Matrix is delighted to welcome two new members to the private international law team: Kate Boakes and Toby Fisher.
Matrix has been at the forefront of the development of private international law, providing access to justice for tens of thousands of litigants before the courts of England & Wales. In the past few years alone members have acted in cases stemming from Algeria, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Colombia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand and Zambia.
Rachel Holmes, Chief Executive of Matrix, commented:
“We are delighted to welcome Kate Boakes and Toby Fisher to the private international law team. Matrix offers an unrivalled breadth of practice areas, each of which intersect with one another, creating a unique multi-disciplinary offering. The addition of Kate and Toby enables us to further strengthen our private international law offering and we look forward to working with each of them to continue to develop their individual practices.”
Kate’s private international law work typically concerns environmental harm or human rights abuses perpetrated overseas. Many of her cases are in the business and human rights field and she also acts in international law claims against the British government. Ongoing instructions include claims brought by survivors of the Rohingya genocide against Facebook, by two Nigerian communities against Shell in respect of oil pollution, and by Malawian women against an English tea company in respect of workplace sexual violence. She also acts in domestic cases, usually in complex or large-scale claims concerning serious injury or disease. She is currently acting in litigation arising out of the Grenfell Tower fire and the Manchester Arena bombing.
Toby practises across all areas of public and international law, with particular expertise in environment and human rights law. He returned to practice in May 2022 after three and a half years acting as Deputy Director, International Law for the New Zealand Government. Toby advises and represents States, corporations, public bodies, NGOs and individuals in complex disputes. He is adept at leading multi-disciplinary teams to deliver successful litigation outcomes.