Alex has broad range of experience of public and administrative law.

As Judicial Assistant to Lord Reed from 2017 to 2018, she assisted in several high-profile public law cases, including the challenge to the legality of the prohibition on abortion in Northern Ireland in cases of rape, incest and serious abnormality (In the matter of an application by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission [2018] UKSC 27), and the Article 14 challenge to the government’s “benefit cap” legislation (R (DA and Others) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2019] UKSC 21).

Cases

• Acting in ongoing judicial review claims on behalf of Afghan nationals who worked alongside British forces in Afghanistan in relation to their applications under the ARAP and Ex Gratia Schemes (led variously by Samantha Knights QC, Adam Straw QC and Nikolaus Grubeck).
• R (Gass) v Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead – acting for the claimant in a successful judicial review of a local authority’s decision to increase council tax contributions for low income taxpayers (led by Michael Armitage).
• K v Caerphilly Borough Council – acting as sole counsel in a successful disability discrimination and Human Rights Act claim in relation to a local authority’s decision to register a child on the child protection register.
• E v East Riding County Council – acting as sole counsel for a young person with special educational needs in a successful appeal against their EHC Plan in the SENDist Tribunal.
• Palamon investigation – advising the Civil Aviation Authority in its investigation of whether an air traffic control licence holder had breached its duties (led by Anneli Howard QC).
• G v London Borough of Hackney – acting as sole counsel for the claimant in a Human Rights Act claim in relation to a local authority’s failure to secure educational provision for a young person unable to attend mainstream school for mental health reasons.

Alex is regularly instructed as junior counsel in high-profile and complex competition litigation, including in private claims and collective actions.

Chambers and Partners says: “Alexandra Littlewood comes highly recommended by a number of her instructing solicitors. She has accumulated an impressive body of experience representing claimants and defendants in prominent competition law matters including the trucks cartel and ‘pay for delay’ litigation.”

Cases

• Consumers Association v Qualcomm – acting as junior counsel for Qualcomm in the opt-out collective proceedings brought against it by the Consumers’ Association, commonly known as Which? (led by Mark Howard QC, Tony Singla QC and David Bailey).
• Gutmann – acting as junior counsel for the class representative in collective proceedings brought against the operators of the South Eastern and Southwestern rail franchises (led by Philip Moser QC and Stefan Kuppen).
• Trucks – acting as junior counsel for Daimler in the Trucks litigation in both the individual claims and collective proceedings (led by Paul Harris QC, Ben Rayment and Michael Armitage).
• NHS v Servier – acting as junior counsel for NHS Scotland and Northern Ireland in the NHS’s “pay-for-delay” claims against Servier (led by Julian Gregory).
• Interchange – acting as junior counsel for multiple retailers in their claims against Visa and Mastercard in the ongoing interchange fee litigation (led by Kassie Smith QC and Fiona Banks).

Alex has been instructed in a number of high-profile sports matters. Her clients have included a Premier League football club and a former professional darts player. She has particular expertise in matters relating to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Regulations.

As a pupil to Valentina Sloane QC and Philip Woolfe, Alex gained extensive experience of public procurement across a range of sectors, including health, defence, travel and culture.

She is a member of the Procurement Lawyers Association.

Alex regularly acts in matters concerning freedom of information and data protection, and was until recently a contributing author to the Freedom of Information Journal.

Cases

• Information Commissioner v Driver [2020] UKUT 333 (AAC) – acting as sole counsel for the Commissioner in the Upper Tribunal and First Tier Tribunal in a case concerning the disclosure of information provided in confidence (section 41 FOIA).
• Preston v Information Commissioner – acting as sole counsel in a dispute concerning the Commissioner’s handing of a subject access request. Alex was successful in having the case against the Commissioner dismissed in the County Court.
• Kayode v Information Commissioner [2021] UKUT 86 (AAC) – acting as sole counsel for the Information Commissioner in an appeal concerning the disclosure of personal data. Alex was successful for the Commissioner in both the First Tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal.

Education and scholarships

Education

• BA in Law and French Law, Brasenose College, Oxford, First Class Honours
• BCL, Brasenose College, Oxford, Distinction
• BPTC, City Law School, Outstanding

Scholarships

• Lord Mansfield Scholarship (the highest BPTC award from Lincoln’s Inn)
• City Law School Scholarship for Academic Excellence
• Hardwicke Entrance Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
• Barry Nicholas Scholarship for the BCL, Brasenose College, Oxford
• Buchanan Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
• Phoenicia Scholarship, Bar European Group

Pro bono

Alex has worked pro bono for a number of organisations, including the Free Representation Unit and Oxford Legal Assistance. She accepts instructions pro bono in suitable cases.

Memberships

• Administrative Law Bar Association
• Bar European Group
• Procurement lawyers Association

Up and Coming in Competition: “She is incisive and willing to debate issues and work through the issues with the firms in a collaborative manner.” “Really enthusiastic, dedicated and hard-working. She has a strong grasp of the law.” “Alexandra has been responsive and has good attention to detail.” – Chambers UK and Chambers Global, 2022

Rising Star in Competition: “Alex is hard working, careful and thoughtful. Her drafting is clear.” – Legal 500, 2022