Matthew Phipps joined Chambers as a school leaver in 1983 and qualified as a member of The Institute of Barristers’ Clerks in 1988. When he joined there were 24 members including 4 silks. He has played a pivotal role in the development and expansion of the set, which now comprises over 120 members including 23 silks, and became senior clerk in 1999.
Although still an active clerk himself Matthew heads up the clerking team and is responsible for all aspects of Chambers’ practice management and plays a key role in the marketing, business development and strategic planning.
Recommended by the directories as “excellent” and “runs a tight ship” our chambers remain in the top twenty sets for client service. Senior clerk Matthew Phipps and his first juniors Andrew Tull and John McLaren are “great senior clerks there who provide excellent service to their solicitor clients. They are very easy to deal with and efficient.”
In the latest Legal 500 and the Chambers UK Bar Guides the clerks are praised by clients, who say:
“1COR has the best clerks, who always pick up the phone and get back to you as promised.”
“I have always been impressed with the clerking, particularly at the senior end; they will go out of their way to make things easy for you.”
“The clerking is consistently very good, always responsive and commercially minded.”
“There is always someone available to speak to you, they are extremely helpful, and as an instructing solicitor I feel that I am in safe hands.”
“The clerks at this set are outstanding. Their response times are speedy, and they are always ready to offer alternatives or find solutions when there is an issue. They are accessible by phone and email, and I find that I can email any of them and get a helpful response.”
“1 Crown Office Row is superb, you are always in trusted hands even if not used the barrister before as the clerks excel at their job.”
“Good set of clerks, always responsive and make every effort to try to understand and tailor client needs to the right counsel.”
‘Experienced and likeable team of clerks. Matthew Phipps and Andrew Tull consistently make themselves very available. John Mclaren and Chloe Turvill are very capable and efficient, but really that filters down through the whole team.‘
‘I am always very impressed with this chambers. Their clerking service is one of the best and their service continued to be seamless despite the pandemic and the difficulties that brought with it.‘ ‘The service from the clerks is excellent. They are always helpful and accommodating.‘
‘The clerks, led by Matthew Phipps, are excellent and eminently sensible about capacity, experience and fees.‘ ‘The clerks’ room is friendly, efficient and slick. Andrew Tull is immensely popular, sensible and has a good sense for how to meet clients’ needs. Chloe Turvill has established herself as an excellent junior clerk.‘
‘Their clerking team do an amazing job and is one of the reasons I will come to them time and time again.‘
‘The clerks at 1 Crown Office Row are all excellent. Senior Clerk Matthew Phipps is excellent as are Andy Tull and Chloe Turvil. The clerks are always quick to get back to any queries and will bend over backwards to try and accommodate requests. These clerks are the best in the business.’
“Matthew Phipps leads the show and he is brilliant, but they are all excellent and if there’s anyone I can’t get hold of I know someone else will always step into the breach to help me.” “The clerks are very pleasant, responsive, helpful and delightful to work with.”
“The clerking service at 1 Crown Office Row is second to none. They are excellent, responsive, extremely personable and nothing is too much trouble. I know my case is in safe hands.”
His interests include gardening, horseracing, following most sports and wine.
