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Curriculum Vitae
Summary
All specialist areas
European/Competition Law
VAT & Customs Law
Additional Information
  • What the Directories Say

"Paul Lasok QC, the head of chambers, is "an oracle of European law." Supremely comfortable handling a variety of competition and European law matters, he recently acted for the Royal Mail in its challenge to the UK government's treatment of VAT charges for postal services." - Chambers UK, 2010

"Paul Lasok QC is a leader in EU, competition and procurement law who has "one of the best minds at the Bar." "An immensely gifted individual who is especially good in his written work," he is much sought after. His clients include the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), which he advised on procurement processes for the organisation of the London 2012 Olympics." - Chambers UK, 2010

"Head of chambers Paul Lasok QC is an expert in European law, focusing mainly on agriculture, competition, public law, telecommunications and trade matters. When it comes to tax matters, he is a respected advocate with "an encyclopaedic knowledge of VAT cases" who acts for both taxpayers and the authorities. Lasok has advised some very well-known names in his time including Deloitte & Touche, KPMG and PwC. In addition, he has advised Customs & Excise and taxpayers on actual and proposed VAT legislation." - Chambers UK, 2010

In The Legal 500, 2009, under EU and Competition it states that Paul Lasok QC appeared in the Cityhook case, contesting a decision on the OFT's case closure protocols, a case of wide significance, and is once again listed as a leading Silk.  Under VAT, Paul Lasok QC regularly receives instructions from Deloitte, KPMG and PwC, and has advised HMRC, as well as taxpayers, on both actual and proposed VAT legislation. 

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Paul Lasok QC

QC MA (Cambridge) LLM (Exeter University) PhD (Exeter)
Call date: 1977 Silk: 1994

Summary

Paul Lasok QC, our Head of Chambers, is considered by many of his peers as a heavy weight in European Community law where his main areas of work include agriculture, competition, public law, telecommunications, trade law (anti-dumping), VAT.

He advises and represents private clients, including public companies as well as government departments in litigation before the European Courts and English courts and in proceedings before regulatory authorities (including the Commission of the European Communities and the Competition Commission, previously known as the Monopolies and Mergers Commission).

Major Cases

  • ISG Pearce v OFT (CAT appeal on liability and penalty in relation to construction industry cartel) 
  • Barclays  Bank Plc v The Competition Commission & Shop Direct (CAT challenge to Competition Commission's decision on the Payment Protection Insurance market)
  • Enron Coal Services Ltd -v- EWS Railway (Court of Appeal and CAT - follow on damages, abuse of dominant position)
  • Which? v JJB Sports (CAT follow on damages and costs regarding price fixing cartel)
  • R (Cityhook Ltd) v OFT [2008] Admin Court (legality of OFT case prioritisation policy)
  • Stericycle v CC [2006] CAT 21: appeal against CC decisions in merger reference imposing interim measures and [2007] CAT 9: against a finding of significant lessening of competition
  • JJB Sports PLC v Office of Fair Trading [2005] Comp AR 29: trial relating to price-fixing by retailers and suppliers of Umbro replica football kit
  • Intel v VIA Technologies (Patents Court, Chancery Division - damages, abuse of dominance) 
  • Commissioners of Customs and Excise v Zielinski Baker [2004] STC 456 (VAT and Property)
  • Honeywell International v Commission, Case T-209/01 (merger control)
  • MCI WorldCom v Commission, Case T-310/00 28 September 2004 (merger control)
  • GrafTech International Ltd. v Commission, Case T-246/01 29 April 2004 (graphite electrode cartel)
  • R v Monopolies and Mergers Commission, Case C-137/00 , ex parte Milk Marque
  • GIL Insurance v Commissioners of Customs and Excise [2004] STC 961 (IPT and State Aids)
  • Marks & Spencer Plc v. Customs & Excise [2002] STC 1036; [2004] STC 1 (3-year cap and unjust enrichment)
  • Halifax v Commissioners of Customs and Excise (tax avoidance)
  • Bond House v Commissioners of Customs and Excise
  • Cases T-125/97 and T-127/97 Coca Cola v Commission [2000] ECR II-1733
  • Three Rivers D.C. v. Bank of England [2000] 2 WLR 1200
  • Marks & Spencer Plc v. Customs & Excise [2000] 1 CMLR 256
  • Halifax v Commissioners of Customs and Excise (tax avoidance)
  • R v Commissioners of Customs and Excise ex p Lunn Poly (State Aids)
  • Coca-Cola v EU Commission
  • BLP v Commissioners of Customs and Excise [1995] ECR I-983 (VAT and input tax deduction)