“George is an impressive legal mind and is a wonderful person to work with. He has a unique superpower: he is able to strategise and handle very complex cases in a calm and efficient manner.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“An incredibly clever and astute barrister, who has an enviable combination of technical knowledge and tactical acumen.”
Legal 500, 2025
“He has absolute command of the material and the issues in the case, and is able to suggest pragmatic and creative solutions. His written work and his tribunal advocacy are excellent.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“He is clearly a master of his area. He can analyse an issue succinctly and provides focussed advice. A junior who is years ahead of his call.”
Legal 500, 2024
“He has a unique superpower in that he is able to strategise and handle very complex cases in a totally calm and efficient manner.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Explains things clearly, easy to work with, and dedicated to finding a legal solution where it is not obvious what can be done.”
Legal 500, 2023
“He is super bright, he holds his own in a room and if there's a thorny technical issue he will get the right answer.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“He is off-the-scale bright and meticulously well prepared.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“A thoughtful, considerate and incredibly diligent junior barrister.”
Legal 500, 2021
George has a broad practice across all of Chambers’ main areas of work, with extensive experience of working both as sole counsel and as a member of large teams. He has appeared unled before the High Court, the County Court, the Supreme Court of Gibraltar, Employment Tribunals, the Employment Appeal Tribunal and various domestic tribunals. His experience of led work includes heavy Commercial Court trials, complex judicial reviews, numerous applications to the European Court of Human Rights, and 11 Supreme Court or Privy Council appeals.
George is ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, and has been shortlisted for Employment Junior of the Year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards. Recent feedback includes:
George's clients include individuals (ranging from vulnerable prisoners to billionaires), NGOs (including Liberty, JUSTICE, the AIRE Centre, the Public Law Project, the Good Law Project, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Commission of Jurists), political parties, trade unions, foreign governments, UK government departments, regulators, and businesses large and small. He is a member of the Attorney-General's B Panel of Counsel, the Public International Law C Panel, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Panel of Counsel.
Highlights of George's work include:
George has a strong commitment to pro bono work, and has been nominated (by the Citizens Advice Bureau) for Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year at the Bar Pro Bono Awards.
Before training for the Bar, George was a Prize Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, where he wrote a book on Anglo-Saxon history.
George regularly acts (both led and unled) for claimants, defendants and interveners in a wide range of public law cases. His clients include individuals, NGOs, government departments, regulators and businesses operating in regulated industries.
George is a member of the panels of counsel maintained by the Attorney-General (both the general B panel and the Public International Law C panel) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and a member of the committee of the Young Public Law Group. He also has a strong commitment to pro bono work, and has been nominated by the Citizens Advice Bureau for Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year at the Bar Pro Bono Awards.
George is ranked in Legal 500 (Administrative law and human rights: band 3) and Chambers & Partners (Administrative and public law: band 3).
Highlights of George's experience include:
- Acting for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in the Supreme Court in the successful challenge to the UK government's plan to transfer asylum seekers to Rwanda (R (AAA (Syria)) v SSHD [2023] UKSC 42, [2023] 1 WLR 4433)
- Acting for the claimant financial trading company in a challenge to the lawfulness of a decision to cancel contracts for the sale and purchase of nickel futures on the London Metal Exchange - one of The Lawyer's Top 20 Cases for 2023 (R (Jane Street Global Trading, LLC) v (1) The London Metal Exchange; (2) LME Clear Ltd [2023] EWHC 2969 (Admin))
- Acting for the Claimant in a high-profile challenge to the use of personal devices/accounts and auto-deletion functions for communications about government business (R (All the Citizens Ltd) v (1) Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport; (2) Minister for the Cabinet Office [2022] EWHC 960 (Admin), [2022] 1 WLR 3748)
- Acting for the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority in the High Court and the Court of Appeal in complex litigation regarding issues of domestic public law and retained EU law (R (SSE Generation Ltd) v Competition and Markets Authority [2022] EWHC 865 (Admin), [2022] 4 WLR 76; [2022] EWCA Civ 1472, [2022] 4 WLR 115)
- Acting in the Privy Council in a challenge to a decision of Gibraltar's telecommunications regulator (Gibfibre Ltd v Gibraltar Regulatory Authority [2021] UKPC 31)
- Acting for the Foreign Secretary in a judicial review brought by the parents of Harry Dunn, who was killed when his motorbike was hit by a car driven by the wife of a member of US Embassy staff (R (Charles & Dunn) v SSFCA [2020] EWHC 3185 (Admin), [2021] 1 WLR 1394).
- Acting for Stonewall and LGBT Foundation in the Supreme Court in a case about voter identification pilot schemes, which was one of The Lawyer's Top 10 Appeals for 2022 (R (Coughlan) v Minister for the Cabinet Office [2022] UKSC 11, [2022] 1 WLR 2389).
- Acting for Detention Action in the Supreme Court in a case concerning the status of asylum appeals which were determined under ultra vires procedural rules (R (TN) (Vietnam) v SSHD [2021] UKSC 41, [2021] 1 WLR 4902).
- Acting for the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions before the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in (ultimately successful) defence of a complex claim concerning the interaction of the EU Settlement Scheme and entitlement to Universal Credit (R (Fratila) v SSWP [2020] EWHC 998 (Admin), [2020] PTSR 1424; [2020] EWCA Civ 1741, [2021] 3 All ER 1043; [2021] UKSC 53, [2022] 3 All ER 1045).
“George is a complete expert in his field. His written and oral submissions are excellent. George is extremely personable and willing to help where he can.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“George's written work is outstanding. He focuses on the big picture but he also edits very carefully and looks at it very analytically and thoroughly.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“George has a superb brain, excellent judgment and is a lovely drafter.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“George's advice is clear and effective. His input is invaluable.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“His knowledge and experience of public law cases are impressive. His ability to apply precedent in a variety of commercial situations is excellent. He is a great communicator.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“An incredibly clever and astute barrister, who has an enviable combination of technical knowledge and tactical acumen.”
Legal 500, 2025
“George has great drafting skills. He is able to take something incredibly complex and make it look simple.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“He is excellent at finding novel solutions, and can see issues from every angle.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“His drafting is clear, concise and gets straight to the point. He is someone who takes on a case and works really hard at it. He doesn't shy away.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“He is fantastic: remarkably clever and very good at drafting, too.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“George is extremely helpful and especially quick to come up with new ideas and strategies.”
Legal 500, 2023
Acting for the appellant canal owner in an appeal relating to an order authorising the compulsory purchase of a right to discharge from a sewer into the canal (with Tom de la Mare KC and Charles Morgan).
Acting for the applicant in an A3P1 complaint regarding the disenfranchisement of convicted prisoners (unled).
Advised an individual regarding a private Bill being promoted in Parliament, including issues relating to compatibility with Convention Rights (unled).
Advising a student regarding potential private and public law proceedings against a university, in connection with a disciplinary process (unled).
Acted for the Director of the SFO in defence of claims of breach of confidence, misfeasance in public office and unlawful means conspiracy. The case settled on the second day of what had been due to be a 7-week trial (with Jonathan Hough KC and others).
Acted for HMRC in successful defence of a judicial review challenge to a decision relating to the Disguised Remuneration Repayment Scheme (unled).
Advising a government department on issues relating to vires and sub-delegation (2024).
Acting for financial services companies in an application to the European Court of Human Rights which alleges violations of Articles 6, 13 and 14 and A1P1 (with Tim Otty KC).
Advising a utility company on a regulatory issue (with James McClelland KC).
Acted for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in the successful challenge to the UK government's plan to transfer asylum seekers to Rwanda (with Angus McCullough KC and others).
Advising various clients on a range of confidential matters relating to the water and sewerage industry, including issues relating to the Water Industry Act 1991, the Reservoirs Act 1975, the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994, the Water Industry (Specified Infrastructure Projects) (English Undertakers) Regulations 2013, the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 and the Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 (mix of led and unled work).
Advising Ofgem on a range of different issues relating to the electricity sector (unled).
Acting for a bank in an application to the European Court of Human Rights in relation to a regulatory fine. The case raises issues under A1P1 and Articles 7, 13 and 14 (with Tim Otty KC).
Acted for a university in a dispute about the status of a degree certificate, which raised various public law issues (unled).
Advising a defence weapons expert on public law, Equality Act and Human Rights Act claims after his invitation to speak at a Ministry of Defence conference was revoked because he had expressed criticism of government policies. The government ultimately conceded that the decision was unlawful and withdrew 15 policy/guidance documents (with Ben Collins KC and Jane Russell).
Advising a regulator on potential enforcement action against a utility company (unled).
Acting for the UK government in defence of allegations of violations of Article 5, in the context of immigration detention (with Sir James Eadie KC and Julie Anderson).
Advising a government department on issues relating to commencement powers in legislation (unled).
Advising Freedom from Torture on the Illegal Migration Bill (with Raza Husain KC and others).
Acted for JUSTICE as intervener in an appeal concerning the proper approach to appeals against citizenship deprivation decisions in a national security context (with Tom Hickman KC).
Acted for the claimant financial trading company in a challenge to a decision to cancel various trades in nickel futures. The claim raised issues under domestic public law and A1P1, and included a claim for over $15m in damages. It was one of The Lawyer's Top 20 Cases for 2023 (with James Segan KC).
Acted for a company in a challenge to a costs order made in the course of criminal proceedings. The case included issues of domestic public law and in relation to A1P1, together with the jurisdiction of the High Court in light of s.29(3) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 (unled).
Advising a solicitor regarding an investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (unled).
Acted for PLP in a challenge to the refusal of a FOIA request for copies of submissions to the Independent Review of Administrative Law (with Kate Gallafent QC, and subsequently Gemma White QC)
Advising on various public law issues relating to the Gas Act 1986 (unled).
Acting for the Director of the SFO in defence of a $93m+ claim for alleged misfeasance in public office and inducement of breach of contract/fiduciary duty. The matter was one of The Lawyer's Top 20 Cases for 2021. There was an 11-week trial in the spring/summer of that year, and a further 2-week trial in March 2023 (with Simon Colton KC and others).
Advising a public body on legal obligations in relation to greenhouse gas emissions targets (with Kassie Smith QC).
Advised a public body on wide-ranging public law and human rights issues (with Sir James Eadie QC).
Advising an environmental NGO on a potential judicial review (with Tom de la Mare QC).
Advising Afghan citizens on immigration applications (unled, but in collaboration with various other Blackstone barristers).
Advised a prospective claimant on a potential judicial review claim in relation to a fisheries issue (unled).
Advising on issues relating to parliamentary privilege (unled).
Acting for an interested party before the High Court and the Court of Appeal in a judicial review regarding transmission charges paid by generators of electricity. The case raises various issue of EU and domestic public law (with Kassie Smith QC and Amy Rogers).
Acted for the Claimant in a judicial review relating to the use of personal devices/accounts and auto-deletion functions for communications concerning government business (with Ben Jaffey QC).
Acted for the SSWP in the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in (ultimately successful) defence of a complex claim relating to Article 18 TFEU, the EU Settlement Scheme and the regulations governing entitlement to universal credit and other forms of social assistance (with Sir James Eadie QC and others).
Acted for NGO interveners in a challenge to the lawfulness of pilot schemes which required voters to present proof of identity in order to vote. One of The Lawyer's Top 10 appeals for 2022 (with Tim Otty QC).
Acted for a telecommunications operator in an appeal regarding the interpretation of the Access Directive (with James Segan QC).
Acted for the Foreign Secretary in successful defence of a claim brought by the parents of Harry Dunn, who was killed when his motorbike was hit by a car driven by the wife of a member of US Embassy staff. The case raised issues relating to diplomatic immunity and Article 2 ECHR (with Sir James Eadie QC and others).
Acted for Detention Action in a case concerning the status of asylum appeals which were determined under ultra vires procedural rules (with Charlotte Kilroy QC and Jason Pobjoy).
Acted for Ofgem in defence of an appeal regarding transmission charges paid by generators of electricity. The case raised various issues of EU and domestic public law (with Kassie Smith QC and Ligia Osepciu).
Acted for GEMA in defence of a legitimate expectation and A1P1 claim, in relation to the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme. The case was listed for a 2.5-day hearing, but settled shortly before (with Alan Maclean QC).
Advising a government department on various state aid and public procurement issues (unled).
Acted for a telecommunications company in a regulatory dispute involving issues of EU law (with James Segan KC).
Advising a regulator on an EU/competition law issue (with Kassie Smith QC).
Acted for the defendant in successful defence of a challenge to a decision to refuse applications for British citizenship (unled).
Advised a foreign government on various human rights issues (with Lord Pannick QC).
Acted for the defendant in successful defence of a challenge to a decision to transfer the claimant from one prison to another (unled).
Advised a company regarding an investigation of one of its advertisements by the Advertising Standards Authority (with Brian Kennelly QC).
Advised a government department regarding a possible contempt of court (with James Eadie QC).
Acted for a vulnerable individual in claims against a public authority for false imprisonment and breach of Article 5 ECHR. The case settled for a 5-figure sum (unled).
Acted for the Director of the SFO in successful defence of a challenge to a decision to suspend a review of certain matters relating to an investigation (with James Segan and Tom Richards).
Advised the government of a British Overseas Territory on the implications of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement (unled).
Advised a government department on various issues relating to A1P1, rationality, state aid and public procurement (with James Eadie QC).
Advising a prisoner on potential claims against the operator of a privatised prison, following an assault by another inmate (unled).
Advised the government of a British Overseas Territory on a freedom of information issue (unled).
Advising a regulator on an issue of EU/competition law (unled).
Advising an NGO regarding potential constitutional challenges in overseas jurisdictions to laws which criminalise consensual sexual acts between adults of the same sex in private (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Advising a political party on a constitutional issue (with Tim Otty QC).
Acting for a utility company in relation to enforcement action taken by its regulator (with Michael Fordham QC).
Acted for an individual in a successful appeal regarding Employment and Support Allowance (unled).
Acted for the Ingenious appellants in a high-profile and high-value tax appeal (with Pushpinder Saini QC and others).
Advising a government department on potential infraction proceedings under Article 258 TFEU (with James Segan).
Acted pro bono for the child of a refugee in a human rights appeal against a refusal of entry clearance for family reunion. UK Visas & Immigration withdrew the refusal following the lodging of the appeal (unled).
Advised several professional bodies in the financial services sector about the General Data Protection Regulation and various contractual issues (with Alan Maclean QC).
Advised HMRC in respect of an application for judicial review of a decision relating to VAT offsetting (with Michael Jones).
Advising a trade union on statutory interpretation, indirect discrimination and potential restitutionary claims in respect of a public sector pension scheme (with Alan Maclean QC).
Acted for GEMA, successfully defending an appeal to the CMA under section 173 of the Energy Act 2004. The case focused on the interpretation of an EU Regulation on charges for electricity transmission (with Alan Maclean QC and Iain Steele).
Acted pro bono for the AIRE Centre, intervening in a case about whether the Secretary of State is obliged to permit refugees in the UK's sovereign base areas ("SBAs") in Cyprus to enter the metropolitan UK. The Secretary of State agreed to admit the Claimants after the Supreme Court held that the Refugee Convention applied to the SBAs (with Mike Fordham QC and others).
Provided pro bono advice to an organisation concerned about a local authority's issue of Community Protection Notices to homeless people, prohibiting them from leaving their belongings on the pavement (unled).
Acted for the respondent accountancy regulator in successful defence of an application for judicial review of a disciplinary decision (with Shaheed Fatima QC). (Subject to a possible application to the ECHR by Mr Sipra.)
Advising an environmental NGO on a potential judicial review (with Nathalie Lieven QC).
Acted unled for an interested party company, successfully resisting an application for permission to judicially review a decision of its regulator.
Advising a government department on articles 8, 10 and 14, and various issues of statutory interpretation (with James Eadie QC).
Advising a government department on legitimate expectation and A1P1 issues. The case also involves interpretation of a complex commercial contract (with James Eadie QC).
Advising an environmental NGO pro bono on the availability of compensation (under statute and at common law) to persons affected by flooding and/or flood risk management activities.
Advising pro bono on a potential judicial review of a Minister’s failure to make delegated legislation (with Diya Sen Gupta and Daniel Cashman).
Advised an environmental NGO pro bono in relation to a company's application for planning permission to frack for shale gas (unled).
Advising a telecommunications company on data protection issues (unled).
George has experience of a broad range of civil liberties and human rights work, and regularly acts for individuals, NGOs, foreign governments and UK government departments. His experience includes domestic judicial review claims involving alleged breaches of various Convention Rights, applications to the European Court of Human Rights, and high-value private law claims against state and non-state defendants for alleged violations of fundamental rights (see also the "Damages Claims against the State" and "Group Litigation" sections of his CV).
George is a member of the panels of counsel maintained by the Attorney-General (both the general B panel and the Public International Law C panel) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and a member of the committee of the Young Public Law Group. He also has a strong commitment to pro bono work, and has been nominated by the Citizens Advice Bureau for Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year at the Bar Pro Bono Awards.
George is ranked in Legal 500 (Administrative law and human rights: band 3) and Chambers & Partners (Civil liberties and Human Rights: band 4).
Highlights of George's experience include the following:
- Acting unled for the applicant in a challenge to the UK's alleged failure to implement judgments of the European Court of Human Rights regarding voting by convicted prisoners (Hora v United Kingdom (1048/2020, pending)).
- Acting for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in the Supreme Court in the successful challenge to the UK government's plan to transfer asylum seekers to Rwanda (R (AAA (Syria)) v SSHD [2023] UKSC 42, [2023] 1 WLR 4433).
- Acting for the Government of Ukraine against Russia in an inter-state case before the European Court of Human Rights, involving allegations of mass and gross violations of multiple Convention Rights (Ukraine v Russian Federation (11055/22, pending)).
- Acting for the Government of Iceland before the European Court of Human Rights in a very high-profile Article 6 case relating to judicial appointments (Ástráðsson v Iceland (26374/18, 1 December 2020)).
- Acting for the Government of North Macedonia before the European Court of Human Rights, in defence of applications brought under Articles 5 and/or 6 by, among others, the former Prime Minister and the former Minister of the Interior (Taleski & others v North Macedonia (16 February 2023 - ruled inadmissible); Mijalkov v North Macedonia (pending)).
- Acting for an individual in a claim arising out of the alleged involvement of the UK security services in kidnapping and torture in a foreign country.
- Acting for the claimant financial trading company in a $15m+ A1P1 claim, which was one of The Lawyer's Top 20 Cases for 2023 (R (Jane Street Global Trading, LLC v (1) The London Metal Exchange and (2) LME Clear Ltd [2023] EWHC 2969 (Admin)).
- Acting for the Foreign Secretary in defence of an Article 6 claim brought by the parents of Harry Dunn, who was killed when his motorbike was hit by a car driven by the wife of a member of US Embassy staff (R (Charles & Dunn) v SSFCA [2020] EWHC 3185, [2021] 1 WLR 1394).
- Acting for the Director of the Serious Fraud Office in defence of a $93m+ claim brought by the subject of a criminal investigation (Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation Ltd v Director of the Serious Fraud Office [2022] EWHC 1138 (Comm), [2023] EWHC 3280 (Comm))
- Acting for large numbers of claimants in claims arising out of alleged breaches of fundamental rights by natural resources companies operating in various African countries (e.g. AAA v Petra Diamonds Ltd (settled 2021) and the ongoing Bille/Ogale litigation).
“George is an impressive legal mind and is a wonderful person to work with. He has a unique superpower: he is able to strategise and handle very complex cases in a calm and efficient manner.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“George is exceptionally bright and comes up with extremely creative legal solutions.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“George is an asset to a legal team. He grasps key legal issues swiftly and provides clear and comprehensive advice at each stage.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“George is an incredibly bright advocate, with skill in identifying key issues and navigating the demands of complex litigation.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“George is phenomenally intelligent. He combines his superb technical ability with a very approachable manner.”
Legal 500, 2024
“George is incredibly intellectual and has incredible attention to detail. His drafting is clear and concise and it adds value.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“He owns every single detail of the case, and his arguments are always extremely well thought out. He delivers, in a highly efficient way, amazing quality and added value to his cases.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“He has a unique superpower in that he is able to strategise and handle very complex cases in a totally calm and efficient manner.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“George is extremely helpful and especially quick to come up with new ideas and strategies.”
Legal 500, 2023
“He is really an exceptionally intelligent barrister, who is very hard-working and dedicated.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
Acting for the applicant in an A3P1 complaint regarding the disenfranchisement of convicted prisoners (unled).
Advised an individual regarding a private Bill being promoted in Parliament, including issues relating to compatibility with Convention Rights (unled).
Acting for financial services companies in an application to the European Court of Human Rights which alleges violations of Articles 6, 13 and 14 and A1P1 (with Tim Otty KC).
Acted for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in the successful challenge to the UK government's plan to transfer asylum seekers to Rwanda (with Angus McCullough KC and others).
Acting for a bank in an application to the European Court of Human Rights in relation to a regulatory fine. The case raises issues under A1P1 and Articles 7, 13 and 14 (with Tim Otty KC).
Acting for the UK government in defence of allegations of violations of Article 5, in the context of immigration detention (with Sir James Eadie KC and Julie Anderson).
Acted for the claimant financial trading company in a challenge to a decision to cancel various trades in nickel futures. The claim raised issues under domestic public law and A1P1, and included a claim for over $15m in damages. It was one of The Lawyer's Top 20 Cases for 2023 (with James Segan KC).
Advising a defence weapons expert on public law, Equality Act and Human Rights Act claims after his invitation to speak at a Ministry of Defence conference was revoked because he had expressed criticism of government policies. The government ultimately conceded that the decision was unlawful and withdrew 15 policy/guidance documents (with Ben Collins KC and Jane Russell).
Acting for various Google entities in a case concerning alleged violations of Articles 6, 10 and 13 and A1P1 (with Tim Otty KC and others).
Acting pro bono for Ukraine in a landmark inter-state case involving allegations of mass and gross violations of multiple Convention rights (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Acting for the claimants in group claims arising out of pollution from oil installations in Nigeria, and associated interference with fundamental rights (with Richard Hermer KC and others).
Acted for JUSTICE as intervener in an appeal concerning the proper approach to appeals against citizenship deprivation decisions in a national security context (with Tom Hickman KC).
Advising an individual on issues relating to the right not to be tried twice for the same alleged offence, in the context of Article 54 of the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement and Article 4 of Procotol 7 to the ECHR (with Tim Otty KC).
Acted for the appellant in a successful appeal regarding the proper approach to anonymity applications which involve Convention Rights issues, and applications for permission to amend (unled).
Acting for an individual in a claim arising out of the alleged involvement of the UK security services in unlawful detention and torture in a foreign country, and breaches of data protection legislation (with Tom de la Mare KC).
Acted for a company in a challenge to a costs order made in the course of criminal proceedings. The case included issues of domestic public law and in relation to A1P1, together with the jurisdiction of the High Court in light of s.29(3) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 (unled).
Acting for a prisoner in a claim for alleged breaches of Convention Rights and the Equality Act 2010 (unled).
Acting for the Government of North Macedonia in respect of an Article 5 application, brought by the former head of the State Bureau of Security and Counter Intelligence (with Tim Otty KC).
Acting for the Government of North Macedonia in successful defence of applications raising various issues under Articles 5 and 6 ECHR (with Tim Otty KC).
Acting for the Commonwealth Lawyers Association as amicus curiae in a case about due process rights and access to evidence, in the context of a habeas corpus petition by a detainee at Guantanamo Bay (with Tim Otty QC).
Advised a public body on wide-ranging public law and human rights issues (with Sir James Eadie QC).
Acted for the claimants in a claim against a natural resources company, in respect of serious assaults allegedly perpetrated by security personnel. The case settled (with Tim Otty KC and others).
Acted for the Icelandic government in a high profile Article 6 case before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights, concerning in particular the nature of the "established by law" requirement (with Tim Otty QC).
Acted for the Foreign Secretary in successful defence of a claim brought by the parents of Harry Dunn, who was killed when his motorbike was hit by a car driven by the wife of a member of US Embassy staff. The case raised issues relating to diplomatic immunity and Article 2 ECHR (with Sir James Eadie QC and others).
Acted for GEMA in defence of a legitimate expectation and A1P1 claim, in relation to the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme. The case was listed for a 2.5-day hearing, but settled shortly before (with Alan Maclean QC).
Advised the Open Society Justice Initiative regarding the compatibility with EU law of emergency legislation introduced in Hungary in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic (with Tim Otty QC, Tom de la Mare QC and Emily Neill).
Acted for NGO interveners in a case concerning jurisdiction and the circumstances in which a parent company may be liable in negligence for environmental damage associated with the activities of an overseas subsidiary (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Acted for the claimants in a claim regarding alleged human rights abuses by security personnel at a diamond mine in Tanzania. The case settled (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Acted for Liberty (as intervener) in a case about the proper approach, in the context of a commercial dispute, to evidence which may have been obtained by torture (with Ben Jaffey QC and Natasha Simonsen).
Advised a foreign government on various human rights issues (with Lord Pannick QC).
Advising a prospective claimant on potential claims under domestic and EU data protection legislation (with Ben Jaffey QC).
Acted for the defendant in successful defence of a challenge to a decision to transfer the claimant from one prison to another (unled).
Acted for a vulnerable individual in claims against a public authority for false imprisonment and breach of Article 5 ECHR. The case settled for a 5-figure sum (unled).
Acted for NGO interveners in a case concerning jurisdiction and the circumstances in which a parent company may be liable in negligence for environmental damage associated with the activities of an overseas subsidiary (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Advised a government department on various issues relating to A1P1, rationality, state aid and public procurement (with James Eadie QC).
Advising a prisoner on potential claims against the operator of a privatised prison, following an assault by another inmate (unled).
Advising an NGO regarding potential constitutional challenges in overseas jurisdictions to laws which criminalise consensual sexual acts between adults of the same sex in private (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Advising a political party on a constitutional issue (with Tim Otty QC).
Acted for the Commonwealth Lawyers Association as amicus curiae in a case about due process rights and access to evidence, in the context of a habeas corpus petition by a detainee at Guantanamo Bay (with Tim Otty QC).
Acted pro bono for the child of a refugee in a human rights appeal against a refusal of entry clearance for family reunion. UK Visas & Immigration withdrew the refusal following the lodging of the appeal (unled).
Acted for a prisoner in disability discrimination, race discrimination and Human Rights Act (Articles 8, 14 and A2P1) claims against the Ministry of Justice. The case settled (unled).
Provided pro bono advice to an organisation concerned about a local authority's issue of Community Protection Notices to homeless people, prohibiting them from leaving their belongings on the pavement (unled).
Advising a government department on articles 8, 10 and 14, and various issues of statutory interpretation (with James Eadie QC).
Advising a government department on legitimate expectation and A1P1 issues. The case also involves interpretation of a complex commercial contract (with James Eadie QC).
George acts in a wide range of commercial matters, both as sole counsel and as a member of large teams. His experience includes fact-heavy Commercial Court trials, appeals to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and applications for freezing injunctions, specific disclosure, non-party disclosure and committal.
Highlights of George's experience include:
- Acting for the Director of the Serious Fraud Office in an 11-week trial, defending a $93m+ claim brought by the subject of a criminal investigation (ENRC v Director of the Serious Fraud Office [2022] EWHC 1138 (Comm), [2023] EWHC 3280 (Comm), which was one of The Lawyer's Top 20 Cases for 2021).
- Acting for a major professional services firm in the High Court and the Court of Appeal in a case concerning the proper construction of its LLP agreement (Joseph v Deloitte NSE LLP [2019] EWHC 3583 (QB), [2020] EWCA Civ 1457, [2021] 1 BCLC 325).
- Acting in the Supreme Court in two of the leading cases on jurisdiction and parent companies' duties of care in relation to the acts/omissions of their subsidiaries (Lungowe v Vedanta Resources plc [2019] UKSC 20, [2020] AC 1045 and Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell plc [2021] UKSC 3, [2021] 1 WLR 1294).
- Acting in the Supreme Court in a leading case on the proper approach to hearsay evidence (Shagang Shipping Company Ltd (in liquidation) v HNA Group Company Ltd [2020] UKSC 34, [2020] 1 WLR 3549).
- Acting for the Claimant in a 3-week trial of an €89m civil fraud claim (Baturina v Chistyakov [2017] EWHC 1049 (Comm)).
- Acting for the defendant in a 7-day trial of a contractual and restitutionary claim relating to an alleged agency agreement (AMP Advisory & Management Partners AG v Force India Formula One Team Ltd (in liquidation) [2019] EWHC 2426 (Comm).
Acted for the Director of the SFO in defence of claims of breach of confidence, misfeasance in public office and unlawful means conspiracy. The case settled on the second day of what had been due to be a 7-week trial (with Jonathan Hough KC and others).
Acting for the Director of the SFO in defence of a $93m+ claim for alleged misfeasance in public office and inducement of breach of contract/fiduciary duty. The matter was one of The Lawyer's Top 20 Cases for 2021. There was an 11-week trial in the spring/summer of that year, and a further 2-week trial in March 2023 (with Simon Colton KC and others).
Acted for the defendant in a dispute arising out of alleged breaches of regulatory obligations in respect of the routing of telephone calls. The matter settled (unled).
Acted for the defendant Formula 1 power unit manufacturer in a garden leave dispute. The case settled in the run-up to a speedy trial (with Paul Goulding QC).
Acted for the defendant in a company law dispute. The case settled (unled).
Acted for the claimants in a claim against a natural resources company, in respect of serious assaults allegedly perpetrated by security personnel. The case settled (with Tim Otty KC and others).
Acted for NGO interveners in a case concerning jurisdiction and the circumstances in which a parent company may be liable in negligence for environmental damage associated with the activities of an overseas subsidiary (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Advising an LLP on the enforceability of contractual clauses in restraint of trade (unled).
Acted for the claimants in a claim regarding alleged human rights abuses by security personnel at a diamond mine in Tanzania. The case settled (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Advised a buyer in relation to a Sale of Goods Act 1979 dispute. The case raised issues of quality/fitness, rights of rejection, and a potential restitutionary counterclaim (unled).
Acted for Liberty (as intervener) in a case about the proper approach, in the context of a commercial dispute, to evidence which may have been obtained by torture (with Ben Jaffey QC and Natasha Simonsen).
Acted for NGO interveners in a case concerning jurisdiction and the circumstances in which a parent company may be liable in negligence for environmental damage associated with the activities of an overseas subsidiary (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Acted for the defendant in 7-day trial of a contractual and restitutionary claim relating to an alleged agency agreement (with James Segan).
Acted for Ryanair in successful defence of a flight delay claim under Regulation (EC) 261/2004 (unled).
Acting for a company in an unjust enrichment claim against a former employee, arising out of the issue to him of certain shares (unled).
Advising the government of a British Overseas Territory on the interpretation of a contract relating to a telecommunications cable (unled).
Acted for a financial services company in defence of claims alleging dishonest assistance and under section 213 of the Insolvency Act 1986, in connection with an alleged Missing Trader Intra-Community (MTIC) VAT fraud in the carbon credits market (with Andrew Green QC).
Acted for the claimant telecommunications company in a dispute about the Standard Interconnect Agreement and alleged artificial inflation of traffic. The case was listed for 5-day trial, but settled shortly before (with Alan Maclean QC).
Acted for the claimant in various claims (including deceit, negligence and breach of statutory and fiduciary duties) against a financial adviser, in respect of tax advice. The case settled (with Kieron Beal QC).
Advising a family in respect of a potential claim against an independent school (with Robert Howe QC).
Advising a care home operator on a contractual dispute with a local authority (unled).
Acted for the defendant sportswear supplier in successful defence of contractual claims brought by companies which hold rights to the image of a Premiership footballer (with Ian Mill QC).
Junior counsel in a 3-week Commercial Court trial of a €89m civil fraud case, arising in the context of a joint venture agreement. The case involved claims in deceit, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty (with Andrew Green QC and Adam Baradon).
Acted for the defendant in a dispute about an ex-employee's share options. The case settled shortly before trial (with Andrew Green QC).
Acted for the vendor in a dispute about the sale of shares and related matters. The case involves a debt claim, counterclaims for breach of warranty and misrepresentation, and issues relating to reflective loss (unled).
Advising on the interpretation of contracts concerning rights to the music of a well-known artist (with Andrew Green QC)
Advising a producer on a claim for breach of a film financing contract (unled).
Acted for the claimant in a claim for deceit, breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment. The proceedings included successful applications for freezing injunctions and third party disclosure. The case settled shortly before applications for committal and summary judgment were due to be heard (with Ian Mill QC).
Acted unled in successful application to vary an instalment judgment to require immediate payment. The case also involved issues regarding enforcement procedures and the respective jurisdictions of the High Court and the County Court.
Acting for a music agency business in a claim against a prominent singer for unpaid commission (unled).
Acted unled for an individual in a dispute with a car hire company. The case involves contractual interpretation, penalty clauses and the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Advised (as sole counsel) on the drafting of an assignment of a judgment debt, and the potential implications for enforcement.
George acts both led and unled in a broad range of employment matters. His experience includes Employment Tribunal claims for unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, whistleblowing, holiday pay, deductions from wages, equal pay, direct and indirect discrimination (involving a range of protected characteristics), harassment and victimisation. He also has experience of judicial mediation; TUPE; employment status and IR35 issues; pensions disputes; issues of state and diplomatic immunity; appeals to the EAT; and High Court wrongful dismissal, partnership, employee competition and share option litigation. In addition to his discrimination work in the context of employment, George acts for and against service providers in County Court discrimination claims; for details, please see the "Discrimination" section of his CV.
George is ranked in Chambers & Partners (Employment: band 4) and Legal 500 (Employment: band 3), and has been shortlisted for Employment Junior of the Year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards.
Highlights of George's experience include the following:
- Acting for the former CEO of the London office of Kuwait's sovereign wealth fund, in a case involving issues of state immunity and diplomatic status (Al-Ateeqi v Kuwait Investment Authority (Employment Tribunal, 2024)).
- Acting unled for the respondent in a 4-day trial, successfully defending allegations of direct race discrimination, harassment and victimisation (Bandama v Care Quality Commission (Employment Tribunal, 2023)).
- Acting for a leading Formula 1 power unit manufacturer in a high-profile garden leave dispute (Hodgkinson v Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains Ltd (QBD, 2022)).
- Acting unled in a successful appeal to the EAT on the proper approach to anonymity applications and amendment (LQP v City of York Council [2022] EAT 196).
- Acting unled for the respondent in a 5-day trial, successfully defending numerous allegations of discrimination and whistleblowing detriment (El Fath v Secretary of State for Justice (Employment Tribunal, 2022)).
- Acting for a major professional services firm in the High Court and the Court of Appeal in successful defence of a claim which turned on the proper construction of its LLP agreement (Joseph v Deloitte NSE LLP [2019] EWHC 3583 (QB), [2020] EWCA Civ 1457, [2021] 1 BCLC 325).
- Acting for a well-known footwear business in successful defence of a whistleblowing unfair dismissal claim brought by its former CEO (Shearwood v C&J Clark International Ltd (Employment Tribunal, 2019-2021)).
- Advising Carrie Gracie (the BBC's former China editor) and other journalists on equal pay claims against major media organisations.
“A consummate professional with real presence, George is able to work at a fast pace and remain completely thorough. He can transform cases from a muddle into something clear and concise.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“He is absolutely excellent. He was very attentive to the needs of the lay client and did an exceptional job for them.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“He is quick to grasp the complexities of cases and handle them with an extraordinary degree of precision. He has an astounding capacity for absorbing new material and his written skills are top-notch.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“George is absolutely excellent - he does an exceptional job.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“George is extremely responsive, organised and thorough. His attention to detail is impeccable.”
Legal 500, 2025
“George shows both objectivity and empathy, reassuring clients effectively at every stage. He is extremely responsive and provides comprehensive guidance.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“George is meticulous in his preparation and a highly effective part of the team”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“He has absolute command of the material and the issues in the case, and is able to suggest pragmatic and creative solutions. His written work and his tribunal advocacy are excellent.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“He is clearly a master of his area. He can analyse an issue succinctly and provides focussed advice. A junior who is years ahead of his call.”
Legal 500, 2024
“George is an extremely bright and capable barrister.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Explains things clearly, easy to work with, and dedicated to finding a legal solution where it is not obvious what can be done.”
Legal 500, 2023
“Not only does he have a forensic knowledge of the case, but he is also highly sensitive to clients' needs.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“He is super bright, he holds his own in a room and if there's a thorny technical issue he will get the right answer.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“Imaginative in terms of tactics and thorough in preparation.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Very knowledgeable in his subject area, both in terms of the law and the tribunal/court process.”
Legal 500, 2022
“He's exceptionally intelligent, very commercial and always grasps the case very quickly.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“He is off-the-scale bright and meticulously well prepared.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“A thoughtful, considerate and incredibly diligent junior barrister.”
Legal 500, 2021
“You absolutely know he will not miss a single detail in a case.”
Legal 500, 2021
Acting for the claimant in a whistleblowing case which involves issues relating to alleged state immunity and diplomatic status. An appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal is pending (with Alison Macdonald KC).
Acting for the respondent in a claim involving allegations of race, religion and disability discrimination (unled).
Advising a partner of a global law firm regarding potential discrimination and whistleblowing claims against the firm (unled).
Acted for the respondent at a 4-day trial, in successful defence of claims of direct race discrimination, harassment and victimisation (unled).
Acted for the respondent in claims of alleged direct sexual orientation discrimination, harassment, victimisation and whistleblowing detriment. The case was listed for a 10-day trial, but settled in the run-up (unled).
Acted for the defendant Formula 1 power unit manufacturer in a garden leave dispute. The case settled in the run-up to a speedy trial (with Paul Goulding QC).
Acted for the appellant in a successful appeal regarding the proper approach to anonymity applications which involve Convention Rights issues, and applications for permission to amend (unled).
Acted for the respondent at a 5-day trial, in successful defence of multiple allegations of discrimination and whistleblowing detriment, and of constructive unfair dismissal (unled).
Acting for the respondent sports governing body in defence of a disability discrimination claim in relation to professional qualifications (unled).
Acted for the respondent in successful defence of an unfair dismissal claim (unled).
Acting for the Defendant in a dispute about an employment contract (unled).
Advising an LLP on issues relating to its pension scheme, including the implications of the Equality Act 2010 (unled).
Advising an employer regarding a threatened claim for constructive unfair dismissal, and a potential counterclaim for breach of fiduciary duty. The matter settled (unled).
Advising on various issues relating to the protected characteristic of gender reassignment and the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (unled).
Advising a television presenter on a potential equal pay and sex discrimination claim (with Jane Mulcahy QC).
Advising an LLP on the enforceability of contractual clauses in restraint of trade (unled).
Acted for the respondent footwear business in successful defence of a whistleblowing unfair dismissal claim brought by its former CEO (with Paul Goulding QC). Appeared unled in successful application for 100% of the costs of the proceedings.
Acted for an LLP in successful defence of a claim brought by a member who had been issued a notice of retirement (with Paul Goulding QC).
Acting for the alleged transferor in a TUPE unfair dismissal claim (unled).
Advised the respondent to a disability discrimination and unfair dismissal claim. The case involved complex issues relating to a shareholder agreement, and settled at a judicial mediation (unled).
Acting for the alleged transferee in a TUPE claim. The main issue is whether there was a TUPE transfer (unled).
Acting for a well-known business defending a high-value wrongful dismissal claim brought by a former senior executive (with Paul Goulding QC).
Acted for the claimant in claims for maternity discrimination and unfair dismissal. The case settled for a substantial sum at the end of the fourth day of a five-day trial (unled).
Acting for a company in an unjust enrichment claim against a former employee, arising out of the issue to him of certain shares (unled).
Acting for the respondent in a disability discrimination and unfair dismissal claim brought by an employee who had been imprisoned. The case raises issues relating to the frustration of contracts of employment (unled).
Advised the government of a British Overseas Territory on an employment matter (unled).
Advised a trade union regarding a potential sex discrimination claim in relation to the rules of a public sector pension scheme (unled).
Advising on a potential sex discrimination claim (unled).
Advising on potential claims relating to whistleblowing, sex discrimination and sexual orientation discrimination (unled).
Advising a trade union on potential equal pay claims by its members (with Dinah Rose QC).
Advising a trade union on TUPE issues and measures to ensure that a potential defendant's assets are preserved pending determination of claims (unled).
Acted for a teacher in a judicial mediation of a disability discrimination and unfair dismissal claim. The mediation resulted in a substantial five-figure settlement (unled).
Advising a company in the legal sector on IR35 / employment status issues (with Jane Mulcahy QC).
Acted for the respondent in a successful application to strike out whistleblowing detriments claims (unled).
Advising a deputy headteacher on potential whistleblowing and unfair dismissal claims (unled).
Acted for 3 former casino workers in a judicial mediation, in respect of claims for race discrimination and unfair dismissal. The case settled at the mediation, with each claimant receiving a 5-figure sum (unled).
Advised a claimant on whistleblowing and disability discrimination claims. The case was listed for a 3-day hearing, but settled shortly before (unled).
Advising a trade union on statutory interpretation, indirect discrimination and potential restitutionary claims in respect of a public sector pension scheme (with Alan Maclean QC).
Advising several female employees on equal pay and other sex equality claims (with Jane Mulcahy QC).
Acted for the respondents in claims alleging race discrimination, harassment, victimisation and unlawful deductions from wages. The case was listed for a 5-day trial but settled shortly before (unled).
Acted for the respondent car park operator in an unfair dismissal claim, achieving a 100% reduction in compensation for contributory fault (unled).
Acted for a national-level sports coach in claims for unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal. The case settled (with Pushpinder Saini QC).
Acted for the defendant in a dispute about an ex-employee's share options. The case settled shortly before trial (with Andrew Green QC).
Acted unled for the claimant in successful claims for unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal against a major hospitality company.
Advising an employer about various issues under the Working Time Regulations 1998, including night working and holiday pay (unled).
Acted unled for the respondent in wrongful dismissal and holiday pay claim. The claimant withdrew his claim shortly after the preliminary hearing, and the respondent was awarded substantial costs.
Acting for a company in the healthcare sector against its former senior executive, in claims for breach of confidence and breach of database rights (with Diya Sen Gupta).
Acting for an employer in a claim against an ex-employee who has sought to set up a competing business. The case involves restrictive covenants, breach of confidence, breach of database rights and various economic torts (with Diya Sen Gupta).
George's practice encompasses a wide range of EU, competition and Brexit-related matters, and he is the Secretary of the Bar European Group. His experience includes private law competition claims under Articles 101 and 102 TFEU (and analogous provisions), regulatory disputes (especially in the telecommunications and energy sectors), and litigation concerning citizens' rights in the context of Brexit.
Highlights of George's experience include the following:
- Acting for claimant retailers in the Merchant Interchange Fee litigation before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (Primark Stores Ltd & others v Visa UK Ltd & others; Primark Stores Ltd & others v Mastercard Incorporated & others (CAT, 2022-)).
- Acting for the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority in defence of an appeal to the Competition and Markets Authority regarding various issues of EU law and domestic public law, and in subsequent litigation before the High Court and the Court of Appeal (SSE Generation Ltd v Gas & Electricity Markets Authority (CMA, 2021); R (SSE Generation Ltd) v Competition and Markets Authority [2022] EWHC 865 (Admin), [2022] 4 WLR 76; [2022] EWCA Civ 1472, [2022] 4 WLR 115).
- Acting for a telecommunications company in an appeal to the Privy Council regarding the proper interpretation of the Access Directive (Gibfibre Ltd v Gibraltar Regulatory Authority [2021] UKPC 31).
- Acting for the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions before the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in (ultimately successful) defence of a complex claim concerning the interaction of the EU Settlement Scheme and entitlement to Universal Credit (R (Fratila) v SSWP [2020] EWHC 998 (Admin), [2020] PTSR 1424; [2020] EWCA Civ 1741, [2021] 3 All ER 1043; [2021] UKSC 53, [2022] 3 All ER 1045).
Advising an NGO on issues relating to the EU's relationship with a non-European country (unled).
Acting for various retailers in the Merchant Interchange Fee litigation (with Tristan Jones).
Advising an individual on issues relating to the right not to be tried twice for the same alleged offence, in the context of Article 54 of the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement and Article 4 of Procotol 7 to the ECHR (with Tim Otty KC).
Acted for the claimant telecommunications company in a claim for abuse of dominant position (with James Segan KC).
Acting for an interested party before the High Court and the Court of Appeal in a judicial review regarding transmission charges paid by generators of electricity. The case raises various issue of EU and domestic public law (with Kassie Smith QC and Amy Rogers).
Acted for a telecommunications operator in an appeal regarding the interpretation of the Access Directive (with James Segan QC).
Acted for Ofgem in defence of an appeal regarding transmission charges paid by generators of electricity. The case raised various issues of EU and domestic public law (with Kassie Smith QC and Ligia Osepciu).
Acted for a telecommunications company in a regulatory dispute involving issues of EU law (with James Segan KC).
Acting for the Defendant in a claim for alleged false imprisonment and Francovich damages, in relation to immigration detention (unled).
Advising a regulator on an EU/competition law issue (with Kassie Smith QC).
Advising a government department on various state aid and public procurement issues (unled).
Advised the Open Society Justice Initiative regarding the compatibility with EU law of emergency legislation introduced in Hungary in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic (with Tim Otty QC, Tom de la Mare QC and Emily Neill).
Acted for the SSWP in the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in (ultimately successful) defence of a complex claim relating to Article 18 TFEU, the EU Settlement Scheme and the regulations governing entitlement to universal credit and other forms of social assistance (with Sir James Eadie QC and others).
Advised the government of a British Overseas Territory on the implications of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement (unled).
Advised a government department on various issues relating to A1P1, rationality, state aid and public procurement (with James Eadie QC).
Acted for Ryanair in successful defence of a flight delay claim under Regulation (EC) 261/2004 (unled).
Advising a regulator on an issue of EU/competition law (unled).
Advising a government department on potential infraction proceedings under Article 258 TFEU (with James Segan).
Acting for the claimant in a bilateral investment treaty arbitration, in respect of issues relating to the interaction of international and EU law (with Pushpinder Saini QC).
Acted for GEMA, successfully defending an appeal to the CMA under section 173 of the Energy Act 2004. The case focused on the interpretation of an EU Regulation on charges for electricity transmission (with Alan Maclean QC and Iain Steele).
George's experience of private, public and EU law makes him well-placed to act in competition matters. His experience includes both private law competition claims under Articles 101 and 102 TFEU (and analogous provisions) and regulatory disputes involving competition authorities (especially in the telecommunications and energy sectors).
Highlights of George's experience include the following:
- Acting for a claimant telecommunications company in a claim for alleged abuse of dominant position (Gibfibre Ltd v Gibtelecom Ltd (Supreme Court of Gibraltar, 2021-2023)).
- Acting for claimant retailers in the Merchant Interchange Fee litigation before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (Primark Stores Ltd & others v Visa UK Ltd & others; Primark Stores Ltd & others v Mastercard Incorporated & others (CAT, 2022-)).
- Acting for the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority in defence of an appeal to the Competition and Markets Authority regarding various issues of EU law and domestic public law, and in subsequent litigation before the High Court and the Court of Appeal (SSE Generation Ltd v Gas & Electricity Markets Authority (CMA, 2021); R (SSE Generation Ltd) v Competition and Markets Authority [2022] EWHC 865 (Admin), [2022] 4 WLR 76; [2022] EWCA Civ 1472, [2022] 4 WLR 115).
- Acting for a telecommunications company in an appeal to the Privy Council regarding the proper interpretation of the Access Directive (Gibfibre Ltd v Gibraltar Regulatory Authority [2021] UKPC 31).
Acting for various retailers in the Merchant Interchange Fee litigation (with Tristan Jones).
Acted for the claimant telecommunications company in a claim for abuse of dominant position (with James Segan KC).
Acting for an interested party before the High Court and the Court of Appeal in a judicial review regarding transmission charges paid by generators of electricity. The case raises various issue of EU and domestic public law (with Kassie Smith QC and Amy Rogers).
Acted for a telecommunications operator in an appeal regarding the interpretation of the Access Directive (with James Segan QC).
Acted for Ofgem in defence of an appeal regarding transmission charges paid by generators of electricity. The case raised various issues of EU and domestic public law (with Kassie Smith QC and Ligia Osepciu).
Acted for a telecommunications company in a regulatory dispute involving issues of EU law (with James Segan KC).
Advising a regulator on an EU/competition law issue (with Kassie Smith QC).
Advising a government department on various state aid and public procurement issues (unled).
Advised a government department on various issues relating to A1P1, rationality, state aid and public procurement (with James Eadie QC).
Advising a regulator on an issue of EU/competition law (unled).
Acted for GEMA, successfully defending an appeal to the CMA under section 173 of the Energy Act 2004. The case focused on the interpretation of an EU Regulation on charges for electricity transmission (with Alan Maclean QC and Iain Steele).
George has substantial experience of environmental law, with a particular focus on water quality and industrial pollution. He also has experience of issues relating to greenwashing, climate change, air quality, fisheries and fossil fuel exploration. George is a member of the Attorney-General’s B Panel, and his environmental law work draws on his wide experience of public, private and EU law.
Examples of George’s environmental law work include the following:
- Manchester Ship Canal Company Ltd v United Utilities Water Ltd [2024] UKSC 22, [2024] 3 WLR 356 – George acted for the Manchester Ship Canal in a very high-profile Supreme Court appeal concerning the availability of private law nuisance claims in respect of discharges of sewage into watercourses. The case was one of The Lawyer’s Top 10 appeals for 2023.
- Manchester Ship Canal Company Ltd v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Court of Appeal, pending) - George is acting for the Manchester Ship Canal in an appeal relating to an order authorising the compulsory purchase of a right to discharge sewage into the canal.
- The Bille and Ogale Group Litigation (High Court, ongoing) – George is acting for thousands of claimants against Shell, in claims arising out of pollution from oil installations in Nigeria. George previously acted in an appeal to the Supreme Court on a jurisdictional issue in the same litigation: Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell plc [2021] UKSC 3, [2021] 1 WLR 1294.
- Lungowe v Vedanta Resources plc [2019] UKSC 20, [2020] AC 1045 – George acted in the Supreme Court in the leading case on parent company liability for environmental damage, in the context of alleged liability for pollution from a copper mine in Zambia.
- Confidential advisory work – George has advised on many environmental matters, including water/sewerage issues; potential climate change litigation; misleading environmental claims in advertisements; and potential judicial reviews relating to air quality, fisheries and North Sea oil exploration.
Acting for the appellant canal owner in an appeal relating to an order authorising the compulsory purchase of a right to discharge from a sewer into the canal (with Tom de la Mare KC and Charles Morgan).
Acted for Manchester Ship Canal in a successful appeal to the Supreme Court relating to the availability of common law causes of action in respect of sewerage undertakers' polluting discharges into waterbodies - one of The Lawyer's Top 10 Appeals for 2023 (with Tom de la Mare KC and others).
Acting for the claimants in group claims arising out of pollution from oil installations in Nigeria, and associated interference with fundamental rights (with Richard Hermer KC and others).
Advising various clients on a range of confidential matters relating to the water and sewerage industry, including issues relating to the Water Industry Act 1991, the Reservoirs Act 1975, the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994, the Water Industry (Specified Infrastructure Projects) (English Undertakers) Regulations 2013, the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 and the Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 (mix of led and unled work).
Advising an NGO regarding a complaint about misleading environmental claims in advertisements (with Tom de la Mare KC).
Advising an NGO on potential litigation relating to climate change (unled).
Advising a public body on legal obligations in relation to greenhouse gas emissions targets (with Kassie Smith QC).
Advising fishermen on potential claims in relation to discharges of sewage (unled).
Advising an environmental NGO on a potential judicial review (with Tom de la Mare QC).
Advised a prospective claimant on a potential judicial review claim in relation to a fisheries issue (unled).
Acted for NGO interveners in a case concerning jurisdiction and the circumstances in which a parent company may be liable in negligence for environmental damage associated with the activities of an overseas subsidiary (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Acted for NGO interveners in a case concerning jurisdiction and the circumstances in which a parent company may be liable in negligence for environmental damage associated with the activities of an overseas subsidiary (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Advising an environmental NGO pro bono on the availability of compensation (under statute and at common law) to persons affected by flooding and/or flood risk management activities.
Advising an environmental NGO on a potential judicial review (with Nathalie Lieven QC).
Advised an environmental NGO pro bono in relation to a company's application for planning permission to frack for shale gas (unled).
George has considerable experience of equality and discrimination matters, including direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, victimisation, equal pay, and failure to make reasonable adjustments for persons with disabilities. He has experience of cases involving almost all protected characteristics, and is a member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Panel of Counsel.
Highlights of George's experience include:
- Acting unled for the respondent in a 5-day trial, successfully defending numerous allegations of race and religious belief discrimination (El Fath v Secretary of State for Justice (Employment Tribunal, 2022)).
- Acting for the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions before the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in a complex case which concerned (among other things) the nature of the test for direct discrimination (R (Fratila) v SSWP [2020] EWHC 998 (Admin), [2020] PTSR 1424; [2020] EWCA Civ 1741, [2021] 3 All ER 1043; [2021] UKSC 53, [2022] 3 All ER 1045).
- Advising Carrie Gracie (the BBC's former China editor) and other journalists on equal pay claims against major media organisations.
Advising a partner of a global law firm regarding potential discrimination and whistleblowing claims against the firm (unled).
Acting for two blind claimants in a reasonable adjustments claim against a housing association (unled).
Advising a blind individual on potential claim against a local authority in relation to failure to make reasonable adjustments to arrangements for voting at elections (unled).
Advising a defence weapons expert on public law, Equality Act and Human Rights Act claims after his invitation to speak at a Ministry of Defence conference was revoked because he had expressed criticism of government policies. The government ultimately conceded that the decision was unlawful and withdrew 15 policy/guidance documents (with Ben Collins KC and Jane Russell).
Acted for the respondent at a 4-day trial, in successful defence of claims of direct race discrimination, harassment and victimisation (unled).
Acted for the respondent at a 5-day trial, in successful defence of multiple allegations of discrimination and whistleblowing detriment, and of constructive unfair dismissal (unled).
Acted for the respondent in claims of alleged direct sexual orientation discrimination, harassment, victimisation and whistleblowing detriment. The case was listed for a 10-day trial, but settled in the run-up (unled).
Acting for a prisoner in a claim for alleged breaches of Convention Rights and the Equality Act 2010 (unled).
Acting for the respondent sports governing body in defence of a disability discrimination claim in relation to professional qualifications (unled).
Advising on various issues relating to the protected characteristic of gender reassignment and the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (unled).
Advising an LLP on issues relating to its pension scheme, including the implications of the Equality Act 2010 (unled).
Advising a television presenter on a potential equal pay and sex discrimination claim (with Jane Mulcahy QC).
Acted for the claimant in claims for maternity discrimination and unfair dismissal. The case settled for a substantial sum at the end of the fourth day of a five-day trial (unled).
Advised the respondent to a disability discrimination and unfair dismissal claim. The case involved complex issues relating to a shareholder agreement, and settled at a judicial mediation (unled).
Advised a trade union regarding a potential sex discrimination claim in relation to the rules of a public sector pension scheme (unled).
Acting for the respondent in a disability discrimination and unfair dismissal claim brought by an employee who had been imprisoned. The case raises issues relating to the frustration of contracts of employment (unled).
Advising on potential claims relating to whistleblowing, sex discrimination and sexual orientation discrimination (unled).
Advising a trade union on potential equal pay claims by its members (with Dinah Rose QC).
Advising on a potential sex discrimination claim (unled).
Acted for a teacher in a judicial mediation of a disability discrimination and unfair dismissal claim. The mediation resulted in a substantial five-figure settlement (unled).
Acted for 3 former casino workers in a judicial mediation, in respect of claims for race discrimination and unfair dismissal. The case settled at the mediation, with each claimant receiving a 5-figure sum (unled).
Advising a trade union on statutory interpretation, indirect discrimination and potential restitutionary claims in respect of a public sector pension scheme (with Alan Maclean QC).
Acted for the respondents in claims alleging race discrimination, harassment, victimisation and unlawful deductions from wages. The case was listed for a 5-day trial but settled shortly before (unled).
Advised a claimant on whistleblowing and disability discrimination claims. The case was listed for a 3-day hearing, but settled shortly before (unled).
Acted for a prisoner in disability discrimination, race discrimination and Human Rights Act (Articles 8, 14 and A2P1) claims against the Ministry of Justice. The case settled (unled).
Advising several female employees on equal pay and other sex equality claims (with Jane Mulcahy QC).
Acted unled for the defendant operator of a major sports ground in a claim brought by a visually-impaired person, who alleged a failure to make reasonable adjustments. The case settled.
Advising on issues relating to caste discrimination (with Diya Sen Gupta).
George has significant experience of group litigation, particularly (but not only) in the context of mass tort claims brought against English-domiciled parent companies and their overseas subsidiaries in respect of alleged human rights abuses and/or environmental damage.
Highlights of George's experience include:
- The Bille and Ogale Group Litigation (High Court, ongoing) – George is acting for thousands of claimants against Shell, in claims arising out of pollution from oil installations in Nigeria. George previously acted in an appeal to the Supreme Court on a jurisdictional issue in the same litigation: Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell plc [2021] UKSC 3, [2021] 1 WLR 1294.
- Various claimants v [Natural resources company] (settled, 2023) - George acted for a large group of claimants in a claim against a natural resources company, in respect of alleged assaults by security personnel in a foreign country.
- AAA and others v Petra Diamonds Ltd (settled, 2021) - George acted for several dozen claimants in claims regarding alleged human rights abuses by security personnel at a diamond mine in Tanzania.
- The Merchant Interchange Fee Umbrella Proceedings (CAT, 2022-) - George acted for Primark Stores Ltd and several related entities at certain stages of complex proceedings brought by numerous claimants against Visa and Mastercard.
- Lungowe and others v Vedanta Resources plc [2019] UKSC 20, [2020] AC 1045 – George acted in the Supreme Court in the leading case on parent company liability for environmental damage, in the context of alleged liability for pollution from a copper mine in Zambia.
Acting for the claimants in group claims arising out of pollution from oil installations in Nigeria, and associated interference with fundamental rights (with Richard Hermer KC and others).
Acted for the claimants in a claim regarding alleged human rights abuses by security personnel at a diamond mine in Tanzania. The case settled (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Acted for the claimants in a claim against a natural resources company, in respect of serious assaults allegedly perpetrated by security personnel. The case settled (with Tim Otty KC and others).
Acting for various retailers in the Merchant Interchange Fee litigation (with Tristan Jones).
Acted for NGO interveners in a case concerning jurisdiction and the circumstances in which a parent company may be liable in negligence for environmental damage associated with the activities of an overseas subsidiary (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Acted for NGO interveners in a case concerning jurisdiction and the circumstances in which a parent company may be liable in negligence for environmental damage associated with the activities of an overseas subsidiary (with Tim Otty QC and others).
George has extensive experience of damages claims against states and state bodies, and acts for claimants (ranging from vulnerable prisoners to large companies), UK public bodies and foreign governments. He has acted in several matters before the European Court of Human Rights, and at the domestic level has experience of claims at common law and under the Human Rights Act 1998, the Equality Act 2010 and the Francovich principle.
Highlights of George's experience include:
- Acting for the Director of the Serious Fraud Office in an 11-week Commercial Court trial of a claim for $93m+, brought by the subject of a criminal investigation (ENRC v Director of the Serious Fraud Office [2022] EWHC 1138 (Comm), [2023] EWHC 3280 (Comm), one of The Lawyer's Top 20 Cases for 2021).
- Acting for the Government of Ukraine against Russia in an inter-state case before the European Court of Human Rights, involving allegations of mass and gross violations of multiple Convention Rights (Ukraine v Russian Federation (11055/22, pending)).
- Acting for the Government of Iceland before the European Court of Human Rights in a very high-profile Article 6 case relating to judicial appointments (Ástráðsson v Iceland (26374/18, 1 December 2020)).
- Acting for the Government of North Macedonia before the European Court of Human Rights, in defence of applications brought under Articles 5 and/or 6 by, among others, the former Prime Minister and the former Minister of the Interior (Taleski & others v North Macedonia (16 February 2023 - ruled inadmissible); Mijalkov v North Macedonia (pending)).
Acted for the Director of the SFO in defence of claims of breach of confidence, misfeasance in public office and unlawful means conspiracy. The case settled on the second day of what had been due to be a 7-week trial (with Jonathan Hough KC and others).
Acting for financial services companies in an application to the European Court of Human Rights which alleges violations of Articles 6, 13 and 14 and A1P1 (with Tim Otty KC).
Acting for the applicant in an A3P1 complaint regarding the disenfranchisement of convicted prisoners (unled).
Acting for a bank in an application to the European Court of Human Rights in relation to a regulatory fine. The case raises issues under A1P1 and Articles 7, 13 and 14 (with Tim Otty KC).
Acting for the Director of the SFO in defence of a $93m+ claim for alleged misfeasance in public office and inducement of breach of contract/fiduciary duty. The matter was one of The Lawyer's Top 20 Cases for 2021. There was an 11-week trial in the spring/summer of that year, and a further 2-week trial in March 2023 (with Simon Colton KC and others).
Acting pro bono for Ukraine in a landmark inter-state case involving allegations of mass and gross violations of multiple Convention rights (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Acting for an individual in a claim arising out of the alleged involvement of the UK security services in unlawful detention and torture in a foreign country, and breaches of data protection legislation (with Tom de la Mare KC).
Acting for the Government of North Macedonia in successful defence of applications raising various issues under Articles 5 and 6 ECHR (with Tim Otty KC).
Acting for the Government of North Macedonia in respect of an Article 5 application, brought by the former head of the State Bureau of Security and Counter Intelligence (with Tim Otty KC).
Acted for the Icelandic government in a high profile Article 6 case before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights, concerning in particular the nature of the "established by law" requirement (with Tim Otty QC).
Acting for the Defendant in a claim for alleged false imprisonment and Francovich damages, in relation to immigration detention (unled).
Acted for a vulnerable individual in claims against a public authority for false imprisonment and breach of Article 5 ECHR. The case settled for a 5-figure sum (unled).
Acted for a prisoner in disability discrimination, race discrimination and Human Rights Act (Articles 8, 14 and A2P1) claims against the Ministry of Justice. The case settled (unled).
Advising a prisoner on potential claims against the operator of a privatised prison, following an assault by another inmate (unled).
George is a member of the Attorney-General's Public International Law C Panel, and has experience of several matters in this area.
Highlights of George's experience include:
- Acting for the former CEO of the London office of Kuwait's sovereign wealth fund, in a claim raising issues of state immunity and diplomatic status (Al-Ateeqi v Kuwait Investment Authority (Employment Tribunal, 2024)).
- Acting for the Government of Ukraine against Russia in an inter-state case before the European Court of Human Rights, involving allegations of mass and gross violations of multiple Convention Rights (Ukraine v Russian Federation (11055/22, pending)).
- Acting for the Foreign Secretary in a high-profile judicial review claim regarding the scope of diplomatic immunity, brought by the parents of a man who was killed when his motorbike was hit by a car driven by the wife of a member of US Embassy staff (R (Charles & Dunn) v SSFCA [2020] EWHC 3185 (Admin), [2021] 1 WLR 1394).
- Acting for the AIRE Centre in the Supreme Court in a case about the territorial extent of the Refugee Convention (R (Bashir) v SSHD [2018] UKSC 45, [2019] AC 484).
Acting for the claimant in a whistleblowing case which involves issues relating to alleged state immunity and diplomatic status. An appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal is pending (with Alison Macdonald KC).
Advising an overseas entity on various issues relating to state immunity (with Sam Grodzinski KC).
Advising an NGO on issues relating to the EU's relationship with a non-European country (unled).
Advising a public body on issues relating to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (unled).
Acting for financial services companies in an application to the European Court of Human Rights which alleges violations of Articles 6, 13 and 14 and A1P1 (with Tim Otty KC).
Acting pro bono for Ukraine in a landmark inter-state case involving allegations of mass and gross violations of multiple Convention rights (with Tim Otty QC and others).
Acting for a bank in an application to the European Court of Human Rights in relation to a regulatory fine. The case raises issues under A1P1 and Articles 7, 13 and 14 (with Tim Otty KC).
Acting for various Google entities in a case concerning alleged violations of Articles 6, 10 and 13 and A1P1 (with Tim Otty KC and others).
Acting for the Government of North Macedonia in respect of an Article 5 application, brought by the former head of the State Bureau of Security and Counter Intelligence (with Tim Otty KC).
Acting for the Government of North Macedonia in successful defence of applications raising various issues under Articles 5 and 6 ECHR (with Tim Otty KC).
Acted for the Icelandic government in a high profile Article 6 case before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights, concerning in particular the nature of the "established by law" requirement (with Tim Otty QC).
Acted for the Foreign Secretary in successful defence of a claim brought by the parents of Harry Dunn, who was killed when his motorbike was hit by a car driven by the wife of a member of US Embassy staff. The case raised issues relating to diplomatic immunity and Article 2 ECHR (with Sir James Eadie QC and others).
Advised the government of a British Overseas Territory on the implications of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement (unled).
Acted pro bono for the AIRE Centre, intervening in a case about whether the Secretary of State is obliged to permit refugees in the UK's sovereign base areas ("SBAs") in Cyprus to enter the metropolitan UK. The Secretary of State agreed to admit the Claimants after the Supreme Court held that the Refugee Convention applied to the SBAs (with Mike Fordham QC and others).
Acting for the claimant in a bilateral investment treaty arbitration, in respect of issues relating to the interaction of international and EU law (with Pushpinder Saini QC).
George has substantial experience of work in the Energy sector, with a particular focus on regulatory issues in the electricity and gas markets. He is a member of the Attorney-General’s B Panel and frequently advises and acts for Ofgem, drawing on his wide experience of public, private and EU law. He is ranked in Legal 500 (Energy: band 4).
Examples of George’s work in the Energy field include the following:
- R (SSE Generation Ltd) v Competition and Markets Authority [2022] EWHC 865 (Admin), [2022] 4 WLR 76; [2022] EWCA Civ 1472, [2022] 4 WLR 115 – George acted for Ofgem in the High Court and the Court of Appeal in a case which raised complex questions of Retained EU Law in the context of electricity transmission.
- SSE Generation Ltd v Gas & Electricity Markets Authority (Competition and Markets Authority, 2021) – George acted for Ofgem in defence of an appeal to the CMA arising out of a major review of the Code which governs electricity transmission charges.
- R (Wood Boilers LLP) v Gas & Electricity Markets Authority (Administrative Court, 2021) – George acted for Ofgem in defence of a legitimate expectation and A1P1 claim, in relation to the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme. The Claimant withdrew its claim shortly before the case was due to be heard.
- EDF Energy (Thermal Generation) Ltd and others v Gas & Electricity Markets Authority (Competition and Markets Authority, 2018) – George acted for Ofgem in successful defence of an appeal to the CMA in relation to the methodology for setting electricity transmission charges.
- Confidential advisory work – George frequently advises on regulatory issues which arise in the Energy sector, including in particular in relation to the Gas Act 1986, the Electricity Act 1989, the Energy Act 2004 and the Climate Change Act 2008.
“Incredibly smart, he grasps issues with impressive speed and he makes very compelling arguments.”
Legal 500, 2025
Advising Ofgem on a range of different issues relating to the electricity sector (unled).
Acting for an interested party before the High Court and the Court of Appeal in a judicial review regarding transmission charges paid by generators of electricity. The case raises various issue of EU and domestic public law (with Kassie Smith QC and Amy Rogers).
Advising on various public law issues relating to the Gas Act 1986 (unled).
Acted for Ofgem in defence of an appeal regarding transmission charges paid by generators of electricity. The case raised various issues of EU and domestic public law (with Kassie Smith QC and Ligia Osepciu).
Acted for GEMA in defence of a legitimate expectation and A1P1 claim, in relation to the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme. The case was listed for a 2.5-day hearing, but settled shortly before (with Alan Maclean QC).
Acted for GEMA, successfully defending an appeal to the CMA under section 173 of the Energy Act 2004. The case focused on the interpretation of an EU Regulation on charges for electricity transmission (with Alan Maclean QC and Iain Steele).
George has significant experience of work in the Telecommunications sector, in particular arising out of his involvement in a long-running series of disputes concerning regulatory and competition issues in Gibraltar. His work in this area draws on his wide experience of public, private, EU and competition law. He is ranked in Legal 500 (Telecoms Regulation: band 2).
Examples of George’s work in the Telecommunications field include the following:
- Gibfibre Ltd v Gibtelecom Ltd (Supreme Court of Gibraltar, 2021-2023) – George acted for Gibfibre in a claim for alleged abuse of dominant position, in relation to the supply of communications services at the largest data centre in Gibraltar.
- Gibtelecom Ltd v (1) Gibraltar Regulatory Authority; and (2) Gibfibre Ltd (Supreme Court of Gibraltar, 2020-2023) – George acted for Gibfibre in a regulatory dispute regarding the extent of obligations to provide wholesale leased lines.
- Gibfibre Ltd v Gibraltar Regulatory Authority [2021] UKPC 31 – George acted for Gibfibre in an appeal to the Privy Council regarding the extent of a regulator’s powers to address anti-competitive practices.
- Telecom2 Ltd v Core Telecom Ltd (County Court, settled 2023) – George acted unled for the defendant in a dispute arising out of alleged breaches of regulatory obligations in respect of the routing of telephone calls.
- 24 Seven Communications Ltd v British Telecommunications plc (Commercial Court, settled 2019) – George acted for the claimant in a dispute about the Standard Interconnect Agreement and alleged artificial inflation of traffic.
Acted for the claimant telecommunications company in a claim for abuse of dominant position (with James Segan KC).
Acted for a telecommunications operator in an appeal regarding the interpretation of the Access Directive (with James Segan QC).
Acted for the defendant in a dispute arising out of alleged breaches of regulatory obligations in respect of the routing of telephone calls. The matter settled (unled).
Acted for a telecommunications company in a regulatory dispute involving issues of EU law (with James Segan KC).
Acted for the claimant telecommunications company in a dispute about the Standard Interconnect Agreement and alleged artificial inflation of traffic. The case was listed for 5-day trial, but settled shortly before (with Alan Maclean QC).
Advising the government of a British Overseas Territory on the interpretation of a contract relating to a telecommunications cable (unled).
Advising a telecommunications company on data protection issues (unled).
George has substantial experience of cases involving issues of data protection, freedom of information and/or privacy. His experience includes matters concerning the Public Records Act 1958, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulation, and domestic data protection legislation.
Highlights of George's experience include:
- Acting for Dr Michael Lynch in a high-profile data protection claim against the Serious Fraud Office (Lynch v Director of the Serious Fraud Office (KBD, 2024, settled)).
- Acting for the claimant in a high-profile case regarding data preservation obligations in the context of the use of non-corporate devices (R (All the Citizens Ltd) v SSDCMS [2022] EWHC 960 (Admin), [2022] 1 WLR 3748).
- Acting for the Public Law Project in a challenge to the refusal of a FOIA request for copies of submissions to the Independent Review of Administrative Law (Public Law Project v Information Commissioner (EA/2021/0378)).
- Acting unled for the successful appellant in a case regarding the proper approach to anonymity orders in the Employment Tribunal (LQP v City of York Council [2022] EAT 196).
Acted for the claimant in a claim under s.167 DPA 2018, in relation to a data subject access request. The case was listed for a speedy trial, but settled shortly before (with Lord Pannick KC and Julianne Kerr Morrison).
Advising a public body on mechanisms to seek the recovery of a document of historical significance which had been disposed of by mistake. The case raised a mix of private and public law issues, including in relation to the Public Records Act 1958 (unled).
Acted for the CPS in successful defence of an appeal relating to a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (unled).
Acted for the appellant in a successful appeal regarding the proper approach to anonymity applications which involve Convention Rights issues, and applications for permission to amend (unled).
Acting for an individual in a claim arising out of the alleged involvement of the UK security services in unlawful detention and torture in a foreign country, and breaches of data protection legislation (with Tom de la Mare KC).
Acted for an Oxford college as a respondent to a Freedom of Information Act appeal. The appellant withdrew the appeal by consent on the second day of a 2-day hearing (unled).
Acted for PLP in a challenge to the refusal of a FOIA request for copies of submissions to the Independent Review of Administrative Law (with Kate Gallafent QC, and subsequently Gemma White QC)
Acted for the Claimant in a judicial review relating to the use of personal devices/accounts and auto-deletion functions for communications concerning government business (with Ben Jaffey QC).
Advising a prospective claimant on potential claims under domestic and EU data protection legislation (with Ben Jaffey QC).
Advised the government of a British Overseas Territory on a freedom of information issue (unled).
Advised several professional bodies in the financial services sector about the General Data Protection Regulation and various contractual issues (with Alan Maclean QC).
Advised a professional body (in the financial services sector) on the admissibility of a covert recording in disciplinary proceedings (unled).
Advising a telecommunications company on data protection issues (unled).
George has substantial experience of immigration and nationality matters. At first instance, he has acted unled in cases regarding entry clearance, applications for British nationality and immigration detention. He has also appeared in Supreme Court appeals concerning the UK government's plan to transfer asylum seekers to Rwanda (R (AAA (Syria)) v SSHD [2023] UKSC 42, [2023] 1 WLR 4433), the status of asylum appeals determined under ultra vires procedural rules (R (TN (Vietnam)) v SSHD [2021] UKSC 41, [2021] 1 WLR 4902), the benefits entitlements of holders of pre-settled status (R (Fratila) v SSWP [2021] UKSC 53, [2022] 3 All ER 1045), and the territorial scope of the Refugee Convention (R (Bashir) v SSHD [2018] UKSC 45, [2019] AC 484).
Acted for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in the successful challenge to the UK government's plan to transfer asylum seekers to Rwanda (with Angus McCullough KC and others).
Acting for the UK government in defence of allegations of violations of Article 5, in the context of immigration detention (with Sir James Eadie KC and Julie Anderson).
Advising Freedom from Torture on the Illegal Migration Bill (with Raza Husain KC and others).
Acted for JUSTICE as intervener in an appeal concerning the proper approach to appeals against citizenship deprivation decisions in a national security context (with Tom Hickman KC).
Advising Afghan citizens on immigration applications (unled, but in collaboration with various other Blackstone barristers).
Acted for the SSWP in the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in (ultimately successful) defence of a complex claim relating to Article 18 TFEU, the EU Settlement Scheme and the regulations governing entitlement to universal credit and other forms of social assistance (with Sir James Eadie QC and others).
Acted for Detention Action in a case concerning the status of asylum appeals which were determined under ultra vires procedural rules (with Charlotte Kilroy QC and Jason Pobjoy).
Acting for the Defendant in a claim for alleged false imprisonment and Francovich damages, in relation to immigration detention (unled).
Acted for the defendant in successful defence of a challenge to a decision to refuse applications for British citizenship (unled).
Acted pro bono for the child of a refugee in a human rights appeal against a refusal of entry clearance for family reunion. UK Visas & Immigration withdrew the refusal following the lodging of the appeal (unled).
Acted pro bono for the AIRE Centre, intervening in a case about whether the Secretary of State is obliged to permit refugees in the UK's sovereign base areas ("SBAs") in Cyprus to enter the metropolitan UK. The Secretary of State agreed to admit the Claimants after the Supreme Court held that the Refugee Convention applied to the SBAs (with Mike Fordham QC and others).
BA Modern History (Oxford): 1st class, top of year; DPhil History (Oxford); GDL (City): Distinction, top of year; BPTC (City): Outstanding, top of year
VAT registration number: 248640001
Barristers regulated by the Bar Standards Board
Gary Oliver
Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7325
Derek Sutton
Deputy Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7327
Adam Sloane
Deputy Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7326
Dean Tolman
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7331
Billy Brian
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7339
Marc Armstrong
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7330
Adam Fuschillo
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7329
Danny Compton
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7338
Sophie Reeve
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7324
Toby Dennison
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7328
Daniel Higgins
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7322
Lilly-Grace Hilliard
Clerk
+44 (0)20 7822 7234
