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Curriculum Vitae
Summary
All specialist areas
Commercial/Arbitration
Competition and State Aid Law
Construction and Technology Law
EU/Procurement
Public Law/Regulatory
Additional Information
  • What the Directories Say

Michael Bowsher QC

QC BA (Oxon); FCIArb Chartered Arbitrator; CEDR Accredited Mediator
Call date: 1985 Silk: 2006

Summary

Michael Bowsher has been a member of Monckton Chambers since 2001. He has built here a diverse practice covering competition law matters (particularly in litigation), commercial public law and substantial commercial disputes, particularly (but not exclusively) in construction, technology and public service sectors such as healthcare, waste and utility provision. The largest and fastest growing area of Michael's practice concerns procurement by public bodies and utilities.  He is very well known in this field and undertakes a substantial volume of advisory and contentious work covering these matters. His expertise in this area is recognised by a growing body of clients, as attested by the commendations from recent legal directories.

Michael Bowsher has a background in both EU law (having had a number of years' experience in one of the pre-eminent EU law practices in Brussels) and as an advocate in the English courts and international arbitration with many years at one of the leading barristers' chambers specialising in construction disputes. This background allows him to combine his excellent forensic and tactical skills with the ability to relate and deal with a diverse client base.

Michael has continued to be involved in a broad range of arbitration disputes, and is increasingly in demand as an arbitrator and mediator.

Examples of Recent Litigation

  • Henry Brothers -v- DENI [2008] NIQB 105 & 2008 NIQB 153 - High court trial concerning procurement of multi-million pound schools improvement framework
  • McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd -v- DFP [2008] NIQB 25 & [2008] NIQB 91 & 2008 NIQB 122 - also reported at [2008] BLR 603 - High court trial of procurement of £800 million public sector construction framework
  • Rapture TV -v- Ofcom and Others [2008] CAT 14 - CAT appeal from Ofcom determination
  • McConnell Archive Storage Ltd v Belfast City Council ([2008] NICh 3; [2008] EuLR 549) Procurement of contract for removal and storage of all city records during refurbishment of City Hall
  • Lion Apparel Systems Ltd v Firebuy Ltd [2007] EWHC 2179; [2008] EuLR 191 & [2008] EWHC 122 (Ch); [2008] EuLR 564- High court proceedings concerning national framework for procurement of firefighters' uniforms - two judgments already reported. 
  • Rapiscan Systems Ltd v HMRC [2006] EWHC 2067 (QB) - Procurement of contract for scanning equipment at docks
  • West Ham United -v- MSI & Just Sports Inc [2006]
  • Healthcare at Home -v- Genzyme [2006] CAT 30 - Follow-on damages claim after Article 82 liability established against Genzyme
  • Prater Ltd -v- Office of Fair Trading [2006] CAT 11 - CAT appeal from OFT decision
  • BFS Food Group Ltd v Secretary of State for Defence & Purple Food Services [2006] EWHC 1513 (Ch); [2006] All ER (D) 274 (Jun) - Procurement of worldwide contract for armed forces' food
  • Devilbiss Medequip Ltd. v NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency [2005] EWHC 1757 (Ch); [2006] EuLR 346 - Procurement of contract for domiciliary oxygen
  • Denfleet International Ltd v NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency [2005] EuLR 526  - Procurement by NHS of schizophrenia medications
  • R ((1) International Air Transport Association (2) European Low Fares Airline Association) v Department of Transport [2004] EuLR 998  - ECJ reference from High Court regarding passenger compensation rights

FCIArb Chartered Arbitrator; CEDR Accredited Mediator
Called to the Bar of Northern Ireland (2000)
Vice-Chair of the ICC Task Force on Public Procurement (appointed 2007)
Member of TECSA Panel of Approved Mediators (Technology and Construction Solicitors' Association)