‘A stellar human rights and public law set, Matrix has boldly and quickly established a wider European reputation and has made inroads into the competition world. This is partly due to the efforts of Rhodri Thompson QC. [top ranking], who was roundly recommended to researchers as both a leading competition and European barrister. “Hands-on and practical,” he combines “excellent commercial sense with an impressive intellect.” He won most praise for his handling of the Lucite cartel case, and has also been involved in the long-running Albion Water v Ofwat case. Nicholas Blake QC  [top ranking], is a “pre-eminent immigration specialist” who, in many people’s opinion, deserves recognition for his wider EU skills in human rights. Another specialist who is recommended for more general European experience is Philippe Sands QC is [top ranking],. He is known as a top-flight public international lawyer who is “very well connected in the academic world.” Rabinder Singh QC [top ranking],is “an excellent generalist” who has a particular strength in discrimination. He is acting for the RSPCA in a challenge to the Hunting Act and has “superb advisory and advocacy skills.” He is “the type of advocate anyone would go to with a difficult case.” On the junior side, Maurice Sheridan, Kieron Beal and Jessica Simor [all ranked second] are all tried and tested performers on the EU front. Sheridan has a varied European practice that includes advising local authorities on their obligations under EU and international laws. He complements this with strength in the environmental and general commercial spheres. Jessica Simor’s public law practice focuses on human rights and EU issues such as competition and freedom of movement. She appeared in a recent freedom of movement case involving Jersey’s trade with the UK, and acted for the successful claimant in a high-profile judicial review of a trust’s decision not to provide a patient with the cancer drug Herceptin. The “truly excellent” Kieron Beal is an accomplished European lawyer who can span the full range of EU law issues. Recent cases of note involved issues surrounding the rights of non-EU nationals to carry on business for EU companies.’