Spending 4 Days at Matrix Chambers has been incredibly insightful and truly inspiring. As someone interested in the legal industry and how it operates, I was excited for this opportunity with Matrix Chambers. The opportunity to speak to Barristers and go to court was very eye-opening. I am grateful for every moment shared with Matrix Chambers.
DAY 1:
The day started with a general introduction to Matrix. We were welcomed by Theo and were introduced to how Matrix Chambers came to be and how it has grown over the years. Matrix Chambers was founded with a mission to create a more modern legal environment, and one way this is done is by replacing older terminology (such as pupils) with more modern terms (like trainees). This approach works to create a more friendly and familiar environment for everyone at Matrix.
After a general introduction, we were given a tour of the buildings that make up Matrix Chambers, from the gorgeous South Square to the historic Gray’s Inn building. It was surprising to see how much of the old infrastructure had been preserved, contributing to the history and reputation of Gray’s Inn.
After this we settled down in the offices, and were introduced to the Legal Support Services team, who oversaw our placement. My fellow work experience students and I were given our own computers and workspaces, and we were introduced to the case that we were due to see in court on the next day. This case was a judicial review challenge against the Environmental Agency over alleged regulatory failings. We were then lucky enough to have the opportunity to speak to the barrister working on this case, and I got to pick her brain with relevant questions about the case, including how she was preparing for the hearing the next day.
After that, we moved on to a session with the fees team, who introduced us to the financial realities of a barristers’ chambers. We learned how barristers get paid and how different types of cases are individually funded.
DAY 2:
The second day was both engaging and educational. I travelled to court with my peers where we got to see an interesting case involving a high-profile brand in the morning and the Environmental Agency case we had discussed with the barrister the day before in the afternoon. At lunch, we explored the Royal Courts of Justice, where we witnessed the inner workings of court. Every person on a court has a specific role they must play which I got to experience firsthand.
After court we made our way back to Matrix Chambers, and where we discussed what we had learned in court that day. We also spoke to some barristers, where I learnt a lot about the role of a barrister, asking questions about their profession and their work as well as challenges they face when it comes to their work.
DAY 3:
Day 3 was very exciting and involved a full-day trip to the Royal Courts of Justice to witness a hearing for a case that had gained media attention. I learnt more about the role of a barrister and how to construct a legal argument: every argument presented had to be very thoroughly supported by evidence and even this evidence had to be valid and from a credible source. I saw how barristers adapted their strategies and responded to judicial questions, offering valuable insights into advocacy techniques and courtroom etiquette.
After court, we went back to Matrix Chambers to discuss our day and what we thought about the case.
DAY 4:
The final day of the placement was spent in Matrix Chambers itself rather than at court. I got to research and prepare a 5-minute presentation on the question: “should university be free for everyone?”, where I argued that it should be.
After my presentation, I had a 5-minute interview with a member of the Legal Support Services and a member of the Fees Team as part of my application for the Future Lawyers scheme. I was a bit nervous about the interview, but I persevered.
After Lunch, I had the opportunity to speak to one of Matrix Chamber’s more senior barristers (who we had seen in court the morning of the second day). Guy Vassall-Adams KC. I asked questions about the results of the court hearing from Tuesday and what the Judge ultimately decided. He also spoke to us about famous cases he has been involved in. I asked about his career journey, which was very interesting. The opportunity to gainvaluable insight and advice from such a knowledgeable barrister was amazing.
To round off the week, I we were able to ask any questions we had to the Legal Support Staff about routes into law. We then spoke to the current trainees at Matrix, who were generous enough to take time out of their busy schedules to speak to us about their journey to the Bar. They gave as insight into their lives and what their work involves at Matrix Chambers, and gave us advice about life at university.
Looking back, my week at Matrix Chambers was an unforgettable experience that gave me a first-hand look at life at the Bar.
I would highly recommend this placement to anyone considering a career in law. Thank you, Matrix Chambers, for such an incredible experience.