My first day at Matrix began with meeting the lovely front of house team who put mine and my colleagues nerves at rest while we waited for our initial inductions. This began promptly after meeting our work experience co-ordinator Jennifer who took us upstairs to the main office area. We quickly got set up on the desks around the office and got started on our tasks that introduced us to the different jobs that members of Matrix had to undertake. For example, we did everything from a legal support service task to researching the different ways barristers receive funding from their clients.

This was followed by a series of inductions, starting with Team T, who provide support to members working in Crime and Extradition, International Law, ESG and Investigations. It was interesting to see how Lloyd (Practice Manager of Team T) helped barristers to organise their cases in order to be prepared to speak in court. Next, we were introduced to the LSS team and were shown how Donella and her colleagues conduct research for Matrix’s members, as well as prepare bundles ready to be taken to court. We also had the pleasure of learning how the fees team organise the pay for the barristers according to what they are owed by each client.

My second and third days involved going to the Royal Court of Justice where we watched a substantive judicial review case where Matrix member Toby Fisher took part. Though the case was vastly complicated, delving into the fine details of the UK constitution, the experience was of paramount importance to my development as an aspiring lawyer, as I got to see firsthand how barristers advocate for their clients while under constant scrutiny by the judge. It was extremely helpful to see the case from the point of view of Toby, who told us the significance of the case and what the claimant was trying to argue.

My fourth and final day started with working with the front-of-house department. This came in the form of helping set up a meeting room for an event in the afternoon and involved carrying and setting up chairs in the appropriate format. After lunch, I was introduced to the marketing team, where I helped prepare nametags for the event in the afternoon, and I was shown how the marketing team ensures Matrix gets exposure on social media. The marketing team does an excellent job of making sure that members get substantial advertising in order to attract clients. Jennifer then took me on a tour of the building containing the barristers’ offices, which was interesting as a student of history, as the building was antique and still held many of the books containing legislation that were used by past barristers. I finished my day by carrying out my Future Lawyers meeting. Though I felt the pressure of the interview, Jennifer and Elliott kept me at ease and helped me at the end through describing their own pathways into law.

Overall, my time at Matrix has been extremely beneficial to me as an aspiring lawyer. This is because I received insight into how the teams supporting the barristers work in collaboration in order to give the client the best possible service. I also received insight into how barristers advocate for their clients in court and how the front desk keep the office running through the setting up of events that are necessary for networking opportunities.