Department profile
Matrix Chambers

Police Law: Mainly Claimant

UK Bar Guide 2026 : All Circuits

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Matrix Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Police Law: Mainly Claimant - All Circuits

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Matrix Chambers is a superb human rights and public law set whose barristers are frequently instructed in a range of actions against the police, including claims pertaining to fatalities, discrimination, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution, and human rights claims in relation to the police's failure to investigate. Members are praised as being "consistently excellent, including their most junior members who handle complex cases with considerable care, thoughtfulness and passion". They have appeared in cases including the Jermaine Baker public inquiry and the Daniel Morgan civil claim. They also act for core participants in the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

Paul Venables is the senior practice manager.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Matrix has very talented people and helpful clerks.

    Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

  • I have instructed Matrix for over 20 years and the service by the clerks is commendable, Paul Venables and Simon Gardner especially.

    Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

  • Matrix's clerking teams are really responsive.

    Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

  • Matrix has very responsive clerks who are helpful. A well-oiled machine.

    Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Phillippa Kaufmann
    Phillippa Kaufmann

    Phillippa Kaufmann

    Phillippa Kaufmann KC is an exceptional civil liberties barrister who can boast considerable experience in claims against the police. She is highlighted for her skills in advocacy and is frequently instructed in high-profile public inquiries and ground-breaking human rights claims in relation to the police's investigatory failures, misconduct, misfeasance and police shootings. Of particular note in recent years is her work on behalf of core participants in the Undercover Policing Inquiry and the Jermaine Baker Inquiry.

    • Phillippa Kaufmann has done loads of police work, including lots of high-profile cases.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Phillippa Kaufmann is amazing.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Phillippa Kaufmann is so amazing.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Phillippa Kaufmann is a star, a complete star.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
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  • Jesse Nicholls
    Jesse Nicholls

    Jesse Nicholls

    Jesse Nicholls is an increasingly prominent barrister in the field of actions against the police. He is highly regarded for his work in cases relating to death during police contact, assault and police restraint, as well as claims alleging the failure to investigate or protect.

    • Jesse Nicholls is really impressive. He is a strategic thinker, shows attention to detail and is very respected in this area in terms of expertise.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Jesse Nicholls is my go-to. He is one of the fiercest juniors around and is outrageously bright. He is also empathetic with clients.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Jesse Nicholls is very helpful. He is a real rising star, he is tackling a lot of big, complex cases. He is extremely pleasant to work with and always five steps ahead. He is also very responsive.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Jesse Nicholls is amazing, everyone wants to work with him; he is all-round excellent. He is bright and extremely responsive. Jesse is brilliant; he does good advocacy and clients love him.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Jesse Nicholls is a rising star. He has encyclopedic knowledge, is very good for tactics and is a joy to work with.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
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  • Raj Desai
    Raj Desai

    Raj Desai

    Raj Desai is a strong barrister offering experience in civil claims against the police concerning deaths during police contact and failure to investigate, as well as human rights-related claims.

    • Raj Desai is charming and a good advocate. He's intelligent and a good fighter.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Raj Desai is very meticulous. He's a details person. He is someone to go for complex issues and is very good on discrimination cases. He always has all bases covered.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
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  • Hugh Southey
    Hugh Southey

    Hugh Southey

    Hugh Southey KC specialises in judicial review challenging police action or inaction, including the disclosure of information or failure to investigate. He has taken on a number of cases scrutinising the role of the Northern Irish police during the Troubles.

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  • Ifeanyi Odogwu
    Ifeanyi Odogwu

    Ifeanyi Odogwu

    Ifeanyi Odogwu is lauded for his expertise in claimant representation, covering a range of actions against the police concerning restraint, death in custody and retention of data. He is noted for his specialism in discrimination and the representation of bereaved families.

    • Ifeanyi Odogwu is a sheer pleasure to work with. He is great with clients and really great on his feet. He is also a ferocious cross-examiner. He's fantastic, I really rate him.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Ifeanyi Odogwu's practice is very, very impressive. He stands out.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Ifeanyi Odogwu is a brilliant lawyer. He's a very experienced and persuasive advocate. He can give very clear and detailed written advice on very complex issues. He's also brilliant with clients.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
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  • Matthew Ryder
    Matthew Ryder

    Matthew Ryder

    Matthew Ryder KC regularly handles cases involving unlawful arrest and false imprisonment, in addition to issues related to police shootings and national security. Most recently he has been involved in the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

    • Matthew Ryder is very bright, cool and calm. He is an excellent communicator.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Matthew Ryder is really good, he is a very strong cross-examiner.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Anyone can understand Matthew Ryder's arguments, he makes things accessible and is very down to earth. He has a lot of experience, especially with high-profile cases.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
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  • Rosalind Comyn
    Rosalind Comyn

    Rosalind Comyn

    Rosalind Comyn enters the rankings this year. She is developing a practice in public law and human rights, with a particular focus on failure to protect and failure to investigate cases against the police.

    • Rosalind Comyn is fun and clever. She lifts everyone's mood and leads the way in analysis. I know I can rely on her.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Rosalind Comyn produces high-quality work and has expertise.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Rosalind Comyn is an incredibly talented barrister who takes incredibly complex work in her stride.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Rosalind is an absolute star. She is one of my favourite juniors and is so easy to work with. She has excellent judgement, can see points and has a sense what's likely to fly in front of the court.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
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  • Helen Law
    Helen Law

    Helen Law

    Helen Law is a highly regarded barrister known for her expertise in complex civil claims against the police regarding discrimination, false imprisonment and assault. She is active in cases concerning the police's failure to investigate and the misuse of private information.

    • Helen Law is clued in to what the law requires of the police and the CPS. She is very good for cases concerning failures to investigate by the police, particularly is cases of rape.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Helen is an excellent court advocate. She can draw from her expertise in criminal law with civil law. She is strong on legal arguments and has a real feel for how to present issues before the courts.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Helen Law does a broad range so she can incorporate that experience; she is especially good in juries. Lots of people respect her.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

    • Helen Law is a brilliant advocate who grasps the key essential points to a case and leaves no stone unturned. Se is extremely thorough and delivers an exceptional service to solicitors and clients.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Matrix Chambers (8)

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