Matrix Chambers - True Picture

Matrix Chambers pupillage review 2025

The Chambers

It turns out entering the Matrix might not be quite as daunting as it may seem. Despite the fact that, as chief executive Rachel Holmes explains: “We think of ourselves as a premier set – at the top of the intellectual stakes and leading the way in many different practice areas,” it remains “an intellectual powerhouse with a very human front.” It’s also something of a USP for the set “that our barristers are involved at the intersections of legal practice” comprising of what newly instated training committee leader Ian Helme describes as “world class expertise in barristers who can cross over between different practice areas.” In fact, “we touch on 30 different practice areas overall!” adds Holmes, “public law is very broad with us, we have a large employment team, a large crime team - broken down into different areas, for example, immigration and extradition – an environmental law team, ESG, and education. I could go on!” If you peer beyond the Matrix, there’s a plenty more about life at Matrix Chambers that’s a little different. For one thing, the set has practice managers instead of clerks and trainees instead of pupils! 

“…an intellectual powerhouse with a very human front.”

The set bags top marks in the Chambers UK Bar guide for its work in civil liberties & human rights, community care, education and extradition in London. There’s also nods in administrative & public law, public international law, data protection, employment, environment, European law, financial crime and immigration. Matrix takes on “a lot of international work that straddles most of the teams in one way or another,” Helme tells us, such as law of the sea controversies, group actions on villages in Yemen, Indian media law, or legal issues relating to the conflict in Gaza. Holmes explains that “we tend to be instructed by the more prominent firms in any particular area of law – but it can sometimes be individuals too, and sometimes governments or NGOs.” Case in point, Richard Hermer KC represented the Rohingya community in Myanmar against Facebook over for alleged complicity in the genocide. Over in defamation too, the team have worked on major public tribunals such as the Wagatha Christie scandal, in addition to the Duchess of Sussex’s more recent privacy claim against a number of major UK newspapers.

The Pupillage Experience

Matrix trainees will complete four seats throughout the year. As Helme explains, “because we have so many different areas of law, there are huge opportunities to see different areas.” He continues, “it’s fantastic for them to see a broad range of practices.” With a combination of work with silks and juniors, trainees will get a glimpse of every level throughout their time at Matrix: “Some seats may be more court or paper based,” Helme adds, meaning “you’ll get an experience of different working patterns.” Such variety certainly attracted one trainee to the set: “Matrix really encourages you to have a broad practice,” but “I think the really cool thing is you can go in and design your own pupillage.” We heard that a trainees’ preferences are taken into account, with sources noting that trainees are invited to submit preferences for their supervisors if there’s a particular type of work that tickles their fancy.

“You could be going to the Supreme Court one day, the court of appeal another.”

While the first three seats are non-practicing, one junior outlined the “real mixture” of “live work, primarily shadowing your supervisor.” Involved from the get-go, trainees noted opportunities to get stuck into supervisor’s cases, undertaking research and attending hearings in the first six. This included any international work a supervisor may be involved with. While we heard exotic trips abroad aren’t guaranteed, one trainee highlighted that much of their work in employment concerned proceedings in Dubai! This was on top of letters before action, drafting skeletons, and court of appeal work. One trainee added: “It’s good to be thrown in at the deep end that way!” Opportunities for trainees to get on their feet came in the fourth seat as part of an unofficial second six – “You could be going to the Supreme Court one day, the court of appeal another,” added a trainee.

Assessments come in the form of two oral and one written advocacy piece. The latter can be “a pretty big advice to write” recalled one trainee, “mine was on EU law and milk regulation in vegan products!” As for oral advocacy, “you get lots of practice runs and training on this.” Trainees are typically given a few days to prepare before conducting a presentation on the topic in front of staff. The tenancy decision is made towards the end of a trainees’ third seat, in the form of a vote by all members of chambers: “We look at feedback from those who have been supervisors and those who’ve marked the assessments throughout the year,” Helme tells us. Holmes adds: “Sometimes, there’s a full-blown discussion into minutiae, other times it’s a quick decision.” Trainees felt supported throughout the process which they felt spoke to “Matrix’s commitment to trainee wellbeing. Every report that’s written you will get to see before anyone else, so you will know whether or not you’re meeting the standard for membership.” 

Matrix prides itself on its set of 16 core values, which Holmes and Helme touch on throughout our interview. These include the likes of its democratic structure and equal allocation of work, which sources were quick to highlight as modern and progressive: “It’s a very open, friendly, and inclusive place day-to-day” one trainee noted. Holmes also draws our attention to “Matrix lunches every Wednesday for all staff and barristers.” We also heard that the set hosts “a special education needs conference every year,” and “ a special screening of the play with Jodie Comer – Prima Facie. The playwright and director came in to visit!” As such, “there’s always something cool, nerdy and law-related going on!” At the time of writing, the Matrix building was in the middle of a refurb, so future trainees will have a brand-spanking new abode to call home!

The Application Process

“The first thing to say is that we try to be transparent with everything,” says Helme, “no tricks and no gimmicks!” Helme encourages potential applicants to read the information available on the set’s website before applying. Matrix sticks to the Pupillage Gateway timetable, but offers candidates a separate application portal which one trainee described as “very straightforward” with “targeted Matrix questions.” This first stage consists of a standard application form, which, as Helme points out, is completed blind, with candidates judged purely on their application answers. Candidates will also be asked to complete a 400–500-word essay on a current affairs topic, as “they want to see your ability to argue both sides of an issue.” As one trainee quipped: “The topic can be tricky! Mine was: ‘Should Covid vaccines be mandatory?’ You’ve therefore got to get into the nitty-gritty of the question and break it down. For instance, what is meant by mandatory? But you need to come down on one side while considering the other argument. They want to see how you think and whether you can do so flexibly.”

“You’ve therefore got to get into the nitty-gritty of the question and break it down.”

Two or three members of chambers will then analyse each application and invite 40-50 candidates through to the next stage, an interview. Here, candidates will discuss their application form while being given an additional Supreme Court judgement exercise to complete. As one trainee explained, “you are given 45 minutes to read through the exercise and then you will be asked particular questions about the judgement.” They continued, “what’s nice about the first interview is that you’re being judged on your application form and your ability to perform a set task – it feels very fair and gives you a bit of structure, so you’re clear on what you’re doing.”

Successful candidates will subsequently progress further to a final interview stage: “The final interview is quite a big interview” one source recalled, with “six or seven members” present. Of course, this “can be a bit intimidating!” But “what’s nice is that it’s a range of members – the CEO is there, seniors, senior juniors, and juniors, including the most junior member.” The interview itself is “much longer,” and candidates could be asked about “something you’ve done, your CV, or some cases.” You might even be given a problem exercise intended to prompt a back-and-forth: “I was asked about Ukraine” explained one trainee, “should British people be banned from going there to fight?” But rest assured, “everyone was very friendly and very chatty, and it just felt like an interesting discussion.”

Helme’s advice? “Do what it says on the tin” he tells us, “because we spell out what we want from you.” Rest assured, it’s not about being “in awe of the organisation! We’re very human and very welcoming, and we’re actively looking for people who share our interests.”