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(020) 7379 3550Chambers Review
Brick Court Chambers, praised for its "deep bench of top-tier practitioners," has continued to attract instruction in many of the key EU law matters to have arisen in recent years, including questions of jurisdiction, and litigation influencing or influenced by the convoluted process of the UK's exit from the bloc. The set is also home to some of the leading authorities on the enforceability of EU sanctions. The barristers, praised as being "fantastically bright and invariably practical," assist life sciences or chemical sector companies with applications concerning European Commission or UK regulatory decisions, and have previously handled UK or European proceedings that examined HMRC's application of various elements of EU taxation law. This is all in addition to its market-leading competition practice, which takes in the most prominent Commission decision appeals and follow-on damages claims, and major cases on state aid. Recent matters include representing Meta in relation to its application to annul a Commission decision under the new Digital Markets Act, and acting for Visa in a claim against Euronet 360 for a breach of Article 101.
Paul Dennison and Tony Burgess are the senior clerks.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Brick Court Chambers' clerks are very responsive and knowledgeable."
"Brick Court Chambers' clerks are very responsive and knowledgeable."
Notable Practitioners
David Anderson KC has an outstanding reputation in the EU law field that is built on vast experience representing clients before the CJEU or UK courts. He attracts attention for his work in cases that examine the commercial impact of Brexit. He advises on a wide range of other topics, including CJEU challenges to decisions made by the EU pharmaceutical sector regulator.
"David Anderson KC is absolutely first class. He is incredibly calm and measured in submissions to court and expresses himself brilliantly in front of judges."
Marie Demetriou KC is a highly acclaimed practitioner who advises clients on EU asylum rights as well as representing them in a number of European law judicial review challenges. She also has a leading competition and state aid practice, in addition to regularly assisting clients with jurisdictional matters.
"Maris Demetriou KC is very calm and has an authoritative presence in hearings."
"Maris Demetriou KC is very smart and is an impressive performer in court."
Aidan Robertson KC frequently acts for corporate claimants seeking to challenge decisions made by government departments on the allocation of EU funding. He advises on state aid appeals brought by EU member states or financial services companies.
"Aidan Robertson KC is a real specialist in European law."
David Scannell KC is particularly active in EU pharmaceutical and chemical industry matters, often appearing for companies seeking to challenge regulatory decisions before the CJEU. He also regularly takes on EU competition law mandates.
"David Scannell KC is exceptional. He is always available, manages to identify key issues and provides pragmatic advice."
"Davis Scannell KC turns every single page and has excellent attention to detail - nothing is lost on him."
"He is superb counsel. He's very easy to work with."
Jemima Stratford KC is best known for her work in financial services and pharmaceutical sector cases, having handled recent claims that raise questions regarding the release of confidential clinical data, the mutual recognition of medicine authorisations across EU jurisdictions or the cross-border enforcement of IP rights. She has also defended UK public bodies in Francovich damages claims.
"Jemima Stratford KC isferociously intelligent and really meticulously prepared."
"Jemima Stratford KC is a practical, balanced and very experienced barrister."
Maya Lester KC attracts considerable attention both for her sanctions practice and for her work in key CJEU referral cases, as well as her involvement in the leading Brexit-related litigation. She has advised in commercial disputes arising within the sensitive context of conflicting sanctions regimes. She also appeals EC competition decisions before the CJEU and assists with important cases on the execution of European arrest warrants.
"I find Maya Lester KC's responsiveness extraordinary and the level of her drafting is very high. She turns difficult situations into very easy-to-understand concepts, which I think is a rare skill."
"Maya Lester KC goes above and beyond. She is bright, supportive and engaging with all issues in front of her."
Tim Johnston has notable experience in state aid cases that examine investment in the future of EU energy markets. His broader expertise encompasses complex telecommunications appeals and competition law matters, and he has also assisted on matters relating to refugee rights under EU law.
"Tim Johnston provides strong and reliable legal advice on complex matters, and communicates legal concepts and facts with ease and conviction."
"Tim Johnston is an excellent junior. He has great technical knowledge of EU law and is a very safe pair of hands on drafting."
"Tim Johnston picks up matters quickly, and is practical and good to work with."
Called to the Irish Bar, Charlotte Thomas has acted before the European courts in an impressive number of cases centring on pharmaceutical licensing, competition and financial services matters.
"Charlotte Thomas is very client-friendly, thorough, analytical and has good a manner in negotiations."
"Charlotte is a very strong junior and is great to work with."
Daniel Jowell KC represents both claimants and defendants in EU competition law matters, and also has experience in state aid matters. He is an experienced practitioner in commercial jurisdictional challenges in matters pertaining to the Brussels Regulation.
"Daniel Jowell KC has an encyclopedic knowledge of competition law and is an effective advocate in the EU context."
"Daniel Jowell KC has a deep expertise and a fantastic sense for what will work in court."
Emily MacKenzie attracts attention for her work in important UK or EU claims on behalf of companies in the pharmaceutical sector. She also stands out for her experience of raising state aid arguments in cases dealing with the enforcement of arbitral awards. She has assisted on matters relating to free movement rights under the EEA Agreement.
"Emily MacKenzie is a very bright and efficient barrister."
James Flynn KC has a busy European practice focusing on competition law but also taking cases in other areas, such as Client Earth v European Investment Bank, and Eleanor Sharpston KC's challenge to her removal as Advocate General.
"James Flynn KC provides clear and quick advice on complicated matters, showing excellent judgement and understanding of EU law."
"James Flynn KC did an excellent job on the intersection of EU and competition law. He was very good at explaining complicated legal issues and making his views digestible."
Victoria Wakefield KC possesses experience in a broad range of EU law issues. She acts in CJEU referrals that help domestic courts to interpret EU law on financial services regulation or the freedom to provide services. Much of Wakefield's wider practice is rooted in the EU law-derived principles of competition law and data protection.
"Victoria Wakefield KC is incredibly bright, hard-working, available and really good at breaking down complex points into digestible ones."
"Victoria Wakefield KC is absolutely superb. She is exceptionally clever and quick, while also being down to earth and likeable - I really enjoy working with her."
Emma Mockford is developing a strong practice at the intersection of admin and European law. She is noted for her expertise in post-Brexit litigation, having appeared in cases about the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement.
"Emma can easily gain the trust of the client and can present complex aspects to the court well."
"She is outstanding and going to the top. She is sensible and hard-working and a good advocate."
"She is extremely talented."