Helen Davies QC’s Full 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 Commercial Litigation, 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. She has also acted in many international and domestic arbitrations, and sits as an arbitrator.

Helen Davies has been identified as one of the leading practitioners in the Commercial Litigation, Competition/European, Arbitration, Energy and Insurance/Reinsurance fields by both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for many years.

Commercial Litigation

Helen Davies has acted in a wide variety of commercial cases. Her experience (both as an advocate and in an advisory capacity) ranges from various contractual disputes to energy, banking, insurance/reinsurance, financial services and professional negligence.

Cases of note include: 

  • Berezovsky v Abramovich (£ 4 billion claim for intimidation/breach of trust), Commercial Court
  • Venture v Nuon (£ 100 million claim for completion of purchase agreement relating to various oil and gas assets in North Sea), Commercial Court
  • BP v Dolphin (claim to terminate £ 100 million contract for hire of drilling rig on LOGIC terms), Commercial Court 
  • BBW v Lufthansa (£ 300 million claim relating to share purchase agreement), Commercial Court
  • RBS v Winterthur (£ 50 million claim for breach of share sale warranties/fraudulent misrepresentation), Commercial Court
  • Masri v Consolidated Contractors International UK Ltd (US$ 50 million claim for breach of agreement relating to oil concession in Yemen), Commercial Court
  • Real Estate Opportunities Limited v Aberdeen Asset Management (£ 75 million claim for professional negligence relating to flotation of split capital trust), Ch D and CA
  • Kennecott Utah Copper Corp v Minet Ltd, (professional negligence/reinsurance), Commercial Court and CA
  • GE Reinsurance Corp v New Hampshire Insurance Co and Willis (professional negligence/reinsurance), Commercial Court
  • BP Plc v GE Frankona Reinsurance Limited (insurance/energy), Commercial Court
  • Gio Personal Investment Services v Liverpool and London Steamship P & I Association (access to documents), CA
  • British & Commonwealth Holdings plc (in administration) v Barclays de Zoete Wedd (professional negligence/financial services), Ch D
  • Banco Santander v Banque Paribas (banking), Commercial Court and CA
  • Philip Alexander Securities & Futures Ltd v Bamberger (arbitration/Rome Convention), Commercial Court and CA
  • Henderson v Merrett (professional negligence/accountants), Commercial Court
  • Emerald Meats (London) Ltd v AIB Group (UK) plc (banking), CA
  • Vitol v Norelf (contract), HL

Helen Davies has also appeared in numerous commercial arbitrations, both international and domestic. Many of these have involved claims of very substantial value.

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:

  • FAPL v Ofcom (appeal by FA Premier League against OFCom's decision to require BSkyB to supply its premium sports channels to other pay TV retailers on regulated terms), CAT
  • FAPL v QC Leisure (reference to ECJ in relation to unauthorised use in UK of satellite decoder cards authroised for use in other Member States), ECJ
  • 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, High Court (Article 81/Chapter I claim), High Court 
  • Visa Europe v Commission (re Morgan Stanley)(challenge to Commission Decision under Article 81 EC), CFI
  • Nokia v Qualcomm (FRAND terms), High Court
  • 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

Commercial Litigation:

  • "rightly acclaimed in the market as one of the hot silks of the moment", Helen Davies QC is a "clever, hard-working, commercially aware and thoroughly modern barrister" (Chambers & Partners, 2011)
  • A "star in the making", "highly responsive, clever and good businesslike advocate" (Chambers & Partners, 2010)
  • "...the easy to deal with Helen Davies QC, who many predict to be "a major star of the future". The market holds high hopes for her as she is "very much a ‘can-do' person who cuts to the chase every time." (Chambers & Partners, 2009)
  • "Forceful presence in court, who cuts through obfuscation with clear and concise judgment." (Chambers & Partners, 2008)
  • "Astute, thorough and commercial," "capable of talking the client's language very quickly." (Chambers & Partners 2006)
  • "Superb credentials and a bright future at the commercial Bar" (Legal 500, 2005)
  • "Destined to sit in the Lords one day." (Chambers & Partners 2004)

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)

Energy:

  • "widely acclaimed for her ability on her feet and her "very strong presence in court"" (Chambers & Partners, 2011)
  • "a straight talker of extreme intelligence and real insight" (Chambers & Partners, 2010)
  • "A strong profile and practice in the energy sector", and "well liked by clients" (Chambers & Partners, 2009)
  • "Phenomenally clear and incisive;" "she is absolutely excellent" and "extremely focused on giving the client what they want." (Chambers & Partners, 2008)
  • "Commended for her clear thinking." (Legal 500, 2007)
  • "Hard working and reliable" "very clear and precise in her advice." (Chambers & Partners, 2006)

Banking:

  • "Absolutely a silk in the making, if not already made. Her views are never muddled, always clear and incisive, and always expressed with brevity and accuracy that is welcome." (Legal 500, 2007)
  • "Possesses considerable experience" (Legal 500, 2005)

Insurance and Reinsurance:

  • "terrific", "steely in court" (Chambers & Partners, 2011)
  • she has "an eminent insurance and reinsurance practice to complement her already brilliant general commercial work", and is popular as "she always givesof her all (Chambers & Partners, 2010)
  • Celebrated for her "superb knowledge of insurance law" and "excellent relationships with solicitors" (Chambers & Partners, 2009)
  • "Intelligent and thorough;" "exceptionally good with clients." "The next generation," "extremely bright,"  and "a great team player" (Chambers & Partners, 2008)
  • "Offers an excellent quality of service." (Chambers & Partners, 2006)
  • "Top rated" "possesses logic and astute understanding." (Chambers & Partners, 2006)

Arbitration

  • "a really great young silk - she will go far" (Legal 500, 2010)
  • "rapidly emerging as a notable practitioner in the field" (Chambers & Partners, 2009)
  • "credited with superb potential" (Chambers & Partners, 2006)