Matrix Chambers

Bar Mark, Criminal Defence Service and Community Legal Service

Address Griffin Building
Gray's Inn, London
WC1R 5LN
DX 400 Chancery Lane
Email matrix@matrixlaw.co.uk Telephone +44 (0)20 7404 3447 Fax +44 (0)20 7404 3448

Details of the latest Matrix news.

02/03/10 European Court finds that the UKs actions which exposed 2 men to an ongoing risk of the death penalty in Iraq were unlawfulThe European Court of Human Rights found that the transfer to the Iraqi authorities of 2 men detained by the UK in Iraq breached their right to freedom from inhuman treatment by exposing them to an ongoing fear that they may face the death penalty. Ben Emmerson QC, Karon Monaghan QC, Raza Husain and Helen Law were involved in this case. Find out more.Al-Saadoon Judgment

26/02/10 Matrix scoops four silk appointmentsCongratulations to Alex Bailin, Raza Husain, Helen Mountfield and Matthew Ryder who were all successful in their silk applications. This brings Matrix's silk count to twenty which constitutes just over 30% of Matrix's members (including associates). With such proportions in mind, Matrix evidently continues to house some of the most experienced specialists in the profession.

24/02/10 Matrix roundtable comments on Law Commission's proposed adult social care law shake-up

The Law Commission, which advises the Government on law reform, today proposes the most radical shake-up of adult social care law for more than 60 years. A wide-ranging package of reform proposals includes clearer rights for the estimated six million carers who give up their time to look after elderly and disabled friends and relatives. Martrix are holding a Community Care & Health Claimant Law roundtable on the 24th March to discuss these proposals as part of the Law Commission's review of adult social care law. Click here for details.

Law Commission Press Release

05/02/10 Julian Knowles representing the three MPs charged over expensesJulian Knowles is representing three Labour MPs who have been summonsed for criminal offences arising from their claims for Parliamentary allowances. Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer today announced that Elliot Morley MP, Jim Devine MP and David Chaytor MP will face charges under the Theft Act 1968. For the full story visit the BBC website.

04/02/10 Supreme Court refuses to postpone effect of its asset-freezing decisionIn an important follow-up judgment Ahmed and others v HM Treasury (No.2) [2010] UKSC 5, the Supreme Court today refused to grant HM Treasury any suspension of the quashing of the asset-freezing legislation which it struck down last week in Ahmed and others v HM Treasury [2010] UKSC 2. Raza Husain represented the Appellants A, K and M and the Respondent HAY. Alex Bailin represented the Appellant G.Find out more.UKSC Press release A v HM Treasury judgment

31/01/10 Matrix's Employment Team dominates the Equal Opportunities Review into IRLR reported casesMatrix's Employment Team stormed into the "All-Time Top 40 Advocates" in the Equal Opportunities Review of IRLR reported cases with Thomas Linden QC (65 appearances), Cherie Booth QC (39 apps.) and Thomas Kibling (32 apps.) being listed.Find out more.

29/01/10 Uniplex case holds potential to change the "promptly" requirementIn a reference for a preliminary ruling in Uniplex (UK) Ltd v NHS Business Services Authority, the Court held: that Directive 89/665 (on co-ordination of laws, etc, relating to the application of review procedures to the award of public supply and public works contracts) required the period for bringing public procurement infringement proceedings to begin on the date on which the claimant knew, or ought to have known, of the alleged infringement – and not on the date of the alleged infringement. Maurice Sheridan was involved in this case.Find out more.

27/01/10 Supreme Court strikes down anti-terrorist asset-freezing legislationIn a very significant judgment today, the UK Supreme Court struck down “draconian” anti-terrorist asset-freezing legislation on the basis that it did not comply with the rule of law. Tim Owen QC and Dan Squires represented the Appellants A, K and M. Rabinder Singh QC and Alex Bailin represented the Appellant G. Raza Husain and Dan Squires represented the Respondent HAY.Find out more.A v HM Treasury judgment

19/01/10 EAT failed to properly apply the 'category of employee' testIn YKK Europe Ltd v Heneghan, the respondent employer appealed against a decision of an employment tribunal that it had jurisdiction to determine the unfair dismissal claim. Held: the tribunal had erred in failing to properly apply the ‘category of employee’ test established in Lawson v Serco Ltd [2006] UKHL 3. James Laddie was involved in this case.Find out more.YKK Europe Ltd judgment

12/01/10 Stop-and-search powers illegal rules European Court In an important judgment, the European Court of Human Rights today ruled that key anti-terrorist stop and search powers violated the right to respect for private life. Ben Emmerson QC, Rabinder Singh QC and Alex Bailin were involved in the case.Find out more.

11/01/10 Judicial review of "Gurkha Offer to Transfer" deniedAn application for judicial review of the “Gurkha Offer to Transfer” and Armed Forces (Gurkha Pensions) Order 2007 (SI 2007/2608), which enable Gurkhas who retired after 1 July 1997 to elect to transfer to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, has been denied. Rabinder Singh QC and Sam Grodzinski were involved in this case.Find out more.Gurkha judgment

16/12/09 Supreme Court declares faith school's admissions policy racially discriminatoryOn Wednesday 16th December, a nine-judge Supreme Court held that the admissions policy of the state maintained JFS School discriminated on racial grounds against child M, and others like him. Helen Mountfield was second counsel for the claimant. Thomas Linden QC and Dan Squires represented the Secretary of State. David Wolfe and Adam Sandell represented the British Humanist Association. Sam Grodzinski and Professor Aileen McColgan acted for the Board of Deputies of British Jews.Find out more.JFS Judgment

15/12/09 No discrimination against Christian registrar who rejected civil partnershipsThe Court of Appeal decided on 15 December 2009 that a Christian registrar was not discriminated against on grounds of her religion by the London Borough of Islington when it insisted that she participate in civil partnership arrangements. Helen Mountfield appeared for the London Borough of Islington. Karon Monaghan QC and Professor Aileen McColgan appeared for Liberty, which intervened.Find out more.Ladele Judgment

14/12/09 Decision on the Citizen's Directive extends free movement rightsIn an important decision for free movement law, the Court of Appeal today held that the Citizens’ Directive extends previous free movement rights as well as consolidating them. Helen Mountfield represented the successful appellant, Mrs Pedro, instructed by Sarah Clarke of Child Poverty Action Group.Find out more.Pedro Judgment

14/12/09 Privy Council allows appeal upholding rights of same-sex couples in GibraltarThe Privy Council has upheld the rights of same-sex partners not to be discriminated against in the housing policy applied in Gibraltar. Rabinder Singh QC led the team for the Appellant, which also included Karon Monaghan QC and Prof. Aileen McColgan.Find out more.Rodriguez Judgment

09/12/09 Welsh Water appeal dismissed in the Supreme CourtWelsh Water pursued an appeal to the Supreme Court, seeking to establish that the Water Industry Act 1991, s 106 gave a sewerage undertaker the right to refuse to permit connection to the public sewer at an unsuitable point. By a majority, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal. Maurice Sheridan & Jessica Simor were involved in this case.Find out more.Welsh Water Judgment

01/10/09 Helen Mountfield named Human Rights and Public Law 'Junior of the Year' at The Chambers Bar Awards 2009Matrix are pleased to announce that Helen Mountfield was named Human Rights & Public Law 'Junior of the Year' at The Chambers Bar Awards 2009. Find out more.

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