Practice Team

Alison Scanes is one of our Senior Practice Managers, she joined Matrix in 2015 and has been working in barristers’ chambers since 1992. She assists with the management of our practice staff and manages the members who work in employment, media and information, sports, and discrimination and equality law. Alison’s role incorporates the management, administration, business development and strategic direction of the team, she is a regular attendee at national and international industry conferences and events.

Alison lives in Suffolk and in her spare time enjoys socialising with her family and friends and is a keen traveller to warmer climates.

Chris joined Matrix in 2016 having worked in barristers’ chambers since 1997. He assists our Senior Practice Managers, ensuring the smooth running of our diverse team. His role includes diary management and fee negotiations, practice development and client relations. Chris also plays a pivotal role in the strategic business development of Matrix and its members.

Chris is noted as being ‘an exceptional clerk’ (Legal 500) who is ‘friendly, helpful and responsive’ (Legal 500), ‘really good at keeping on top of things’ (Chambers & Partners) and ‘very knowledgeable on the details of individual cases which installs instructing solicitors with the confidence he has the ability to match counsel to suitable cases’ (Legal 500). ‘Matrix keeps up a very good standard of clerking, particularly Chris Beard, who is responsive and helpful’ (Chambers & Partners) and is ‘excellent and works as equally hard as Counsel to progress a client’s matter with Counsel’s availability’ (Legal 500). More broadly, ‘the clerks, particularly Chris Beard, are extremely responsive and supportive. Nothing is too much trouble’ (Chambers & Partners) – Chris has ‘always been excellent at getting back to me and problem solving, I am very happy with the service’ (Chambers & Partners).

Away from Matrix, Chris spends most of his time with family and friends but otherwise tries to keep himself fit and has twice completed the London Marathon, raising over £7,500 for charity.

Chris Smith joined Matrix in July 2022. Previously he worked at 11KBW and Erskine Chambers. Chris works alongside Alison Scanes, Chris Beard, Nina Russell and George Newman managing all the practices of Team M members. This includes day-to-day diary management and the business development and management.

According to Legal 500, Chris ‘provides excellent service and is a safe pair of hands’ and is ‘helpful and professional'.

In his spare time Chris likes to train for ultra-marathons, cooking and spending time in the garden along with looking after his vegetable patch.

Paul manages the barristers in Matrix’s criminal and international law teams. With our CEO, our Head of Strategy and Marketing, and Matrix’s other Practice Managers, Paul aims to build and maintain excellent working relationships with our clients wherever they are in the world, whether they are law firms, corporations, financial institutions, Governments, regulators or individuals. He is knowledgeable about what Matrix’s barristers do, and is especially adept at building the right barrister team to best deal with the complex, multi-disciplinary cases that Matrix excel at. He loves to meet clients to tell them what Matrix can offer.

Reflecting our multi-disciplinary practice, the barristers in Paul’s team also have experience in international and commercial arbitration, extradition law, environmental law, regulatory law, public and constitutional law, human rights and civil liberties, police law, and inquiries and inquests.

Paul has worked in barristers’ chambers since 1987, and joined Matrix in 2007.

Sam assists with managing the practices of members on Team T, including dealing with incoming enquiries and working on practice development projects within the criminal and international law teams.

According to Legal 500 (2022) Sam is “among the best in the business - very responsive, which makes it a seamless relationship between firms and chambers."

Outside of work, Sam’s favourite hobby is to visit new restaurants and she has a particular affiliation with the British Heart Foundation and enjoys volunteering at their events from time to time.

Rhian joined Matrix in January 2019, having previously managed the commercial law team at Hardwicke Chambers.

Rhian is responsible for the management and development of the practices of Matrix’s members specialising in international arbitration, financial crime, extradition and public international law.

She has a degree in Performing Arts and when not at Matrix, enjoys playing the Harp and visiting family in Wales.

Tom joined Matrix from Blackstone Chambers in August 2023, having commenced his clerking career in 2017. He assists Paul, Sam and Rhian with the day-to-day management of counsels’ diaries and the development of Team T barristers’ practices.

Tom was nominated for the 2023 Legal 500 Junior Clerk of the Year award.

Outside of work, Tom enjoys socialising with friends and family and is an avid sports fan.

Elizabeth Bousher is one of our Senior Practice Managers. Liz assists with the management of our practice staff and the barristers in Team X. She is responsible for managing the practices of members who specialise in commercial, EU and competition law, public, immigration, education, health and mental capacity, community care, human rights and environmental law. Liz’s role incorporates the administration, business development and strategic direction of the team.

She gained a Geography degree from Exeter University in 2008 and has previously worked as a member of the practice team at Hardwicke. Away from Matrix, Liz is a keen traveller and enjoys scuba diving when the water is warm enough.

Simon joined Matrix in November 2013 having previously worked at Tooks Chambers and Garden Court prior to that.

In his spare time his young daughter keeps him very busy, otherwise he enjoys socialising, travel and DIY.

Matt re-joined Matrix in June 2017, having worked with us previously from 2006-2014 on Practice Team M.

During his time away from Matrix, Matt worked for a high-profile family. This varied role included managing the practice of a KC specialising in international arbitration – as well as handling business and philanthropic relationships, and extensive travel across Europe, Asia, Africa and the US.

Matt assists the Senior Practice Manager on Team X with the running of the team; his role includes diary and enquiry management, fee negotiations and business development.

Outside of Matrix, Matt spends his time running around after his 4 young children!

Sarah joined Matrix in January 2022 having previously worked at Keating Chambers. She will be responsible for the management and development of the practices of Matrix’s members.

Sarah has a degree in English Language and Linguistics from the University of Kent and in her spare time, enjoys socialising with her family and friends as well as travelling.

According to the directories: she is “very responsive, professional, and friendly, and able to organise and orchestrate with ease.”

James joined Matrix in January 2023 having previously worked at Atkin Chambers. James assists Elizabeth, Matt, Sarah and Simon with the day-to-day management of counsel’s diaries and the development of Team X barristers’ practice.

James was nominated for the 2023 Legal 500 Junior Clerk of the Year award.

James read Law at Bournemouth University. He has completed the IBC Introduction to Business Management, for which he was awarded ‘Student of the Year’, and the Bar Council Public Access training course.

Nina joined Matrix in January 2021 having previously worked at Blackstone Chambers.

Nina works alongside Alison Scanes, Chris Beard, Chris Smith and George Newman managing the practices of Team M barristers. This includes distribution of work, managing counsels’ diaries, fee negotiation and working on practice development projects.

Outside of Matrix, Nina enjoys travelling and is an avid baker.

George joined Matrix in August 2023. He assists Alison Scanes, Chris Beard, Chris Smith and Nina Russell with the day-to-day management of counsels’ diaries and the development of Team M barristers’ practices.

Outside of Matrix, George regularly goes to the gym, plays football and enjoys socialising with friends and family.