Matrix Chambers is set to open a new base in Geneva, marking the first step of its international strategy.

The office is due to open in the autumn as part of a sister brand, Matrix International, which will consolidate the range of international work Matrix carries out across various jurisdictions.

Two academic members will be based in Geneva – professor Zachary Douglas, who specialises in public international law and arbitration, and professor Andrew Clapham, an international human rights specialist.

In addition, four new members are joining Matrix, including former Court of Appeal judge Sir Anthony Hooper. Hooper has prosecuted and defended in a number of high-profile criminal trials and appeared at the European Court of Justice and the Cour d'Appel de Paris. In his judicial roles he sat in the Queen's Bench Division, and will play a key role in developing Matrix International.

The other new members include Phillippa Kaufmann QC, who joins from Doughty Street Chambers, and Hugh Southey QC who joins from Tooks Chambers.

Kaufmann took silk in 2011 and specialises in public and private law, including actions against the police and public authorities, inquiries and inquests, international law and media and defamation, while Southey took silk in 2010 and specialises in public law in the fields of human rights, prison law, inquiries and inquests, crime, extradition, mental health, terrorism, immigration, discrimination and elections.

Eloise Le Santo is also joining Matrix after completing her traineeship with the set.

Matrix chief executive Lindsay Scott said: "Switzerland makes sense for us – the UN is there and we have members who work in commercial arbitration there but most importantly it gives us a European base. We are starting small but hope to expand it. We are also very excited about having our new members on board."