In the words of one client, 'for EU law matters, Blackstone Chambers is one of the best sets, able to offer the brightest, most highly skilled advocates', and the set houses specialists in jurisdiction issues, customs, sanctions, employment and immigration. Members are routinely instructed on the most innovative and significant cases in the English courts; as an example, Paul Luckhurst acted as sole counsel in Langton v DEFRA & Natural England, an important Court of Appeal case regarding the correct application of the Habitats Directive. Emily Neill had a particularly busy year which included acting in a £500m group litigation claim against Royal Mail for VAT “hidden” in the price of postal services under EU VAT rules. In Luxembourg, Brian Kennelly QC, leading Jason Pobjoy, successfully acted in Mohamed Hosni Elsayed Mubarak and others v Council of the European Union as the CJEU annulled sanctions imposed on the claimant. James Segan QC took silk in 2020.
European Union law in London Bar
Blackstone Chambers
Testimonials
Set
‘Really good chambers for all aspects of a commercial litigation practice.’
‘I enjoy working with barristers from Blackstone. The juniors are approachable and very easy to work with; they are enthusiastic and always keen to help. From my experience it is abundantly clear that they have particular strengths in aviation, European law and regulatory matters, but they have shown the ability to turn their hand to just about any dispute we can throw at them. There is real strength in depth at Blackstone and when our preferred Counsel is unavailable, Blackstone is never short of other options.‘
‘For EU law matters, Blackstone Chambers is one of the best sets, able to offer the brightest, most highly skilled (yet practical) advocates. Availability can, however, be a challenge and the clerks have a tendency to over-commit Counsel.’
‘Blackstone is without doubt one of the leading chambers for EU law. It has many leading practitioners and is a ‘go to’ chambers for Linklaters for instructions on EU as well as UK litigation cases.’
‘The go to set for European, public and administrative law.‘
Clerking
‘Danny Compton is great. Really hardworking.’
‘Marc Armstrong is excellent – always extremely helpful and responsive.’
‘The clerks at Blackstone are very helpful and good to work with. I have particular experience of working with Billy Brian, who is fantastic. Billy is always contactable and never fails to help me out at short notice when we need urgent assistance. He is friendly, personable and always professional.’
‘Very professional particularly Derek Sutton.’
‘Organised and punctual.’
Brick Court Chambers
When it comes to EU law, ‘there is no one to beat Brick Court Chambers for depth and level of expertise‘, as the set has an extensive pool of barristers of various levels of experience with expertise in a diverse range of areas. The set is instructed on numerous innovative cases in Luxembourg; James Flynn QC (leading Emma Mockford) is acting on behalf of the claimant before the CJEU in Sharpston v Council of the European Union and Representatives of the Governments of Member States, which concerns whether a British Advocate General of that court’s mandate was automatically terminated as a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Marie Demetriou QC is also acting in ongoing CJEU cases, including in PTC Therapeutics v European Medicines Agency, in which the court will rule on the relationship between commercial confidentiality and the public interest in disclosure of clinical trial data. Also in the CJEU, David Anderson QC represented former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and his family in a successful appeal against the imposition of EU economic sanctions. David Scannell QC, having taken silk in 2020, focuses on pharmaceutical and life science disputes.
Testimonials
Set
‘Very formal set. Superb across all levels for commercial, competition and public law.’
‘One of the three market leading EU sets, with a strong roster in both silks and juniors.‘
‘Very good strength in depth and a consistently strong quality of barrister.’
‘I find for EU work there is no one to beat Brick court chambers for depth and level of expertise.‘
‘Brick Court continues to be first rate, with counsel able to advise on a huge range of issues.‘
Clerking
‘The best clerking team around. Work hard to assist.’
‘Very professional and effective. Jo Francis particularly stands out.’
‘I have a lot of time for Tony Burgess, who I find particularly good to deal with and pragmatic.’
‘Tony Burgess and Luke Cavahlo are the clerks/practice managers with whom I communicate most at Brick Court. They are responsive and a pleasure to deal with. This level of client service is difficult to come by!‘
‘Great service. Jo Francis is amazing and always helpful.‘
Monckton Chambers
Undoubtedly a ‘go-to set for EU law‘, Monckton Chambers members include some of the most sought-after lawyers in the jurisdiction, and receive instructions from public bodies, private companies and individuals. The set’s strength in depth is demonstrated by members being instructed on all sides of Viasat v Inmarsat and Ofcom, a Court of Appeal case relating to Ofcom’s decision to grant an authorisation for the use of 2GHz spectrum to Inmarsat; Tim Ward QC acted for Inmarsat, Viasat was represented by Philip Moser QC, while Josh Holmes QC acted for Ofcom. As regards the European Courts, Gerry Facenna QC represented the UK before the CJEU in C-623/17 Privacy International which concerned the relationship between EU data protection laws and national security, while Ian Rogers QC has acted both for and against the UK government in the CJEU, in addition to appearing in EFTA Court. At the junior level, Ben Lask has experience acting unled on behalf of the UK government in CJEU preliminary references, while Brendan McGurk focuses on environmental law, phytosanitary regulation and tax issues. Anneli Howard QC took silk in 2021.
Testimonials
Set
‘Monckton remain my go-to set for EU law.’
‘I have the advantage of having worked with Monckton Chambers set for over a decade and the high quality of their junior Barristers and when required, the seamless way the team are able to coordinate their combined skills to best advantage has been a particular feature of this set.‘
‘High quality set for EU law/public law.’
‘Great quality advocates with very efficient clerking service.’
Clerking
‘David Hockney appears very well organised and capable.’
‘Quietly and unobtrusively efficient.’
‘Efficient and approachable.’
‘Excellent – very proactive.’
39 Essex Chambers
A number of members of 39 Essex Chambers advise extensively on EU law. Timothy Lyons QC has a strong reputation for EU customs issues, in addition to representing professional bodies in relation to EU money laundering directive. Fellow silk Deok Joo Rhee QC is representing the trustees in Bankruptcy in Case C-168/20 Joint Trustees in Bankruptcy of Mr M, a case pending before the CJEU regarding the compliance of UK insolvency law under EU freedom of establishment and citizenship provisions. As regards juniors, Katherine Apps represented European Public Service Unions as sole counsel before the CJEU.
Testimonials
Clerking
‘The clerks have been very helpful in my dealings with them.’
‘They are excellent. Alastair Davidson in particular.‘
Matrix Chambers
Members of Matrix Chambers represent clients at both UK and EU level, and in recent years have been instructed on a number of high-profile cases. Rhodri Thompson QC represented an applicant in a judicial review of Secretary of State for Transport's decision to reject bids in the 2019 rail franchising round due to non-compliance with pensions requirements, the judgment in which was handed down in July 2020. David Wolfe QC focuses on EU law as it relates to environmental regulation, often working alongside Jessica Simor QC on fisheries and animal welfare-themed matters. The set also includes some impressive juniors such as Takis Tridimas, who regularly appears in Luxembourg in relation to banking, corporate taxation and fundamental rights. Eleni Mitrophanous QC is a 2020 silk appointment.