
Raj is a former solicitor. He joined Matrix as a full member in 2011.
Raj specialises in public and human rights law and has a mixed judicial review and civil actions practice. His practice encompasses prison law, civil actions against the police, equality law, asylum and immigration law, information law, education law, community care law and inquests and inquiries work. He also undertakes international law work, in particular applications to the European Court of Human Rights.
Raj’s clients are predominantly individuals, but he is also instructed by NGOs, charities, public authorities, regulatory bodies, and companies. Raj believes in the importance of high quality representation and advice for all regardless of their means, and is pleased to accept instructions from legally aided clients. Where funding is not available, he will accept instructions on a pro bono basis if able to do so.
Raj is on the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Panel of Preferred Counsel.
Raj is on the Attorney General’s B Panel of Counsel and is Home Office security cleared.
Raj’s notable cases include:
Raj holds a first class undergraduate law degree and postgraduate law degree from Oxford University. Before joining the Bar, Raj qualified as a solicitor at Sharpe Pritchard solicitors. He subsequently worked as judicial assistant to the then Lord Chief Justice and Lord Justice (now Lord) Carnwath at the Court of Appeal. He has also worked for the Human Rights Department of the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office in Melbourne, Australia.
Raj has taught public law, and human rights law on both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, at Oxford University. He is a co-author of the Blackstone’s Guide to the Human Rights Act (7th Ed.,OUP) and ‘Judicial Review: A Practical Guide’ (Jordans). He is also a contributing author to Criminal Justice and Human Rights (3rd Ed, Sweet & Maxwell) and Prison Law (5th Ed., OUP).
Raj accepts instructions under the Bar Council Standard Contractual Terms, details of which can be found here.
Raj is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. In order to provide legal services to his clients, including advice and representation services, Raj needs to collect and hold personal data. This includes his client’s personal data and the personal data of others who feature in the matter upon which he is instructed. To read Raj’s privacy notice in full, please see here.
Raj is regulated by the Bar Standards Board and accepts instruction under Standard Contractual Terms. To find out more information on this and the way we work at Matrix, including our fee transparency statement, please see our see our service standards.
Raj is consistently ranked as a leader in his fields of practice.
Chambers & Partners 2020
“The go-to junior for any aspect of police law and beyond. A wise and skilled tactician who is meticulous and collegiate, and never loses sight of the wider issues, while providing consummate client care….”
“He is always the best advocate in the room at inquests.”
“He is right up there as one of the best barristers in police work. …”
“Excellent all round: he is bright, dedicated, exceptionally good with clients and communicates very well with those instructing him.”
Legal 500 2020
“‘Phenomenally bright and is very approachable. Has an easy rapport with clients.”
Chambers & Partners 2019
“…meticulous in case preparation.”
“He identifies the key issues in a case clearly and quickly.”
“Extremely bright and energetic… very approachable, very thorough in preparation, and very hands-on and strategic in planning.”
Chambers & Partners 2018
“He is a very good advocate, clear and persuasive – and juries love him.”
“His written work is excellent and he is able to absorb a huge amount of evidence quickly and methodically.”
“He is just so wonderfully calm, thoughtful and thorough.”
Chambers & Partners 2017
“He is extremely wise, great to work with and clever as hell.”
“He offers very impressive advocacy.”
“Very approachable, thorough and committed to the needs of vulnerable clients.”
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