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BA (Oxon); FCIArb Chartered Arbitrator
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Michael Bowsher KC has a busy practice in public procurement, competition and commercial law, particularly in disputes concerning major public and public-private projects. He is particularly known for his unique practice in government and utility procurement in the United Kingdom, Ireland, elsewhere in Europe and beyond.
Michael Bowsher KC has appeared as counsel in many of the major procurement cases over more than a decade. His contentious practice is complemented by a substantial practice in providing legal and strategic advice for bidders and purchasers throughout the procurement process.
Michael has also has a busy competition law practice. He has acted in a number of recent matters involving essential facilities, competition in payment systems and now acting as leading counsel in a number of collective proceedings brought in the CAT.
In recent years Michael has become increasingly involved in matters involving application and interpretation of investment treaties and trade agreements as well as a range of matters involving the law of Outer Space and its application to the challenges of the commercial exploitation of Space.
Michael continues his active practice in construction and commercial matters which he has continued since his long period as a member of one of the leading construction sets of chambers.
He is active in arbitration and is a Chartered Arbitrator. He is also active as mediator and expert in institutional and ad hoc procedures. Most of his appointments as arbitrator involve disputes concerning investments or long term contracts involving the public sector or utilities. He has recently been involved in a number procedures involving disputes in the operation of the NHS.
Michael is a Visiting Professor at King’s College London teaching EU Public Procurement and setting up a Distance Learning Diploma and Masters in Public Procurement law.
Michael is a member of the Bar Library in Belfast and the Law Library in Dublin, and practises actively in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as well as in England and Wales.
Michael’s work in competition and procurement litigation has continued to develop. He has been particularly heavily involved in litigation concerning some of the largest procurements as well as competition claims brought in collective proceedings concerning payment systems and Big Tech. He has also been involved in competition disputes concerning the public sector, subsidy control challenges and commercial issues concerning the public sector.
In Procurement Michael advised the winning bidder in the HS2 rolling stock procurement and continued to represent them through the ensuing, unsuccessful, challenge. He is lead counsel for the National Lottery Company in its challenge against the award of national lottery franchise. This is coming on for trial in later 2025.
At the same time he has been leading counsel in claimant teams bringing collective proceedings in the Competition Appeal Tribunal against the credit card schemes and Big Tech defendants.
Michael was heavily involved in Covid-19 procurement issues, and he continues to act as lead counsel in one of the largest of these now proceeding to trial. This concerns a claim for many hundreds of millions of pounds regarding the procurement of lateral flow tests.
He continues to be involved in numerous major disputes in the courts of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, including disputes involving construction in Ireland, financial regulation in Northern Ireland and a substantial framework agreement for highway maintenance in Northern Ireland.
Michael’s competition practice continues to be diverse. He is involved in various follow on damages matters, has appeared in recent subsidy and state aid matters.
Recent reported judgments in matters in which he has appeared include:
Michael has been heavily involved in procurement law in the UK, EU and in a number of countries for over 30 years. This has involved advising not only on the legal issues raised, but also the broader issues of strategy in tactics in achieving a successful outcome for a client in any given process. This experience in challenging procurement situations is the basis for his substantial practice providing strategic and legal advice for purchasers and bidders at all stages of the procurement process.
Michael has been particularly heavily involved in advising on various sectoral issues such as:
Michael has been involved in the drafting of procurement legislation, guidance and procedures, the design of procurement process, the strategy and detail of bid preparation and development of strategies for management of the process from both sides of the process, as well as those with other interests such as funders.
Michael advises not only parties in the UK, Ireland and other Member States. He is actively involved with purchasers at all levels of government, utilities and a broad range of private and third sector clients. He has advised on many procurements involving European institutions. Beyond Europe he has also been involved in in advising on recent procurement issues in Hong Kong and Singapore as well as matters involving international organisations.
As investments involving the delivery of public services and utilities have become increasingly subject to inward supply or investment in many countries, Michael has become ever more closely involved in issues regarding the treaties and agreements governing these relationships. He is often involved in advising during the period of negotiation in advising parties likely to be affected by these arrangements and he has become increasingly involved in the ensuing disputes.
Michael has recently been involved in advising various parties regarding the impact of trade instruments such as the GPA and GATS as well as bilateral free trade agreements such as TTIP and CETA. He has worked with the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce on the impact of CETA on Canada-UK trade both before and after Brexit.
Michael is involved in a large number of commercial disputes and these usually arise in matters with some connection with the public sector or utilities where his expert knowledge in the relevant contracts and commercial practices are particularly relevant. These disputes cover a range of matters including disputes over payment and performance.
Recently Michael has been involved in many disputes concerning termination or modification of commercial arrangements for the delivery of public services. These typically involve disputes over performance and the parties’ role in the various corporate vehicles established for delivery of the services, and increasingly involve consideration of the interplay of contract law and procurement law issues. Some of these related disputes have involved Covid-19 related issues. Increasingly now this involves parties preparing their positions for the coming into force of the UK Procurement Act 2023.
Michael is involved in advising on numerous matters regarding commercial activities in Space. These are diverse, although issues around orbital debris have been a frequent focus.
In addition to these roles as counsel, Michael has recently taken on the following roles:
1986-1988 Tenant – Chambers of Donald Keating Q.C.
1988-1992 Associate – Brussels office of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton
1992 -2001 Tenant – Keating Chambers
2001 – date Tenant – Monckton Chambers
Past appointments include:
Nationality British and Canadian
Languages English, French
Education BA (Oxon); FCIArb Chartered Arbitrator
Public Procurement (ranked as a Star Individual): “Michael Bowsher is fantastically knowledgeable.” “Michael is really responsive and an established expert in the field who enjoys the respect of all.” “Thoughtful, well considered and wise.” – Chambers UK, 2025
Leading silk in Competition: “Michael is a pleasure to work with and a confident leader in a difficult and challenging case. His advocacy is fluent and engaging and he provides strategic guidance and critical judgement at important points in protracted litigation.” – Legal 500, 2025
Leading silk in Public Procurement – Legal 500, 2025
Public Procurement (ranked as a Star Individual): “He has an admirable and thorough knowledge of the law, and takes both an academic and practical interest in the subject.” “Michael was one of the first to specialise in public procurement and has a strong and notable practice.” – Chambers UK, 2024
Leading silk in Competition: “His knowledge of competition law and developments in the law are second to none. Michael is a real intellectual heavyweight.” – Legal 500, 2024
Leading silk in Public Procurement: “Michael is a leading authority in the field of public procurement. His wealth of knowledge is invaluable when faced with complex legal problems.” – Legal 500, 2024
Public Procurement (ranked as a Star Individual): “Michael is a thought leader in the area of public procurement, who is good at looking at cases from a different perspective.” “An excellent and most distinguished silk.” – Chambers UK, 2023
Leading silk in Competition: “Michael is very strong intellectually and tactically.” – Legal 500, 2023
Leading silk in Public Procurement: “He is a strong advocate, who is also very accessible and has extensive experience.” – Legal 500, 2023
Recommended in Government Contracts, Who’s Who Legal Global Guide 2022
“An exceptional government contracts lawyer who maintains a stellar practice which focuses on regulated procurement.” – Government Contracts, Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2022
Public Procurement (ranked as a Star Individual): “Personable and approachable, he connects with the clients well.” “He is excellent technically and highly knowledgeable in the procurement field.” – Chambers UK, 2022
Leading silk in Competition: “Quick, hyper intelligent and very experienced.” – Legal 500, 2022
Leading silk in Public Procurement: “Michael provides sound, balanced and constructive advice in relation to complex and difficult issues.” – Legal 500, 2022
“Acknowledged by peers as “a big name in the market” and “an amazing advocate”. His expertise spans both UK and EU procurement law.” – Government Contracts, Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2021
Public Procurement: “A fearless tactician and a firm advocate who doesn’t shrink in the face of tough opposition.” “He can be relied upon to grapple with, and provide creative solutions to, the most difficult procurement questions.” – Chambers UK, 2021
Leading silk in Competition: ‘‘Sound, balanced and constructive advice in relation to complex and difficult issues, easy to work with and highly responsive.’’ – Legal 500, 2021
Leading silk in Public Procurement: ‘‘Sound, balanced and constructive advice in relation to complex and difficult issues.’’ – Legal 500, 2021
Leading silk in Telecoms (regulatory): ‘‘A first-rate silk.’’ – Legal 500, 2021
“very much a leading player” in the market when it comes to government contracts. Sources comment, “His knowledge of the law is unsurpassed, and he is also great with clients.” – Government Contracts, Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2020
Public Procurement: “The leading mind in this area, he continues to display an admirable and thorough knowledge of the law and practice.” “He has excellent knowledge of procurement law and demonstrates years of experience in his pragmatic advice.” “Top of the class. He is the barrister that every company wants to have representing them, both on his feet and when thinking strategically about how to run a challenge.” – Chambers UK, 2020
Leading silk in Competition: ‘‘Pragmatic in his advice.’’ – Legal 500, 2020
Leading silk in Construction: ‘‘Knows the sector inside and out; pragmatic with his advice.’’ – Legal 500, 2020
Leading silk in Telecoms (regulatory): ‘‘He is particularly strong for regulated procurement.’’ – Legal 500, 2020
Leading silk in Public Procurement: ‘‘A top pick for public procurement advice, he knows the subject inside out and is pragmatic with his advice too.’’ – Legal 500, 2020
