TRAINEESHIP BROCHURE 2020 Matrix is ‘the future of the Bar.’ Chambers and Partners TRAINEESHIP BROCHURE CONTENTS • Introduction to Matrix- page 2 • Why choose Matrix?- page 2 • Glossary - plain words- page 2 • Becoming a barrister - page 3 • Areas of work - page 3 • Training schedule - page 3 • Life as a trainee - page 4 • Application procedure- page 6 • Deferred applications- page 6 • Third six- page 6 • Training awards- page 6 • Visa requirements- page 6 • Information for applicants who have a disability- page 6 • Traineeship supervisors- page 7 • Matrix selection procedure - page 10 • Stage 1- page 9 • Stage 2- page 110 • Stage 3- page 11 • Notes regarding the application form- page 11 • Equal opportunities- page 11 • Useful contacts- page 11 • Matrix core values- page 12 • Members- page 13 1 INTRODUCTION TO MATRIX Matrix is a barristers’ chambers located in hierarchies and attitudes demonstrated by our London, Geneva and Brussels. We are a members – all these elements make Matrix a collection of lawyers specialising in a wide really great place to train and to work. range of practice areas throughout the UK and Matrix is committed to providing a stimulating, internationally. Described as “professional and balanced and comprehensive training forward thinking”, we are an approachable schedule. As a junior member of Matrix, the set that are proud of our record of innovation. expectation is that you will be in court regularly Our core values govern the way we work and on a wide range of cases and practice areas outline our commitment to operating within an as this is a very important part of continuing environment where diversity, accessibility and training to be a fully-rounded barrister. client care are widely championed. Matrix has 73 full members, 14 associate members and 9 academic members, with two GLOSSARY- PLAIN WORDS current trainees and 33 members of staff. Since You may have already noticed some of the October 2010 Matrix has recruited 21 trainees linguistic touches that make Matrix different and offered membership to 16 individuals from a more traditional set. We do not use following their traineeship. the out-dated terminology of ‘clerks’ and ‘tenants’, and are committed to accessibility WHY CHOOSE MATRIX? in all we do. We have something fresh to offer and people In this booklet we may resort to some of the really notice the difference. Chambers more standard terms, but these are the plain and Partners have noted that “Matrix is an words we prefer to use everyday: extremely professional and contemporary chambers, and a dream to work with in TRAINEESHIP PUPILLAGE terms of its professionalism”. Matrix was recommended in the main legal directories last year in a total of 55 practice areas. TRAINEE PUPIL It is primarily the people, their approach and attitude that makes the atmosphere at Matrix MEMBERS TENANTS different. Our bright, contemporary offices; our PRACTICE STAFF CLERKS commitment to quality of service and high-tech facilities; the friendly professionalism of our staff; and the lack of old-fashioned language, 2 INTRODUCTION TO MATRIX BECOMING A BARRISTER Matrix has a very strong international Matrix’s traineeships constitute the “pupillage / presence, acting in more than 114 countries for work-based learning component of Bar training” governments, international corporations, legal as set out by the BSB and are available to those firms and individuals. following any of the following three pathways: three-step pathway, four-step pathway or TRAINING SCHEDULE integrated academic and vocational pathway. The 12-month training period is split roughly More information about pathways can be found into quarters. The training committee tends to here. choose who will supervise in the first quarter, whilst trainees are finding their feet, but trainees The purpose of traineeships is for aspiring are consulted throughout on what areas they barristers who have completed their academic would be interested in covering, subject to the and vocational components of training to availability of supervisors. It is expected that gain practical training under the supervision trainees will experience the wide range of work of experienced barristers. You can find more covered at Matrix with seats in varied practice information about this component of your training areas throughout the year. There is a scheduled to become a barrister on the BSB website here. programme of training that takes place that can AREAS OF WORK include internal and external training, written The members of Matrix practise in a range of and advocacy exercises, and secondments. In different areas of UK public and private law, the third quarter trainees are given assessed the law of the European Union and the ECHR, exercises. These are usually in the form of one and public international law. Matrix acts for piece of written advice, two oral advocacy private and public clients throughout the UK and exercises (including submission of a skeleton internationally and has particular expertise in argument before the ‘hearing’) and one business areas including: commercial, competition, crime, development oral presentation. Matrix trainees do data protection, defamation, discrimination, not generally take on oral advocacy in their own education, employment, environmental, right until the last quarter. extradition, fraud, freedom of information, human rights, immigration nationality and asylum, international arbitration, local government, public and administrative law, media, mutual assistance, prison, social welfare, and sports law. 3 LIFE AS A TRAINEE As a trainee at Matrix, I had unique exposure to high-profile, interesting and important cases in a range of practice areas, from public law and crime to media and employment law. I attended hearings at all levels, from the Magistrates’ Court and the Employment Tribunal to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Traineeship is demanding and standards are high, but by the end of the year I realised how much I had learnt and developed as a lawyer, by having had the opportunity to work alongside barristers who are experts in their fields. I worked on a range of cases and drafted pleadings and advices, receiving regular feedback. “The atmosphere at Matrix is friendly and informal, and I was treated as a colleague from day one.” I also had a number of training sessions from members on specific practice areas, which was a great way of learning some practical tips. I was grateful for the opportunity to have three full seats of training before starting my own cases in my final seat. This gave me the support of my final supervisor as I made the transition to becoming a full member. The atmosphere at Matrix is friendly and informal, and I was treated as a colleague from day one. I was always encouraged to express my EMMA FOUBISTER opinions and contribute to discussions with other members. There is a great support network and I had regular meetings with a mentor throughout the year. A number of exciting opportunities were available to me, from writing for the UKSC blog and Inforrm, to spending a week with the legal team of a national newspaper. Trainees are encouraged to attend as many events as possible, ranging from interesting panel debates to drinks parties. Not only did this enable me to meet solicitors and keep abreast of new legal developments, it was a great way to get to know other members and the staff team. Emma Foubister was the 2017-2018 trainee at Matrix. She became a full Matrix member in 2018. 4 LIFE AS A TRAINEE Matrix is an incredibly friendly and supportive organisation, which is made up of exceptional lawyers who are supported by an excellent practice team and staff. I have thoroughly enjoyed my traineeship and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to be a trainee at Matrix. As a trainee, I was fortunate to have exposure to a number of interesting and important cases in a variety of practice areas, from proceedings before the EAT and the Court of Appeal to urgent applications for interim relief in judicial review proceedings. I attended hearings at all levels and in a number of forums, from the County Court and Employment Tribunal to the High Court, Competition Appeal Tribunal and Court of Appeal. “I was always invited to express my opinions and contribute to discussions with other members.” While traineeship is demanding and expectations are high, I genuinely enjoyed the challenge and feel grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside and learn from barristers who are experts in their fields. I worked on a range of cases in a number of practice areas and completed a variety of tasks, ranging from drafting pleadings and advices, to preparing cross examination and reviewing witness evidence. My supervisors were incredibly ROISIN SWORDS-KIELEY supportive and offered regular and constructive feedback, which enabled me to improve and develop as lawyer. I also had a number of training sessions from members on specific practice areas; these were really useful and provided both practical tips and insight into areas of law that I had not yet been exposed to. More generally, over Thursday lunch or at other internal events, I was always invited to express my opinions and contribute to discussions with other members. I was encouraged to attend a number of networking and educational events both in person and (in light of the global pandemic) remotely. I particularly enjoyed attending the annual SEN law conference and chairing a webinar on ‘Covid-19, the law and trade unions’. Roisin Swords-Kieley was the 2019-2020 trainee at Matrix. She became a full Matrix member in 2020. 5 APPLICATION PROCEDURE Matrix has opted out of the Pupillage Gateway cases it is possible to apply for an extension, system and instead uses an application form provided that the total period of sponsorship for traineeship. This application form can be does not exceed six years.