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Daniel Beard: What the Directories say

Under EU and competition the Legal 500, 2010 states that 'the very intelligent Daniel Beard frequently represents the OFT and Competition Commission, acting for the latter in the BSkyB/ITV case'.

Within Administrative and public law (including local government) 'Daniel Beard is also highly regarded'. - Legal 500, 2010

Winner of the 2009 EU and Competition "Junior of the Year" - Chambers Bar Awards

Chambers UK, 2010 describes Daniel as "a superstar worth every penny, who punches well above his weight when facing QCs on the other side." As standing counsel to the OFT, he picks up some juicy cases against some stiff opponents. Examples include acting for the Competition Commission in proceedings relating to BSkyB's acquisition of a 17.5% stake in Virgin."

Daniel Beard is 'universally well-liked by clients'.  At the junior Bar, under EU and Competition law, Daniel Beard is praised for giving 'commercially focused advice rather than reciting heavily qualified black letter law'. - Legal 500, 2009

The well-regarded Daniel Beard is "a forceful and accomplished advocate" who displays a "great creativity and intellectual curiosity." Known for his "expert handling of his clients and down-to-earth attitude", he appears before the Competition Commission, CAT, ECJ, OFT and Court of First Instance." - Chambers UK, 2009

Daniel is once again in the top tier of leading juniors for EU and Competition Law in The Legal 500, 2008: " This remains an area where juniors are perhaps much more influential than in other sectors ... the ' erudite' and 'practical' leading junior Daniel Beard [appeared] in Celesio v OFT. This was the OFT's first successfully defended judicial review of a merger decision. Daniel Beard remains standing counsel to the OFT. "

"..."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."  - Chambers UK, 2008

The Legal 500, 2007 says: "While many of the senior silks have a background in the European courts, the junior end of the Bar has thrived in recent years. Many believe that juniors are better equipped in the CAT and so prominent names such as Daniel Beard and [...] have become extremely popular amongst solicitors and clients. ... Monckton Chambers' rich bed of talented juniors continues to impress, none more so than the 'sharp' and 'best of the juniors' Daniel Beard, known to 'cut through the rubbish and get to the core principles'. He has a mighty track record in the CAT, and has demonstrated a keen analytical mind mixed with first-rate advocacy."

On EU / Competition; "Also fulfilling the role of standing counsel to the OFT, and "ferociously bright" with it, is his colleague Daniel Beard. He has honed his trial skills in cases such as UniChem v OFT and is developing into a "confident and polished advocate" who is increasingly in demand for his EU expertise."
On Telecommunications: "Daniel Beard received market commendation for his expertise in advising telecoms companies on the application of Articles 81, 82 and 86, as well as on merger control and various Competition Act and Restricted Trade Practices Act matters." - Chambers UK, 2007

"Daniel Beard commands enormous respect amongst the legal profession as a whole, particularly for CAT cases. His appointment as standing counsel to the OFT highlights his meteoric rise in prominence in the last five years. 'He's got what it takes on his feet and he's good analytically. He's excellent on presentation and goes down well with clients,' one solicitor remarked." - The Legal 500, 2006

"Beard is commonly referred to as "the best junior at the competition Bar". Praise comes from all sides: "Already a real star", "immensely able", "a very talented guy, very good on his feet with a real command of his subject. He is very popular in any forum - judges love him". He is standing counsel to the OFT." - Legal Week, February 2006

"Leading the juniors is Daniel Beard, who is rising to the top thanks to a steady stream of solicitor praise. Clients appreciate his "top-quality advocacy style, fluidity of oral submissions and first-class brains." His recent appearances include acting for the OFT in the IBA case and in Apex v OFT, and he was recently appointed as Standing Counsel to the OFT." - Chambers UK, 2006 

"...Fellow juniors at Monckton Chambers to win partners' respect include Daniel Beard, also an OFT standing counsel after a recent appointment, ..." - Legal Week 2005

"...Daniel Beard is young, but has a reputation far beyond his years, endorsed by the OFT's decision to appoint him as the second standing counsel for competition law." - The Legal 500, 2005 

Competition / EU: "The set also greatly benefits from a splendid talent pool of juniors,... Daniel Beard follows the road of promising newcomers, according to solicitors. Of newsworthy note, he advised on state aid in proceedings regarding P&O European Ferries and the European Commission in the Court of First Instance and acted for one of the bidding parties in the Safeway case." - Chambers UK, 2005

" In Admin an Public Law: Clients also favour Kassie Smith and Daniel Beard 'because they're bright and they win cases'... For EU and Competition Law Daniel Beard is widely considered a 'safe first port of call', a top junior alongside Jon Turner, the OFT's standing counsel." - The Legal 500, 2004

"The intellectual firepower on offer at this set is a fitting tribute to its founder Walter Monckton KC. ... the set "furnishes the very best in commercial and public lawyers," many of whom have significant competition/EU practices. ...Daniel Beard, veteran of the SME Banking Inquiry, is talked about as a star of the future. ..." - Chambers UK, 2004