Keating Chambers

Simon Taylor is an experienced procurement and competition specialist with a background in EU law. He was called to the Bar in 1987 but left to study in Brussels and re-qualified as a solicitor. After more than 20 years practising in Brussels and London, including seven years as a partner in a leading law firm, he returned to the Bar in 2012 and joined Keating Chambers.

His practice focuses on public procurement, competition law, subsidy control and the regulation of public bodies. He is a member of the Attorney General's A Panel and regularly advises and represents Government Departments, most recently acting for the Ministry of Defence in Ecolog v MOD.

He has particular expertise in NHS procurement, the regulation of network industries and public law and competition issues arising from procurements.

Simon has been involved in the development of procurement law throughout his career, from Severn Trent v Dwr Cymru in 2000, to advising the Department of Health on the development of patient choice and competition in the NHS during the 2000s and more recently acting for HS2 in the landmark cases, Bechtel Ltd v HS2 Ltd and Siemens Mobility Ltd v HS2 Ltd.

Simon acts for both contracting authorities and bidders in procurement disputes and regularly advises on procurement strategy, tender processes and contract awards. He also acts as a mediator.

Simon is recognised for his technical expertise, commercial judgement and practical, user-friendly approach to complex disputes.

Called 1987; pupillage 2 Temple Gardens 1987-88; associate Squire Sanders & Dempsey (Brussels) 1990-92; Norton Rose (Brussels) 1992-96; regulatory counsel Cable & Wireless Communications 1996-2000; solicitor 1999; associate Allen & Overy 2000-04; antitrust partner Wragge & Co 2004-11; Keating Chambers 2012.

French, Spanish

Procurement Lawyers Association
Royal Society of Arts
Society of Labour Lawyers
Association of London Welsh Lawyers

Magdalen College, University of Oxford (1986 BA Hons jurisprudence); Université Libre de Bruxelles (1990 Licence Spéciale en droit communautaire in French grande distinction).

Simon enjoys the theatre, travel, hillwalking, skiing, rugby, food and wine.