The Lawyer’s top 10 appeals of 2025

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The Lawyer has highlighted 10 disputes set to be heard in the appeal courts in 2025 and Monckton Chambers features in 3 of those cases. Further to the recent article from the Lawyer in relation to their top 20 first instance cases of 2025 this is further evidence that Monckton Chambers is operating at the very top table in relation to first instance and appellate litigation.

Five members at Monckton Chambers feature in three of these cases:

  • Phillip Evans v Barclays Bank and others
    The Supreme Court – Lord Sales, Lord Leggatt, Lord Burrows, Lady Rose and Lord Richards (1 April, two days).

For the appellants, Barclays, Citibank, JP Morgan, Natwest, HSBC, UBS AG, and MUFG  – Daniel Beard KC, instructed by Baker McKenzie partner Francesca Richmond and Latham & Watkins partner Andrea Monks for Barclays, A&O Shearman partner Arnondo Chakrabarti for Citibank, Slaughter and May partners Ewan Brown, Camilla Sanger and Tim Blanchard for JP Morgan, Macfarlanes partner Matt McCahearty for NatWest, Norton Rose Fulbright partner Helen Fairhead for HSBC, Gibson Dunn partner Doug Watson for UBS AG, Herbert Smith Freehills partner Stephen Wisking for MUFG

  • R (Duke of Sussex) v Secretary of State for the Home Department
    Court of Appeal (8-10 April, 2 days)

For the respondent, Secretary of State for the Home Department – Robert Palmer KC, instructed by the Government Legal Department.

  • Phones 4U v EE and others
    Court of Appeal (19 May, five days)

For the defendant, EE – Meredith Pickford KC and David Gregory, instructed by Clifford Chance partners Samantha Ward and Jeremy Kosky

For the defendants, Vodafone and Vodafone Group – Rob Williams KC, instructed by Hogan Lovells partners John Tillman, Angus Coulter and Alice Wallace-Wright, counsel Victoria Lindsay, and senior associates Rebecca Hing and Jamie Pollock

Monckton barristers feature in The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases of 2025

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The Lawyer’s “Top 20 cases of 2025” has been published, highlighting the biggest disputes of the year based on profile and value. Eighteen members at Monckton Chambers feature in seven of these cases:

  • Dr Rachael Kent v Apple listed in the CAT in January for 7 weeks.

For the class representative, Dr Rachael Kent: Tim Ward KC, Michael Armitage and Antonia Fitzpatrick, instructed by Hausfeld partner Lesley Hannah, counsel Sofie Edwards, senior associates Kio Gwilliam, Emma Poland and Jonathan Amior, and associates Natalie Jukes, Jake Henderson, Abigail Masters and Kazi Elias.

  • Mark McLaren v MOL and others listed in the CAT in January for 10 weeks.

For the first to third defendants, MOL and others: Natalie Nguyen, instructed by Arnold & Porter partners Jane Wessel and Alistair Brown, and associate Samuel Milucky.

For the fifth defendant, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha: Brendan McGurk KC and Steptoe International partner Angus Rodger, instructed by Steptoe International partner Charles Whiddington and associate Yumiko Takahashi.

  • Merricks/Mastercard, the contested settlement hearing listed in the CAT in January or February for 1-2 days.

For the class representative, Walter Merricks: Mark Brealey KC, Jack Williams and Alastair Holder Ross, instructed by Willkie Farr & Gallagher partners Boris Bronfentrinker and Nicola Chesaites.

  • Jinxin Inc v Aser Media, Media Partners and Silva, Marco Auletta, Riccardo Silva Holding, Riccardo Silva and Andrea Radrizzani listed in the High Court, Commercial Court in June for 16 weeks.

For the claimant, Jinxin Inc.: Ben Rayment, instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills partner Julian Copeman and senior associates Celine Wang, Victoria O’Dea and Timothy Kyriakou.

  •  The Pan-NOx Emissions Group Litigation (Dieselgate) listed in the High Court, King’s Bench Division in October for 10 weeks.

For the Ford defendants: George Peretz KC and George Hilton, instructed by McGuireWoods partner William Boddy.

For the Nissan defendants: Anneli Howard KC, instructed by Hogan Lovells.

For the Porsche defendants: Philip Moser KC, instructed by Linklaters.

For the Jaguar Land Rover defendants: Christopher Vajda KC and Panos Koutrakos, instructed by CMS partners Kenny Henderson, Louise Boswell and Dan Keating, senior associates Zainab Hodgson and Nicholas Quirke, and associates Tobias Seger, Jack Laidlaw, Zoe Homer, Maxie Chopard and Stephanie McTighe.

  • The New Lottery Company Limited and Northern & Shell PLC v The Gambling Commission listed in the Technology and Construction Court, King’s Bench Division in October for 8 weeks.

For the claimants, The New Lottery Commission and Northern & Shell: Michael Bowsher KC and Azeem Suterwalla, instructed by BCLP partners Graham Shear, Chris Bryant and Alexandra Kirby, and associates Emily Watts and Henry Cross.

  •  Alcatel Lucent v Amazon listed in the High Court, Patents Court in October for 20 days.

For the defendant, Amazon: Ligia Osepciu instructed by Hogan Lovells partner Paul Brown.

Anneli Howard KC to Co-Chair Bar Council European Committee 

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With effect from 1st January 2025 Anneli Howard KC of Monckton Chambers has been elected as Co-Chair of the Bar Council European Committee, taking over from Philip Moser KC  of Monckton Chambers who steps down after completing a four-year term.

The Committee works with the Brussels Office of the Bar Council and monitors and addresses legal issues emanating from the European Union including policy and legislative proposals from the EU institutions, and its remit includes the Withdrawal Agreement, UK-EU relations law and the FTA.

UK Competition Litigation Conference 2024

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Monckton Chambers, NERA, and Exton Advisors present the Sixth Annual UK Competition Litigation Conference on Thursday 5th December 2024 from 08:30am at the ME London Hotel.

Register here

 

Please join Monckton Chambers, NERA and Exton Advisors at the iconic ME Hotel for this flagship conference discussing developments in UK competition litigation.

Now in its sixth year, this annual event brings together the “who’s who” of the competition community including leading lawyers, King’s Counsel, academics, legal financiers, and testifying experts. The agenda will cover recent cases and decisions, innovations in the strategy and process of bringing litigation, the question of dominance in a variety of sectors, the role of experts, and a look at the regulatory landscape in the context of the DMCC and the Digital Markets Unit. We will round off with a look at hot topics for 2025 including mergers, subsidies, and a look at things from a slightly more global perspective.

This year we are delighted to have two keynote sessions.

CAT Chairman Hodge Malek KC will join us to discuss the challenges in competition cases and how the CAT intends to deal with them.

Former UK Judge at the General Court and a current member of the CAT Ian Forrester KC will discuss a comparison between hearing cases in the CAT and the General Court.

We are also delighted to welcome speakers throughout the day from the leading City law firms conducting competition litigation, regulators, class representatives, experts, brokers and funders. We have eight key sessions, in which we welcome speakers from the CAT, the CMA, class representatives, and leading lawyers from across the claimant and defendant bars (Ashurst, BCLP, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Freshfields, Hausfeld, Hogan Lovells, LCM, Linklaters, Mishcon De Reya, and Norton Rose Fulbright).

As is now customary, we warmly welcome delegates to celebrate the season of cheer with an evening champagne reception enjoying panoramic views of London from the ME Hotel’s Radio Rooftop Bar.

For more information, to see the programme for the day and to register your place, please click here.

Monckton Chambers excels once again in Chambers UK Bar 2025 guide launch

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Chambers UK Bar have launched their 2025 guide, and Monckton Chambers is delighted to be ranked as a set in 11 practice areas, with 63 individual barristers recognised for a total of 154 rankings across 28 practice areas. We are pleased to see 10 new entries, with 30 improved rankings including 1 new star individual. Congratulations to all members listed.

Monckton has once again been recognised as a Band 1 set for 5 areas:

  • Competition Law ‘Monckton Chambers is renowned for its superb ability in complex competition law mandates across a breadth of key areas. Members regularly appear before the CAT, the UK appellate courts and the European Court of Justice, representing clients on both sides of infringement decision appeals and follow-on damages claims, as well as a number of high-profile collective action proceedings. The set also stands out for the frequency with which its members represent major parties in disputed merger proceedings. Members further advise key UK public bodies, including acting as standing counsel to regulators, and defending both UK and European competition authorities in disputed cartel investigations. The set has seen members active in many of the leading cases – a key example being acting for a number of claimants and defendants on various related claims for damages resulting from an international cartel in the price of trucks which received large fines from the European Commission.’
  • European Law ‘Many of Monckton Chambers’ key areas of practice are grounded in its members’ superb understanding of EU law principles. The UK government frequently instructs barristers from the chambers in cases concerning state aid, European Commission cartel decisions, taxation and customs. The barristers, praised by one source for their “very good advice and drafting in complex cases,” represent corporations and individuals in matters of the types listed above, and in litigation relating to industry sector regulation, free movement, data protection and other issues. Another source highlights the juniors as being “exceptionally bright and always willing to go that extra mile.” Recent highlights include acting for Sky in an appeal against Ofcom concerning its regulation of pay TV business under “retained” EU law, and leading for Intel in fine appeal issues by the European Commission.’
  • Telecoms regulation ‘Monckton Chambers handles the full spread of telecommunications law work and is particularly well known for its strength in competition cases. It is a strong choice for advice on reforming telecoms legislation and for representation in regulatory disputes, and further boasts intellectual property expertise, having appeared in numerous key cases relating to standard-essential patents in the technology sector. Its members have noted EU law expertise and are known for their adroit handling of EU competition law cases, as well as their superior advice on EU regulatory frameworks. The barristers’ clients include significant telecoms companies, content providers, and both UK and overseas regulatory bodies including Ofcom. Monckton Chambers acted for Which? on an abuse of dominance claim against Qualcomm in the Competition Appeal Tribunal. An interviewee comments: “The set are instructed in the highest-value and biggest cases, flexing their commercial acumen and skilful advocacy in the most heavy and detailed cases.”’
  • Public procurement ‘Monckton Chambers is an esteemed chambers which undertakes the full sweep of procurement cases on both the advisory and contentious fronts. The set receives instructions from tenderers and contracting authorities alike, and can assist with all stages of the procurement process. Members have experience in a variety of areas, from health and transport to utilities and IT. One notable highlight this year was the continuation of Siemens Mobility v HS2 & Bombardier Transportation/Hitachi Rail, a complex and high-profile procurement challenge to the contract for the provision of rolling stock for the HS2 project. Following final government approval, HS2 Ltd confirmed that a Hitachi/Alstom JV has been awarded the contracts to build high-speed trains for the megaproject. Members of the set also appeared in IGT v Gambling Commission, an important claim against the Gambling Commission in respect of the award of the fourth National Lottery licence.’
  • Indirect Tax ‘Monckton Chambers is a first-rate set known for its extensive work across the full gamut of indirect taxation disputes. Chambers frequently acts for the Revenue and for taxpayers in cases relating to VAT, anti-dumping charges, input and exit taxes and landfill taxes, among others. Members regularly appear at all levels of the court and tribunal system, and routinely handle cases before the Supreme Court and the ECJ. The set has been instructed in a number of notable matters of late, and recently won the test case of Bolt v HMRC, which concerned the application of VAT to the ride-hailing sector. Other cases of note include Fisher v HMRC, an important Supreme Court case looking at the meaning and application of the Transfer of Assets Abroad (TOAA) Code in the Income and Corporation Tax Act 1988. Interviewees say: “Monckton is thoroughly excellent in this sphere and has been leading the way in this area for a very long time.” ’

The Set has also been ranked in a further 6 areas:

  • Administrative and public law
  • Community Care
  • Civil Liberties
  • Data protection
  • Group Litigation
  • Sport

Individual members were also recognised as “Leading Individuals” in an additional 17 practice areas:

  • Animal Law
  • Aviation
  • CDR
  • Consumer Law
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Energy & Natural Resources: Regulatory
  • Environment
  • Fraud: Civil
  • Immigration
  • International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance
  • International Human Rights Law
  • Life Sciences Regulatory
  • Local Government
  • Property Damage
  • Shipping and Commodities
  • Social Housing

You can view the full list of Monckton Chambers’ rankings here.

George Hilton has joined Monckton Chambers

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Members of Chambers are delighted to announce that George Hilton has joined Monckton Chambers as of today, Wednesday 16th October 2024.

George has a broad commercial practice and is ranked in the legal directories as a leading junior in commercial litigation, international arbitration, civil fraud, property damage, insurance and reinsurance.

He has experience across a wide range of industry sectors including financial services, technology, artificial intelligence, life sciences, engineering and insurance.

His practice also encompasses the specialist areas of AI regulation, data protection, cybersecurity, competition and insolvency. Many of his cases involve scientific, engineering and information technology subject matter.

Recent recommendations in the leading legal directories include:

“George has an exceptional impact.” – Legal 500 2025

“He is wonderfully persuasive, logical, and commercial. A very able junior.” – Legal 500 2025

“Very hardworking, reliable, strong written work and a solid advocate.” – Legal 500 2025

“George is attentive to the detail of matters and will always consider the commerciality of matters where required. He provides sound advice and direction as to what is required in order to achieve the best possible outcome.” – Legal 500 2025

“He is quick on his feet and is able to effortlessly hone in on issues within disputes.” – Chambers UK 2024

“George is an outstanding junior with a strong civil fraud practice. George is particularly strong in the technical areas of fraud work, particularly trusts, and is a true intellectual heavyweight” – Legal 500 2024

“His attention to detail and explanation of his views are easy to follow. He understands the client’s requirements and concisely addresses those with commerciality in mind.” – Chambers UK 2024

“George is an excellent advocate. He is always spot-on with the detail and takes a very practical approach. Not only is he skilled technically, but he is also very personable.” – Chambers UK 2024

“George is extremely user friendly. He is a real team player. He is excellent at understanding the technical detail and testing the expert evidence. His advice is always clear, cogent and concise.” – Legal 500 2024

Philip Moser KC and Tim Ward KC, joint heads of Monckton Chambers, welcome George to Chambers: “We are delighted that George Hilton has joined Monckton Chambers and that he will bring his legal and scientific expertise to the fast-growing team of members practising in the commercial and arbitration fields, both domestically and internationally, including the Middle East.”

George says, “I am thrilled to be joining Monckton Chambers where I will be in the company of formidable talent. I am so grateful for the warm welcome I have received. I look forward to working with members and contributing to Chambers’ ongoing success.”

European and Competition Law specialist, Nicholas Khan KC has joined Monckton Chambers

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The members of Monckton Chambers welcome Nicholas Khan KC, who had a long career as a member of the Legal Service of the European Commission, marked by being the only lawyer to have taken Silk while working in a European Union institution.

As a member of the Commission’s Legal Service, Nicholas advised on many areas of EU law and represented the Commission in hundreds of cases before the EU Court of Justice and also in a number of interventions before the English Courts in State aid and Competition cases.

Nicholas has appeared in many cases beyond the field of competition law, such as sex discrimination, free movement of persons, the Brussels Convention/Regulation on civil jurisdiction and judgments, and anti-dumping.

Philip Moser KC and Tim Ward KC, joint heads of Monckton Chambers, welcome Nicholas to Chambers: ”We are pleased that Nicholas Khan KC will be returning to private practice from Monckton Chambers. He brings his experience of appearing regularly in Luxembourg and his unmatched expertise of how the European Commission investigates infringements of EU competition law.”

The Legal 500 UK Bar Guide 2025

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The Legal 500 UK Bar guide 2025 was launched and, Monckton Chambers secured a record number of rankings totalling 152. This includes 64 individual barristers from Monckton listed across 28 practice areas, 18 new entries into the tables this year, 21 improved rankings and 3 members mentioned in the ‘rising star’ categories. Congratulations to all members listed.

Monckton Chambers has been recommended, as a Top-Tier set in the following five practice areas:

  • Competition: ‘Monckton has consistently been a top flight set in competition law matters.’ “They remain the go-to chambers for leading competition barristers across the call, highly in demand in this space.’
  • EU relations – EU law: ‘Monckton have many star names and a growing mix of capable juniors and senior counsel.’ ‘A wide array of barristers with excellent knowledge of EU law’.
  • Telecoms regulation: ‘Monckton continues to be a go-to set for the competition side of telecommunications disputes and has a number of strong juniors in the pipeline.’
  • Public procurement: ‘Monckton are a very strong set for public procurement cases, with particular strength in the number of KCs and senior juniors.’  ‘The best set by far for public procurement’.
  • Tax: VAT and excise: ‘The group has experience in a range of sector-specific matters, including cryptocurrency, pension plans, and the transfer of assets abroad.’

The Set has also been ranked in a further three areas:

  • Administrative law and human rights: ‘‘team is well versed in representing claimants and defendants in complex cases across the public law arena, with particular focus on commercial and regulatory judicial reviews.’
  • Data protection: ‘has a well-established reputation.’
  • Sport: ‘specialising in the overlap between sports law and all aspects of commercial EU and competition law, Monckton Chambers has experience in sporting disputes before a range of fora.’

Members were also recognised as ‘Leading Individuals’ in:

  • Aviation & travel
  • Court of Protection: Health and welfare
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Commercial (Middle East: The English Bar)
  • Commodities
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Energy
  • Fraud: civil
  • Group Litigation
  • Immigration (including business immigration)
  • International arbitration: arbitrators
  • International arbitration: counsel
  • International Human Rights and criminal law
  • Insolvency
  • Insurance and reinsurance
  • Professional Negligence
  • Shipping
  • Social housing
  • The English Bar Offshore

We would like to thank our clients and colleagues as ever for their kind feedback as part of this process. You can view the full list of  Monckton Chambers’ rankings here.

Monckton Clerking Promotions for John Keegan and Steven Duffett

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Monckton Chambers is delighted to announce that John Keegan has been promoted to the position of Joint Senior Clerk. John will work alongside our current Senior Clerk, David Hockney, in leading the practice management team and strategic direction of Chambers.

We are also delighted to announce that Steven Duffett has been promoted to the position of Deputy Senior Clerk. Steven will work closely with David and John in meeting Chambers’ operational and strategic objectives.

Tim Ward KC and Philip Moser KC, joint Heads of Chambers, comment: “We congratulate John and Steven on their well-deserved promotions.  They reflect both the outstanding talent in the Monckton clerks’ room and the growing workload as Chambers goes from strength to strength.  Together with David Hockney, they are an outstanding senior team.”

The newly created roles are effective from 1st October 2024.

We welcome two new tenants – Reuben Andrews and Alastair Holder Ross

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Following the successful completion of their pupillages, during which they experienced a wide range of Chambers practice areas, Reuben Andrews and Alastair Holder Ross will become tenants with effect from 2 October 2024.

Reuben has a first-class law degree from the University of Cambridge, and a distinction in the BCL from the University of Oxford. Before joining Chambers, he was the assistant company secretary at Oxford Mutual Aid and volunteered for the Free Representation Unit.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Alastair worked for several years as the Political Adviser to the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee in the House of Commons. He focused particularly on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and various legislative, policy and legal issues arising within the Home Office.

Congratulations to Reuben and Alastair.