Department profile
Monckton Chambers

European Law

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Monckton Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

European Law - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Many of Monckton Chambers' key areas of practice are grounded in its members' superb understanding of EU law principles. The UK government frequently instructs barristers from the chambers in cases concerning state aid, European Commission cartel decisions, taxation and customs. The barristers, praised by one source for their "exceptional ability to grasp the nub of specific issues and advocacy skills which are second to none" represent corporations and individuals in matters of the types listed above, and in litigation relating to industry sector regulation, free movement, data protection and other issues. Another source highlights the barristers as being "extremely bright, user-friendly and commercial". Recent highlights include successfully defending Illumina against a EUR400 million EU Commission fine, and representing Google in its appeal against the European Commission's EUR1.5 billion fine decision.

David Hockney and John Keegan are the senior clerks.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerking team are by far and away the most commercial and entrepreneurial team you will come across, their recommendations are superb.

    European Law respondentUK Bar
  • Chris O'Brian is just achingly commercial and super responsive, he really knows his chambers. When we need something he is there and willing to speak to his team and get it done.

    European Law respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks provide a first-class service. With particular praise for Steven Duffett, the clerks are always very personable and prepared to go that extra mile to find solutions.

    European Law respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking team is great, David Hockney and Steven Duffett are good and responsive. They are good at helping when you have an emergency and need someone at short notice.

    European Law respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Alan Bates
    Band 1Alan Bates

    Alan Bates

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

    • Alan is a proper EU lawyer, both solicitors and clients like him. He is very calm, pleasant and collaborative to work with.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Anneli Howard
    Band 1Anneli Howard

    Anneli Howard

    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 is very technically-minded and sensible with commercial strategy.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
    • She is an absolute star and wonderfully brilliant. She started at Freshfields, so she is client-focused and incredibly hard-working.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Daniel Beard
    Band 1Daniel Beard

    Daniel Beard

    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 is very knowledgeable and always an energetic advocate in court. He will pursue points doggedly.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
    • He's a first-rate advocate, ferociously intelligent but very user-friendly, and good at building rapport with the judge.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
    • Daniel is immensely experienced before the European courts on very high-profile matters. He's very clever and a great advocate, he has quite a low-key but persuasive manner.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
    • His intellectual capacity, ability to manage clients and work with a team are second to none. If I could have him for every case I would.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Gerry Facenna
    Band 1Gerry Facenna

    Gerry Facenna

    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.

    • He is absolutely fantastic, a brilliant advocate who knows everything about EU law. He is extremely good in court and very diligent; one of the best public and EU lawyers there is at the Bar.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
    • Gerry is unbelievable, he's totally on top of his game. He makes it look effortless, he never once loses his thread or confidence.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
    • Gerry is preeminent, he is the perfect choice for a leader. He is fearsomely bright, smart, fair and unbelievably effective.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Ian Rogers KC
    Band 1Ian Rogers KC

    Ian Rogers KC

    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.

    • I cannot speak highly enough of Ian and his excellent and erudite knowledge on Europe, especially post-Brexit. He is known by judges to be an expert, so he has their ear during litigation.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Josh Holmes
    Band 1Josh Holmes

    Josh Holmes

    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.

  • Band 1Robert Palmer
    Band 1Robert Palmer

    Robert Palmer

    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.

  • Band 1Tim Ward
    Band 1Tim Ward

    Tim Ward

    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.

    • He has vast experience of European law, telecoms, human rights and public law. His advocacy is great, calm, concise and clear. He's not ruffled by curveballs, he is ready, prepared and extremely good.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
    • He has enormous experience and is a fantastic advocate, one of the strongest I've ever seen. He's appropriately feisty, very intelligent and builds good rapport with the judge.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
    • Tim is brilliant, extremely strategic, easy to use, and client-friendly. He is high on the list for people I want at all times, I love him.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2George Peretz
    Band 2George Peretz

    George Peretz

    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.

    • He is a very seasoned EU lawyer, having been involved in most of the big cases. He brings clarity to the obscure when dealing with the EU framework.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
    • George is an EU expert, he's a withdrawal agreement nerd. He knows how the sector works and is a very effective opponent with a depth of knowledge in technical areas.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Jack Williams
    Band 2Jack Williams

    Jack Williams

    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.

  • Band 2Jon Turner
    Band 2Jon Turner

    Jon Turner

    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 has a very good technical background and knowledge. He knows the area very well, he's a very organised, calm advocate who gets the points over very clearly.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Kassie Smith
    Band 2Kassie Smith

    Kassie Smith

    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.

    • She is extremely organised, and has a clear and direct advocacy. She's a team player and listens to good points and distills them down. I would definitely work with her again.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Philip Moser
    Band 2Philip Moser

    Philip Moser

    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 has outstanding advocacy skills. Each word he speaks is considered and achieves maximum resonance with the court. His commercial acumen only enhances his legal advice.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Brendan McGurk
    Band 3Brendan McGurk

    Brendan McGurk

    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 is exceptional bright, his ability to quickly assimilate complex detail is second to none. He adds real value and consistently achieves tangibly good results in complex matters.

      European Law respondentUK Bar
    • I would recommend Brendan massively. He's the complete package; he is really user friendly, always makes time and engages on the nuances of a case.

      European Law respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Monckton Chambers (14)

London (Bar)

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