Helen Davies QC’s EU/Competition Law CV

Qualifications

BA Hons Law, Class I (Emmanuel College, Camb)

Stage, European Commission DGIV, October 1993

Member of the B Panel to the Crown, 1999-2008

Practice Profile

Helen Davies has extensive experience in all aspects of EU and Competition Law, having appeared as an advocate in numerous cases in the Commercial Court and Chancery Division of the High Court, as well as having appeared in the Court of Appeal, House of Lords and the ECJ.

Helen Davies has been identified as one of the leading practitioners in the Competition/European fields by both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for many years.

European and Competition Law

Having completed a stage in EC Commission Competition Directorate, Helen Davies has also acted in a broad range of European and Competition Law cases before a variety of tribunals, including the UK Courts, the CAT and the Competition Commission, as well as the CFI and the ECJ. These include:

  • Barclays v Competition Commission (judicial review in respect of PPI market investigation), CAT
  • Merger Action Group v Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Reform (judicial review in respect of Lloyds/HBOS merger), CAT 
  • T-Mobile v Ofcom (mobile telephone donor conveyance charges), CAT 
  • Synthon BV v The Licensing Authority (multi million Francovich damages claim), High Court 
  • Virgin Media v BSkyB, High Court (Article 82/Chapter II damages claim), High Court 
  • Office of Fair Trading v Foxtons (Unfair Contract Terms Regulations), High Court and CA
  • Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Services Ltd v Amalgamated Racing Ltd(Article 81/Chapter I claim), High Court 
  • Visa Europe v Commission (re Morgan Stanley) (challenge to Commission Decision under Article 81 EC), CFI 
  • Department of Health v Norton Healthcare and others (Article 81/Chapter I price fixing claim in relation to various generic drugs), High Court 
  • Crehan v Inntrepeneur Pub Co(for intervenor, Visa) (Article 81 EC), House of Lords 
  • Viking Line v International Transport Workers Federation(Free movement of persons/freedom of establishment), High Court and CA
  • Kelloggs v MoDo (Article 81 EC damages), High Court 
  • Provimi v Aventis (Article 81 damages), High Court 
  • UK v Commission (state aid), CFI 
  • British Airways v Commission(Article 82), CFI 
  • Carnoustie Universal SA v International Transport Workers Federation (free movement), High Court 
  • White v White (Directive implementation), House of Lords 
  • Evans v Secretary of State for the Environment (Francovich damages), High Court, CA and ECJ 
  • Re Westminster Property Management Ltd (free movement), High Court  and CA  
  • British Airways/City Flyer, Competition Commission
  • R v Treasury, ex parte British Telecommunications (Directive implementation), High Court, CA and ECJ 

Legal Directory Comments

European/Competition Law

  • "An adroit advocate who really takes the fight to the other side" (Chambers & Partners, 2011)
  • "Bright and responsive" (Legal 500, 2010)
  • "Intellectually superior and very responsive" (Chambers & Partners, 2010)
  • "Magnificently assured in court" she has "impressive presentation skills and a tremendous intellect", and clients warm to her as she is "responsive, extremely pragmatic and very proactive." (Chambers & Partners, 2009)
  • "Phenomenally brilliant competition barrister, whom clients characterise as highly regarded and approachable." A "top quality courtroom performer whom others really enjoy working with," she is "a highly effective communicator both in cases and with clients" and "Outstandingly good." (Chambers & Partners, 2008)