Telecommunications | UK Bar

A very highly regarded chambers with an outstanding bench of silks and juniors, Blackstone Chambers offers an array of expertise in telecoms matters, handling commercial disputes as well as competition and regulatory matters. The barristers frequently represent significant service providers, consumers and regulators before the High Court, the Commercial Court and the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Demonstrating great expertise in EU law, the set regularly advises service providers on EU laws and regulations and the compatibility of Ofcom regulations with EU Directives. The lawyers are further proficient in handling intellectual property disputes for multinational technology companies and in providing representation in relation to FRAND licensing. Members also regularly advise on fixed-line and mobile networks, as well as internet-related matters relevant to telecommunications, including by-pass, interconnection and VoIP issues. One interviewee notes: "Blackstone has expertise in very technical and heavily regulated sectors, and is able to distil arguments and information to clients and judges in a compelling and straightforward manner."

Derek Sutton is the senior clerk and Mat Swallow is chambers director.

Monckton Chambers handles the full spread of telecommunications law work and is particularly well known for its strength in competition cases. It is a strong choice for advice on reforming telecoms legislation and for representation in regulatory disputes, and further boasts intellectual property expertise, having appeared in numerous key cases relating to standard-essential patents in the technology sector. Its members have noted EU law expertise and are known for their adroit handling of EU competition law cases, as well as their superior advice on EU regulatory frameworks. The barristers' clients include significant telecoms companies, content providers, and both UK and overseas regulatory bodies including Ofcom. Monckton Chambers acted for Which? on an abuse of dominance claim against Qualcomm in the Competition Appeal Tribunal. An interviewee comments: "We regularly use Monckton on knotty telecoms regulatory and competition law issues. They have remarkable specialist expertise and knowledge of market practice in these areas."

David Hockney and John Keegan are the senior clerks.

Brick Court Chambers is a highly esteemed commercial set which provides high-end advice and representation in a broad range of matters in the telecommunications sphere. It can boast significant expertise in competition matters and frequently represents telecoms operators before the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Barristers at the set are also regularly instructed by telecoms companies to appeal Ofcom decisions, and are further proficient in handling cases that involve both telecommunications and intellectual property elements, such as those concerning the meaning of FRAND. The set possesses further expertise in both UK and Irish telecommunications law. Recent highlights include Motorola Mobility v Ericsson.

Devereux is a highly respected chambers whose barristers handle a broad variety of telecommunications cases, including commercial as well as competition and regulatory law matters. Its members demonstrate notable expertise in disputes concerning the new Electronic Communications Code and frequently represent clients before the Upper Tribunal. This expertise extends to acting for clients from the real estate sector on issues arising as a result of the transition between the old and the new Electronic Communications Codes. Barristers at the set are also active in cases relating to Artificial Inflation of Traffic and its contractual consequences. The set's varied client base includes both UK-based and overseas mobile service providers, as well as infrastructure service companies. One client notes: "Devereux has strong expertise and the ability to summarise advice in an easy-to-understand way."

Glenn Billenness is the director of clerking.

Falcon Chambers is a market-leading real estate set that leverages its property law expertise into telecommunications sector disputes. Its barristers act in cases at the intersection of property law and telecoms, and regularly advise landowners and service providers with regard to the application of the new Electronic Communications Code, with one interviewee noting: "They have barristers who are truly Code experts and seem to act in the majority of Code decisions." Their broad-based expertise encompasses cases relating to the installation of electronic communications apparatus, as well as matters concerning lease renewals and equipment allocations. Both silks and juniors frequently appear before the Upper Tribunal, as well as the Court of Appeal.

Johnathan Stannard is the senior clerk.