Chris Watson

Practice Areas

Chris Watson is one of the world’s leading communications law experts. He is Chair of the Management Board of the CMS Technology, Media and Communications sector group, and was previously Head of the group for eight years.

He focuses on international commercial matters in TMC, particularly in areas where competition and regulation overlap, and on EU law arising in cross-border and complex transactions.

Ranked by Chambers and Partners as Band 1 for Telecommunications in the UK, Chris is described by clients and contacts as "exceptionally bright", boasting an "amazingly international practice". Sources told Chambers and Partners: "He is very knowledgeable on telecoms regulation and competition law, and one of the nicest people you could ever meet."

He also has extensive experience in other regulated network sectors such as postal, electricity and other utilities and as well as broad experience on commercial, corporate, and financial matters.

Chris is a sought after speaker and is frequently quoted in the media. He is a past member of the governing Council of the International Bar Association (IBA), chair of its Diversity Council and a past chairman of the Communications Law Committee. He is a member of the techUK Communications Infrastructure and Services Council. Chris's memberships also include Supreme Court of England and Wales, and the Paris Bar.

Professional Memberships

Council Member, International Bar Association

Work Highlights

The World Bank on drafting, analysing and explaining the value of digital identity legislation and programmes for several African countries.

HP Inc. on the $1bn+ purchase of Samsung’s global printer business.

Liberty Global on the sale of its direct-to-home satellite TV operations in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia to M7 Group.

CityFibre, the UK’s largest alternative provider of wholesale fibre network infrastructure, on a partnership with Vodafone to deliver ultra-fast Gigabit-capable full fibre broadband to up to 5 million homes and businesses across the UK by 2025.

Apollo Global Management on the European aspects of its acquisition of Phoenix Services International, LLC, a leading global provider of industrial technology services to steel mills.

Bahraini Telecommunications Regulatory Authority on regulatory issues regarding their National Broadband Network.

Cinven LLP on its bid to acquire a controlling stake in Telekom Slovenije.

The World Bank in relation to reform of the Lebanese telecommunications law, including drafting the new Law and Decrees in English and in French.

Macquarie Communications Infrastructure Group on the acquisition of NTL’s broadcast business for a purchase price of GBP 1.27bn.

T-Mobile/One2One in relation to the inquiry by Oftel and the Competition Commission into the charges made by UK mobile operators for call termination.

National Grid on the replacement of its electricity operational telecommunications assets.

KPNQwest on the rollout of its pan-European network (including property, IT procurement and issues relating to co-ordination with other operators) and drafting sales contracts for sale of fibre, capacity and services on the network.

The Communications and Information Technology Commission, the Saudi Arabian telecommunications regulator, on the successful auction of a second GSM licence and, separately, of voice and data licences for a global consideration of USD 3.5bn.

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority in Hong Kong on the 3G licensing process.

The Jordan Telecommunications Regulatory Commission on the implementation of a new licensing/regulatory system.

Education