The barristers at Blackstone Chambers often represent the likes of Vodafone and Ofcom, among other major communication operators and regulators in the space. James Segan KC is representing Lenovo in InterDigital v Lenovo, a global FRAND licensing action in connection with Motorola and Lenovo smartphones. Segan is also acting for the Chinese technology company in IP Bridge v Huawei, another high-profile FRAND licensing action in relation to Huawei mobile devices. Acting for Three UK, Brian Kennelly KC reached a successful outcome, having the General Court annul the Commission’s decision to block a merger between Three UK and O2 UK, estimated at £10.25 billion.
Telecoms Regulation in
London BarBlackstone Chambers
Testimonials
Set
‘Blackstone has an extremely strong roster of counsel, all of whom are impressive.‘
‘Blackstone is one of the go-to chambers for Telecoms regulatory and competition matters.’
‘They have a wealth of senior and junior Counsel with relevant experience, all of whom are more than capable.’
Clerking
‘Excellent. Billy Brian is, in particular, responsive and easy to deal with.‘
‘User friendly and flexible on fees.‘
‘Excellent. Responsive and helpful at all times. Understand clients needs and react accordingly.‘
Monckton Chambers
Considered a ‘specialist’ set for regulatory issues, the members at Monckton Chambers regularly act for Ofcom, mobile and fixed line telecommunications companies, and broadcasters. In CityFibre v Ofcom, Josh Holmes KC is acting for the claimant on an appeal to challenge Ofcom’s decision to approve a BT discount scheme for fibre broadband products, adversely affecting an investment by the claimant in a new fibre network targeting UK cities. In Google v European Commission, Meredith Pickford KC represented Google, appearing before the General Court of the European Union to appeal against the largest ever fine imposed by the Commission, a €4.34 billion sanction concerning the licensing of the Android operating system. In addition, Robert Palmer KC advised the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport in its development of a legislative act intended to strip Huawei equipment out of telecom provider’s 5G networks.
Testimonials
Set
‘Monckton is a specialist and market leader in regulatory and competition law, in particular in relation to telecoms.‘
‘Great strength in depth at Monckton – a suite of top class competition and regulatory law barristers at various levels of experience.‘
‘Monckton are a top set, particularly for regulatory and competition work.‘
‘They have amazing strength in depth and are up to standard, on time and on budget, no surprises, every time.‘
‘Monckton Chambers are a leading set in telecoms work.‘
Clerking
‘The clerks are helpful and able to forge good relationships with clients.‘
‘The clerks have been particularly efficient and helpful. Most of our interaction has been with Steven Duffet who has been prompt, pro-active and efficient.‘
‘The clerks as super efficient and super helpful. David Hockney and John Keegan are each superb.’
Devereux
With a spread between regulatory and non-regulatory issues, the barristers at Devereux are noted for their role in commercial disputes involving telecom providers, regulatory appeals, Electronic Communications Code issues, and IT matters. Among other highlights, Graham Read KC represented EE and Hutchinson 3G in EE and H3G v Stephenson & AP Wireless II Ltd, involving a preliminary issue with regard to what needs to be alleged under Part 5 of the ECC, after the claimants sought to terminate an existing agreement. Led by Read, Georgina Hirsch acted for BT in BT & TalkTalk v Ofcom, concerning an alleged breach of an obligation to have ethernet product prices based on a cost orientation formula.
Blackstone Chambers
Testimonials
Set
‘Blackstone has an extremely strong roster of counsel, all of whom are impressive.‘
‘Blackstone is one of the go-to chambers for Telecoms regulatory and competition matters.’
‘They have a wealth of senior and junior Counsel with relevant experience, all of whom are more than capable.’
Clerking
‘Excellent. Billy Brian is, in particular, responsive and easy to deal with.‘
‘User friendly and flexible on fees.‘
‘Excellent. Responsive and helpful at all times. Understand clients needs and react accordingly.‘
Monckton Chambers
Considered a ‘specialist’ set for regulatory issues, the members at Monckton Chambers regularly act for Ofcom, mobile and fixed line telecommunications companies, and broadcasters. In CityFibre v Ofcom, Josh Holmes KC is acting for the claimant on an appeal to challenge Ofcom’s decision to approve a BT discount scheme for fibre broadband products, adversely affecting an investment by the claimant in a new fibre network targeting UK cities. In Google v European Commission, Meredith Pickford KC represented Google, appearing before the General Court of the European Union to appeal against the largest ever fine imposed by the Commission, a €4.34 billion sanction concerning the licensing of the Android operating system. In addition, Robert Palmer KC advised the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport in its development of a legislative act intended to strip Huawei equipment out of telecom provider’s 5G networks.
Testimonials
Set
‘Monckton is a specialist and market leader in regulatory and competition law, in particular in relation to telecoms.‘
‘Great strength in depth at Monckton – a suite of top class competition and regulatory law barristers at various levels of experience.‘
‘Monckton are a top set, particularly for regulatory and competition work.‘
‘They have amazing strength in depth and are up to standard, on time and on budget, no surprises, every time.‘
‘Monckton Chambers are a leading set in telecoms work.‘
Clerking
‘The clerks are helpful and able to forge good relationships with clients.‘
‘The clerks have been particularly efficient and helpful. Most of our interaction has been with Steven Duffet who has been prompt, pro-active and efficient.‘
‘The clerks as super efficient and super helpful. David Hockney and John Keegan are each superb.’
Devereux
With a spread between regulatory and non-regulatory issues, the barristers at Devereux are noted for their role in commercial disputes involving telecom providers, regulatory appeals, Electronic Communications Code issues, and IT matters. Among other highlights, Graham Read KC represented EE and Hutchinson 3G in EE and H3G v Stephenson & AP Wireless II Ltd, involving a preliminary issue with regard to what needs to be alleged under Part 5 of the ECC, after the claimants sought to terminate an existing agreement. Led by Read, Georgina Hirsch acted for BT in BT & TalkTalk v Ofcom, concerning an alleged breach of an obligation to have ethernet product prices based on a cost orientation formula.