    Joanna Buckley

    • She looks at every single piece of evidence and analyses it, seeing things others would miss.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • She is able to communicate understandable advice. Her drafting is fantastic.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Joanna Buckley is fantastic. Her black-letter legal knowledge is great.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Matthew Ryder
    Matthew Ryder

    Matthew Ryder

    • He is a bright guy and a good advocate. He has talent and is committed.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Danielle Manson
    Danielle Manson

    Danielle Manson

    • Manson goes above and beyond for her clients. Clients absolutely love her. She is so fierce, protective, calm and measured.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Danielle Manson is in it to get the absolute best results. When it comes to children, she is the most sophisticated. She is excellent.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Helen Law
    Helen Law

    Helen Law

    • Helen is very good on the law.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Matrix Chambers (11)

London (Bar)

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