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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.