Josh Holmes

MA (Oxon) - first class; BCL (Oxon); LL.M. Harvard
Call date: 1997

Summary

Josh is recognised by Chambers UK and Legal 500 as a leading junior in European / Competition law and Telecommunications law.  Described as "absolutely outstanding" and "'razor sharp' on competition issues", he "inspires real respect amongst contemporaries for his superlative handling of competition issues and deeply professional approach".  His practice covers all aspects of competition, EC, public and regulatory work. 

He has considerable background knowledge of the Community institutions, having spent time working in both the EC Commission (DG Comp) and the European Court of Justice.  He is currently Senior Visiting Lecturer at Kings College London, where he teaches State aid.

Recent and ongoing work

Court of Appeal / High Court

  • National Grid v Ofgem: abuse of dominance
  • H3G v Ofcom [2009] EWCA Civ 683: telecommunications regulation
  • T-Mobile and O2 v Ofcom [2008] ERWCA Civ 1373: jurisdiction of Competition Appeal Tribunal
  • Byrne v Secretary of State for Transport and MIB [2008] EWCA Civ 574: Francovich damages
  • R (Abbey Mine) v Coal Authority [2008] EWCA Civ 35: energy licensing
  • IPCom v HTC (Ch. D, 2009): competition / IP / FRAND
  • Dobson v Thames Water (TCC, 2009): water regulation / nuisance
  • R (Abbey Mine) v Coal Authority (Admin Ct, 2007): energy licensing
  • OFT v Lloyds TSB (Court of Appeal) [2006] EWCA Civ 268: connected lender liability
  • Oakley v Animal (Court of Appeal) [2005] EWCA: IP / EC law

Competition Appeal Tribunal

  • Carphone Warehouse v Ofcom (2009): local loop unbundling (pending)
  • National Grid v Ofgem (2009): abuse of dominance
  • T-Mobile and O2 v Ofcom (2008): jurisdiction of Competition Appeal Tribunal
  • T-Mobile, Orange, BT, H3G v Ofcom (2008): termination rate disputes
  • H3G v Ofcom; BT v Ofcom; O2 v Ofcom (2008): mobile call termination regulation
  • MasterCard v Ofcom (2006): interchange fees

Competition Commission / OFT

  • H3G, BT and O2 v Ofcom (2008): CC reference
  • Game / Gamestation (2008): CC merger inquiry
  • Delta 2 / Sainsbury (2007), OFT pre-notification discussions
  • Stonegate Farmers Ltd / Deans Food Group Ltd (2007): CC merger inquiry
  • OFT cover bidding investiagions (2006-9)
  • BT - Undertakings in lieu of a CC reference (2005)

European Court of Justice / Court of First Instance

  • Case T-111/08 MasterCard v Commission (CFI, pending)
  • Case T-112/07 Hitachi v EC Commission; Case T-132/07 Fuji v EC Commission (CFI, ongoing)
  • Case T-196/04 Ryanair v EC Commission (CFI, 2008)
  • Pipe Fittings investigation (EC Commission, 2006)
  • Case C-267/05 Oakley Inc v Animal Ltd (ECJ, 2005)