Department profile
Matrix Chambers

Immigration

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Matrix Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Immigration - London (Bar)

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Matrix Chambers is a leading set with significant experience in immigration matters at all levels, from sensitive and high-profile national security SIAC proceedings to Supreme Court appeals on the Home Office's approach to victims of trafficking. Other areas of strength include unlawful detention claims and removals. The set has been described as "among the best at working on complex matters". The majority of the barristers' work in this area is for claimants. Recently, members led the representation of the claimants in AAA v SSHD, a judicial review claim concerning the Home Secretary's plan to remove failed asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Alison Scanes is senior practice manager.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks are quick at responding and very helpful.

    Immigration respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are consistently excellent.

    Immigration respondentUK Bar
  • They have one of the friendliest clerking teams in the industry. You know you are always getting someone good with Matrix.

    Immigration respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsRaza Husain
    Star IndividualsRaza Husain

    Raza Husain

    Raza Husain KC is a world-class public law practitioner held in the highest esteem by peers and clients alike. He is particularly renowned for his adroit handling of human rights and asylum cases. As a regular feature in the Supreme Court, his caseload includes complex work for refugees and victims of trafficking.

    • He is exceptional in court; his advocacy is next level.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • Raza has incredible knowledge of refugee law and offers insightful strategic advice.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • Raza is the superstar, the standout in this space. His advocacy in the Supreme Court was the best oral advocacy I have ever seen.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Chris Buttler
    Band 1Chris Buttler

    Chris Buttler

    Chris Buttler KC is an established public law and immigration barrister noted for his work in detention and removal cases. He is also praised for his handling of asylum claims involving victims of trafficking. He regularly acts on behalf of individuals in the Court of Appeal.

    • Chris gets a very crisp legal argument across to the court very effectively.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • He is a brilliant legal mind.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • He is an absolute star and a go-to silk!

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Hugh Southey
    Band 1Hugh Southey

    Hugh Southey

    Hugh Southey KC is exceedingly popular among top-flight solicitors and specialises in immigration, human rights and asylum matters. His main areas of focus include nationality law and unlawful detention claims, and particularly immigration matters involving the application of EU law. His immigration practice is complemented by his broader prison law expertise.

    • He is very clever and creative, never gives up for his clients and has a nice manner with the court.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • Hugh encompasses a wider field which involves criminal work such as things like extradition, thus offering broad expertise.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • Hugh is well versed in the law and and well prepared for advocacy.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Nicholas Armstrong
    Band 2Nicholas Armstrong

    Nicholas Armstrong

    Nicholas Armstrong KC has a wide-ranging immigration practice that routinely sees him appearing in high-profile detention cases before the higher courts. He demonstrates further skill in cases involving human rights or public law challenges to deportation and removal.

    • He is just a brilliant advocate who can persuade judges and put across so much information. And, at the same time, he can humanise clients - he's one of the best.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • Nick is the best in terms of his pragmatic approach to matters.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • Nick is a dedicated immigration practitioner. He does the most important cases on immigration detention and he's got a good, strategic approach to systemic issues.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Samantha Knights
    Band 2Samantha Knights

    Samantha Knights

    Samantha Knights KC is an experienced public and private law silk offering considerable expertise across fields including trafficking, unlawful detention and national security-related immigration matters.

    • She is strong across Afghan-based work.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • She knows the space so well and is so articulate.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Ayesha Christie
    Band 3Ayesha Christie

    Ayesha Christie

    Talented immigration lawyer Ayesha Christie boasts a wide offering of knowledge across the range of immigration, refugee and citizenship deprivation law. She offers particular experience in detention and deportation, mobilising this knowledge in the handling of complex cases involving vulnerable young people and victims of trafficking. Notably, she continues to be involved in the representation of Shamima Begum in her application to the ECtHR, in a complex and novel challenge to her citizenship deprivation.

    • She's so bright and able to deal with complex cases well.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • She is one of the best at trafficking support, unlawful detention and age assessment. She brings really brilliant drafting. She helps set up the process beautifully, all the way to trial.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • Ayesha, as well as being the brightest person in the room, is also the most fearsome. She's always firmly in her client's corner, thinking strategically, presenting brilliant work and succeeding.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Eleanor Mitchell
    Band 3Eleanor Mitchell

    Eleanor Mitchell

    Eleanor Mitchell is a recognised a barrister in the immigration field. She is knowledgeable in areas of human trafficking, refugee law and detention issues. She often handles asylum appeals whether via human rights claims or judicial review, and has experience acting for high net worth individuals in immigration proceedings.

    • Eleanor is razor sharp and meticulous and has extensive knowledge, particularly in an immigration context. She has a eye for detail and adds significant value to any case she is instructed on.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • Eleanor is incredibly bright - she gets the issues quickly and can handle very complex matters. Her advocacy is top-rate, and she is generally a pleasure to work with.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • She is really at the top of her game. She has an amazing mind and she is the go-to for solicitors.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Jonathan Glasson
    Band 3Jonathan Glasson

    Jonathan Glasson

    Jonathan Glasson KC has broad-ranging expertise in immigration law. He has a wealth of experience in matters including extradition, asylum and social security matters. He acts as a special advocate before SIAC and the Parole Board.

    • Jonathan offers very strong client service.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • He is really good.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Paul Skinner
    Band 3Paul Skinner

    Paul Skinner

    Paul Skinner is a senior junior with an extensive practice in immigration law as it relates to asylum, and is trusted by both private practice clients and government. He has presented as sole counsel in key, high-profile matters in the Court of Appeal and Upper Tribunal. Recently, he was involved in a complex test case relating to a claimant's treatment at Manston immigration processing facility.

    • Paul knows all of it, everything. He is very fluid across the space.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • He is really strong, and given that he is able to cover both private clients and government matters, he brings valuable insight.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar
    • He is really good and easy to deal with. He knows his stuff.

      Immigration respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Matrix Chambers (9)

London (Bar)

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