Chambers UK, 2008

Chambers UK 2008 made 41 recommendations over 9 fields.  

Administrative & Public Law ~ Other Notable Sets

Clients speak highly of Tim Ward of Monckton Chambers, describing him as "a determined advocate who's knowledgeable, user-friendly and attentive to detail."  "Of all the junior counsel we've worked with, he's the best," said one client.  He has a broad practice, which incorporates litigation in European, competition, public and tax law.  He recently appeared in R (British Casino Association) v Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, a pending challenge to the new regulatory regime for casinos. 

Competition and EU ~ Leading Set

Universally acknowledged to be "one of the best sets in the UK," Monckton Chambers is firmly established as a formidable competition and antitrust powerhouse.  "Very meticulous and detail-oriented," figures in the market note that the set "does a lot of representation for the OFT."  Commentators also observe that "Monckton has a high calibre of juniors," and praise its "excellent advisory work."  One interviewee suggested that "the set currently seems to have a real edge, both because of the breadth and depth of the talent and because of its responsiveness."  The "excellent to deal with" Paul Lasok QC is a highly rated and deeply experienced figure whose recent cases have included JJB Sports v OFT before the Court of Appeal, which raised various issues regarding unlawful cartel.  Nicholas Paines QC is a "genuinely high-quality barrister" whose two decades of experience in EU law have seen him handle more than 50 cases before the ECJ, including a number of landmark actions.  Peter Roth QC has enjoyed a "phenomenal year," having acted for AAH in the major Pfizer case.  "A very prominent name due to his OFT work," his "forensic and intellectual presentation skills" make him a "highly tenacious, first-class advocate."  He recently acted successfully in Attheraces Ltd v British Horseracing Board, a major Court of Appeal case in which abuse of dominance was alleged.  "Meticulous and determined" Christopher Vajda QC is regarded by contemporaries as "a real roll up your sleeves kind of guy."  Industrious and in possession of "first-class intellectual skills," he is noted for his "excellent knowledge of broadcasting issues." "Very good for EU law,"  Sir Jeremy Lever QC is considered to be a practitioner "at the top of his profession."  "Charming and affable" John Swift QC is an experienced counsel who has regularly acted for the Competition Commission.  He is recommended as "especially strong at EC-level work."  "A brilliant mind for CAT cases," Jon Turner QC is hailed as "an outstanding competition specialist" whose work for the regulatory authorities has seen him build an exemplary reputation as "perhaps the brightest of the new crop of silks."  Rupert Anderson QC is "very experienced" and has a strong client portfolio.  He recently acted in Floe v Ofcom, a case that dealt with complex issues surrounding Chapter II prohibition and telecoms directives.  "Perceptive and effective," Daniel Beard is praised by peers and clients alike for his "commercial, personable and proactive approach" and "wide breadth of knowledge" in the competition sector.  Focusing exclusively on commercial/European law issues, Philip Moser joined the set from Hailsham Chambers in 2006.  His areas of expertise include Article 81 and 82 competition issues, and in this regard he has recently advised a government agency entering the commercial market.  George Peretz comes "seriously recommended" as a highly talented and increasingly prominent competition barrister, who sources consider to be "a rising star."  Kassie Smith is a practical and direct counsel with a broad armoury of knowledge in the competition sector.  One impressed source explained: "Her written advice is clear and thorough, and she doesn't sit on the fence."  A regular performer before the CAT, Paul Harris is a gifted competition lawyer whose cases include Chester CC v Arriva, a case concerning Chapter II of the Competition Act, flooding and predatory pricing.  "Articulate and clever," Meredith Pickford's "high-quality work" before the CAT and the High Court has helped him build a powerful reputation.  Known as a competition lawyer with real commercial nous, he is perceived as increasingly visible in prominent cases.  Tim Ward maintains an active practice in both competition and EU law.  Regarded as "doing more and more work for the competition authorities," he has also appeared frequently before the European Court of Justice.  His recent work includes Healthcare at Home v Genzyme, an action for competition damages before the CAT.  Josh Holmes is a barrister who inspires real respect amongst contemporaries for his superlative handling of competition issues and deeply professional approach.  One peer observed that "he's unflappable and really knows his stuff."  The "excellent and very pragmatic" Anneli Howard is praised as "especially good on leniency issues."  Her competition work has led to appearances before the CAT, the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords, whilst her European law practice regularly sees her act before the Community Courts in Luxembourg. Ben Rayment maintains a broad practice that takes in general competition, state aid and public procurement.  He recently acted in Association of Convenience Stores v OFT, the first application for review under the provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002, regarding the OFT's decision not to investigate the supermarket sector.  Clients explain that he "displays strong intelligence and determination, and provides very persuasive arguments."

 Construction ~ Other Notable Sets

With one of the more unusual caseloads in the market, Michael Bowsher QC of Monckton Chambers largely plies his trade in procurement - much of which touches on the construction of public or utility projects.  He appeared in the TCC in the case of Village Homes v NE Derbyshire District Council - a matter where those tendering for a PFI contract sued for costs lost due to cancellation of the project.  He is adjudged to be "an absolute delight to work with and very unstuffy."

Environment ~ Other Notable Sets

Kassie Smith of Monckton Chambers is well liked for her "practical and intellectual" approach. She acts for the Environment Agency, and has recently been involved in a case in which she represented Greenpeace in its successful challenge to the government's decision to support new nuclear building.

Human Rights ~ Notable Practitioner

 Prior to transferring to the Bar in 2000, Piers Gardner of Monckton Chambers worked as a solicitor at the European Commission of Human Rights and the British Institute of International & Comparative Law for over 20 years.  He has a multi-jurisdictional practice, handling cases concerning Australia, the Bahamas, France, Germany, the Isle of Man, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, the USA and the UK in the past year.  His major highlight was acting in YUKOS's USD27 billion dispute with the Russian government over the lawfulness of tax claims and the expropriation of YUKOS's subsidiary YNG.  At the same set, Tim Ward is a "good, solid junior, much better than silks at unknown chambers."  He focuses on EU and public law and has a varied caseload.  He recently defended an application for a declaration of incompatibility under the Human Rights Act 1998 by a detained mental patient.

Procurement ~ Leading Set

Lauded as "the specialists," Monckton Chambers is the most experienced set in the public procurement arena and boasts 16 members with some form of expertise in this area.  The group attracts an increasing amount of work, advising clients both in the early non-contentious stages and in complex mediation or litigation.  The set is well versed regarding the intersection of public procurement law with competition, state aid, public law and VAT. Its barristers also bring expertise in commercial and construction disputes to bear on public procurement matters.  The "ubiquitous and tremendously talented" Michael Bowsher QC (listed as star performer by Legal 500) has carved out a leading practice in this niche area and advises on an ever-increasing number of public procurement disputes, counselling public purchasers and potential challengers.  Clients describe him as "sensible, commercial and wonderfully collaborative."  He acted for the claimant in Rapiscan Systems Ltd v Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs, which is probably the first case in which an English court gave an injunction extending the 'standstill' period. Bowsher also represented Purple in BFS Food Group Ltd v Secretary of State for Defence & Purple Food Services, which looked at the scope of permitted negotiation in a regulated tender and the proper approach to dealing with procurement challenges to contracts requiring urgent implementation.  "Serious all-rounder" Paul Lasok QC acted for BFS in this case; "phenomenally intelligent and pragmatic with it," he "cuts through large levels of detail and gets to the core principles at stake."  Clients appreciate his "commerciality and clarity, and the fact that he won't hide behind percentages or try to fudge things."  "Extremely bright and great in academic argument," Nicholas Paines QC has been advising contracting authorities on tender processes and potential challenges from unsuccessful bidders, while competition and European law expert Jon Turner QC has been receiving an increasing amount of private instructions relating to public procurement.  Both "extremely academic" and "good on his feet," Christopher Vajda QC has been advising public authorities on public procurement and state aid issues.  Clients do not hesitate to recommend "true procurement specialist" Jennifer Skilbeck for day-to-day advice.  She has a "clear, pragmatic and user-friendly" approach and, as one client commented, "she is good at going back to basics and looking at the questions that you should have asked in the first place."  Her economics background is noted as an added bonus.  The balance of her practice is moving towards the claimant side and highlights include acting with Michael Bowsher in Rapiscan v HMRC, which involved the successful application for an interim injunction under Alcatel provisions.  She also assisted Paul Lasok in representing BFS in its challenge.  Up-and-comer Valentina Sloane inspires confidence in solicitors and local authorities with her public procurement expertise. She also advises failed bidders on potential challenges.  Her highlights include acting in a procurement damages case with Bowsher.

Sports ~ Notable Practitioner

"At Monckton Chambers, Peter Roth QC is praised for his competition skills..." and "The "formidable" Paul Harris at Monckton Chambers is described as "an excellent junior who is getting busier and busier."

Tax ~ Leading Set

Primarily known for its EU and competition law work, this set boasts impressive VAT capability. "Aggressive" is a description used by some, while others prefer "assertive," either way, Melanie Hall QC has established a "formidable" reputation as a trial lawyer.  "Versatile and effective," her clients include banks, accountants and retailers, who appreciate her "incredibly hard work and thorough preparation."  Paul Lasok QC is acclaimed as another "fearless and outstanding advocate" with a "vast academic knowledge" of VAT.  His "crisp and concise attacks" have won him numerous significant victories in the courtroom, while his "approachability" makes him a favourite among instructing solicitors.  "Clever EU lawyer" Christopher Vajda QC is known for the strength of his analysis and drafting, as well as his "rigorously intellectual and sharp" courtroom manner.  Peter Mantle is instructed on numerous "meaty VAT cases," often by HMRC.  He is considered a "force to be reckoned with" in court. Valentina Sloane wins plaudits from instructing solicitors for her "practicality, pragmatism and depth of understanding of HMRC."  "Effective in court, user-friendly in an advisory role and good on paper," she is consistently the subject of praise from solicitors and peers at the Bar.

Telecommunications ~ Leading set

Firmly established as leaders in the competition field, Monckton Chambers' flood of cases unsurprisingly includes a number from the telecoms industry.  "Intellectual powerhouse" Christopher Vajda QC has a practice that reflects much of the work done in chambers. Possessed of a broad practice, his competition and EU expertise sees him appearing in cases before the CAT and in Europe.  Recently, he has handled a couple of Ofcom cases and appeared in Bouygues v Commission, acting for Société Française de Radiotéléphonie in a state aid challenge to the grant of 3G licences in France.  Peter Roth QC is similarly wide-roaming in terms of his practice.  He has appeared in disputes in Hong Kong and also had a role in Floe Telecom v Ofcom.  Commentators admire him as "he knows the field, has extensive experience of competition law and delivers, in a gentle but compelling way, arguments of great force."  The best of the juniors here is Meredith Pickford.  Another competition and regulatory expert, he acts on both specific telecoms issues such as wireless regulation and at the more general end of the spectrum where commercial disputes just happen to involve a telecoms company.  He, too, has been involved in the Floe litigation and is known for handling a good deal of work for T-Mobile. Instructing solicitors find him "awfully well informed and utterly assured in all his dealings."