European Law

Alan Bates is a highly regarded barrister who has a broad European law practice encompassing competition, telecommunications, public procurement and state aid topics.

"Alan Bates can be relied to give top-class advice. He has a full deck of cards when it comes to legal expertise and is very responsive."

"Alan Bates is thorough, diligent and good at quietly but persistently getting points across."

Anneli Howard KC stands out for her work in key cases that seek to clarify aspects of the Brexit process and the UK's ongoing relationship with the EU. She advises government bodies, NGOs and private companies on the impact of Brexit on various areas of UK regulation. She also acts on both sides of judicial review applications brought against decisions made by transport, utilities and medicines regulators.

"Anneli Howard KC is very entrepreneurial. She helps you to build the case and get it off the ground, rolls her sleeves up and gets stuck in - she is marvellous."

"Anneli Howard KC is incredibly smart, user-friendly and just an excellent barrister to work with."

Daniel Beard KC is an outstanding barrister who is a particularly popular choice for competition law-based telecommunications regulatory appeals. He advises on data protection cases and high-profile state aid appeals heard before the CJEU, and also earns praise for his handling of Francovich damages claims.

"Daniel Beard KC is a hands-on barrister with superb client-handling skills."

"Daniel Beard KC is one of the sharpest and best advocates I have worked with over the years."

Gerry Facenna KC receives consistently strong praise for his work on significant European law mandates. He took a prominent role in the legal wrangling following the Brexit referendum, both through his co-authorship of the 'Three Knights Opinion' and his appearance in the Wightman reference. Facenna also advises on energy sector state aid, employee benefits and data protection cases that are heard before EU courts.

"Gerry has a nice style in court."

Ian Rogers KC has advised in a number of cases relating to the compatibility of plain packaging rules or bans on tobacco products with EU law, as well as other disputes regarding imported products. He frequently acts for UK government departments on advisory or contentious topics.

"Ian Rogers KC is at ease with the complex interface of domestic UK law and European law post-Brexit."

Josh Holmes KC regularly acts for the UK government and for the European Commission, drawing on his former experience working within the ECJ to handle numerous important cases. He is adept a handling cases in defence of Commission competition decisions.

"Josh Holmes KC is a cutting-edge competition law specialist."

Robert Palmer KC advises on tax matters, telecommunications disputes and freedom of movement cases brought against the EC. He also assists with judicial reviews of UK regulatory decisions.

"Robert Palmer KC is good at cutting through complex markets and regulatory environments."

Tim Ward KC often advises on EU law-based appeals against decisions made by UK telecoms, tax or health and safety regulators. He has experience in diverse cases heard before the CJEU and before domestic courts.

"Tim Ward KC is particularly good with client management and has a really good sense of strategic ways of approaching a case."

"Tim Ward KC is one of our first-choice barristers for anything EU or public law related. He is enormously bright, engaging and a great advocate."

George Peretz KC advises on complex issues in claims relating to the authorisation of medicines across multiple EU member states. He has experience in the defence of Francovich damages claims brought by companies seeking to rely on EU Common Agricultural Policy rules. Peretz is also well known for his trade, customs and state aid expertise.

"George Peretz KC has excellent knowledge of the medicines legislative framework."

"George Peretz KC is the very definition of a sophisticated silk."

Jack Williams has acted in a number of momentous cases before the EU courts and has advised various public bodies on the implications of Brexit. Williams has established himself as a particular authority on the emerging area of EU relations law.

"Jack Williams is one of the leading voices of Brexit law in the UK."

Jon Turner KC has a leading EU-based competition law practice, and acts in cases concerning telecommunications, environmental issues and financial services. He also assists in relation to pharmaceutical damages claims and infringement decisions against banks in the European courts.

"Jon Turner KC is incredibly authoritative and is brilliant on his feet."

"Jon Turner KC is a fantastic advocate."

Kassie Smith KC has experience in a variety of ECJ cases, including recent mandates that challenge European Commission decisions on genetically modified crops or that hold the UK to account for its failure to meet EU environmental targets.

"Kassie Smith KC is a trusted advocate, is incredibly smooth in court and always adds amazing value."

Philip Moser KC attracts praise for his public procurement, competition law and sanctions expertise. He advises on a wide range of EU law issues, including Francovich damages.

"Philip Moser KC is suavely erudite on complex European issues."

"Philip Moser KC has top-notch expertise and is an effective advocate."

Brendan McGurk KC is a recently appointed silk and regularly acts in disputes at the European level relating to animal welfare and chemicals regulation, as well as direct and indirect tax.

"Brendan McGurk KC is a fierce but charming and meticulous advocate who time and time again produces results."

"Brendan McGurk KC is an exceptional barrister. His ability to quickly assimilate detail is second to none, and clients are universally impressed by him."