Matrix is recognised as having a "growing reputation" in this area of practice by leading competition solicitors and is now a recommended set in this area in the Legal 500 guide for 2004. In addition to leading practitioners in competition law itself, Matrix complements this specialism with a unique combination of specialist criminal law, EC law, employment law, and public law expertise. These interlocking areas of skill and experience are of particular relevance to the rapid developments at both the United Kingdom and EC levels:
* the changes to UK competition law since 2000 (notably the Competition Act 1998 and the Enterprise Act 2002) have already led to a considerable increase in litigation and complex appeals before the CAT
* regulatory decisions of the OFT and sectoral regulators are open to challenge as a matter of public law and under the specific sectoral regimes
* the UK “cartel offence” for the first time renders individuals liable to imprisonment, disqualification as directors and heavy fines for participation in illegal cartels
* the new merger regimes at both UK and EC level are likely to lead to increased levels of challenges to decisions in the Competition Appeal Tribunal and appeal courts
* modernisation of EC competition law will raise complex issues of public law, double jeopardy and Community law as the relationship between the two parallel but not identical regimes is worked out
Rhodri Thompson QC is an established leader in the field, with experience of representing not only a wide range of private clients, particularly in the field of sports and media, but also the regulators such as the OFT, the EC Commission and the Office of the Rail Regulator.
Other members of Matrix with specific competition law expertise include Jessica Simor and Kieron Beal (recommended juniors in the directories), Charlotte Kilroy, Eleni Mitrophanous and John O’Flaherty (who is a qualified economist with experience as an economic consultant) whereas criminal, commercial and public law specialists such as Clare Montgomery QC, Antony White QC, Rabinder Singh QC and Professor Takis Tridimas offer an exceptionally wide range of related expertise. | 
