Gary Oliver
Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7325
Ravi is a leading junior with a wide-ranging practice across Chambers’ main areas of work. He has a particular expertise and experience of the cross-over between international and European law, public law, and commercial litigation. His clients include blue chip corporations, individuals, NGOs and regulatory bodies.
Ravi regularly appears - unled and led - before a range of tribunals and courts, including the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights, employment, immigration and social security tribunals, sports arbitral tribunals, the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Upper Tribunal (Tax & Chancery, General Administrative and Immigration & Asylum Chambers). He has also assisted in mediations and arbitrations.
Ravi has particular expertise in EU, competition law, international human rights and international trade law through his practice, as well as having worked as a judicial assistant (stagiaire) to the cabinet of the British judge at the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg and as a Fellow at the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at New York University School of Law.
Ravi is a member of the Attorney General's B Panel (effective September 2021). Ravi was appointed as a trustee of the Public Law Project (PLP) in December 2023. Ravi has been appointed to the Sports Resolution Pro Bono Panel until 2027.
In 2024, Ravi was named Legal 500 Sport Junior of the Year and was nominated for Junior Pro Bono Barrister of the Year.
Ravi is ranked as a leading junior by both of the key independent legal directories, Legal 500 and Chambers UK, as well as the JUVE Patent directories.
Ravi regularly acts for private entities and individuals as well as local and national regulatory bodies on issues of EU law ranging from environment, pharmaceutical regulation, data protection, tax, pensions, public procurement, free movement and telecommunications. He has appeared in three high-profile led and unled in cases before the Grand Chamber of the CJEU, including cases concerning the constitutional status of Gibraltar (GBGA), and UK data retention legislation (Watson v SSHD), and the European Banking Authority (ABE) as well as cases in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court raising novel issues on the application of EU law in domestic proceedings.
Ravi is a Committee member of the Bar European Group and the European Circuit. He is also a member of UKELA. He is ranked as a ‘leading junior’ in both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500.
“Ravi is very bright, commercial and easy to work with.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“Ravi Mehta's ability to decipher really complex matters and put it into a more easily understood form is something that is really appreciated.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“Ravi Mehta is hard-working, super capable and very pleasant to deal with.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“Ravi is a highly intelligent counsel who has the ability to advise on and find solutions to complex, and often, bespoke matters. He is able to articulate with ease and to make the case on complex issues appear like a walk in the park.”
Legal 500, 2025
“His strengths are his work ethic and the practicality of his advice and strategising. I can't speak highly enough of him.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Succinct and to the point; Ravi grasps issues easily and provides extremely clear advice, which tends to bring him out on the winning side in cases.”
Legal 500, 2023
“A barrister possessing the iron first in the velvet glove, Ravi is unreservedly supportive and has a comprehensive knowledge of competition law, especially in the sporting context.”
Legal 500, 2023
“Great analytical skills, good with clients, produced excellent written advice and legal documents.”
Legal 500, 2022
“He is very user-friendly, a subject matter expert and really helpful.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“A razor-sharp legal mind always willing to go the extra mile.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Extremely intelligent – sees the problem and suggests solutions”
Legal 500, 2021
“Ravi is good on the detail and has a broad knowledge of a wide range of legal issues.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“He's incredibly responsive, which is brilliant when you need someone at the end of the phone to give a quick view.”
Chambers and Partners, 2020
“Grasps the issues very quickly and gets into the detail in an incredibly efficient way.”
Chambers and Partners, 2020
“Very hardworking and extremely thorough.”
Legal 500, 2019
“A bright, hardworking junior, who is an excellent team player”
Legal 500, 2018
“highly regarded by the silks he works with”
Legal 500, 2018
Ravi is instructed (with Thomas de la Mare KC) in a high-profile dispute concerning the alleged breach of EU emissions legislation. In particular, he will be acting in a dispute listed for October 2024, which raises EU law issues under the Withdrawal Act.
Advising a leading NGO in relation to trade and environmental issues.
Ravi acted for the AIRE Centre, as Intervener in an appeal concerning the payment of the care component of disability living allowance (as well as certain Withdrawal Act issues).
Ravi acted alongside Brian Kennelly KC on behalf of the European Banking Authority in a case heard by the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) concerning a challenge to the legality of guidelines issued by the European Banking Authority (“EBA”) in 2016.
Ravi acted successfully for the Interested Party in judicial review proceedings concerning the hybrid abridged procedure for authorisation of medicinal products under article 10(3) of the Medicinal Code. The case raised novel questions of EU law concerning the reliance upon data previously submitted by a separate generic manufacturer.
Ravi acted successfully for the Claimant in the third EU law challenge to the UK’s ongoing failure to meet air quality standards in 45 local authority areas across England and in Wales, raising issues concerning effective domestic remedies for breaches of EU Directives.
In its judgment, the Court ordered a new remedy for the first time in judicial review proceedings: liberty to apply extending to the lawfulness of the supplemental Air Quality Plan for England, published in October 2018.
Ravi is acting for Open Rights Group and Privacy International as interveners in these high-profile proceedings concerning the compatibility of the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act 2014 with EU law and the ECHR. The Divisional Court ([2015] EWHC 2092 (Admin); [2016] 1 C.M.L.R. 13) declared that that s.1 of the Act is inconsistent with EU law and granted a suspended order disapplying the provision. On appeal, the Court of Appeal referred a number of questions to the CJEU on the consequences of the CJEU’s judgment on the Data Retention Directive in Joined Cases C-293/12 and 594/12 Digital Rights Ireland.
Ravi acted successfully in an EU law challenge to the UK’s failure to meet air quality standards in London and other major urban areas, raising issues concerning effective domestic remedies for breaches of EU Directives. The Court ordered a full reconsideration of the air quality plans for the entire country..
Ravi acted as junior counsel for Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar in this challenge to the legality of Part 3 of the Finance Act 2013 for alleged incompatibility with EU law (with Lord Pannick QC). The High Court referred fundamental questions of EU law to the CJEU, including a question relating to the constitutional status of Gibraltar in EU law which was determined by the Grand Chamber.
Ravi acted for Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar as an Interested Party in proceedings in the Upper Tribunal, which led to a preliminary reference to the CJEU raising issues concerning the applicability of the freedom of establishment and the free movement of capital provisions of the EU Treaties to persons established in/providing services from Gibraltar.
Advising PhonepayPlus on its update of the Code of Practice.
Ravi acted successfully in long-running and complex appellate proceedings before the Upper Tribunal concerning the right to employment support allowance for EU nationals residing in the UK on the basis of a temporary and/or permanent incapacity to work and the transitional regime applied to so-called “accession workers”. The case has, to date, given rise to three judgments of the Upper , including a significant ruling that the UK had not derogated from Article 17 of the Citizens’ Directive in relation to A8 nationals, such that they were entitled to rely upon its grounds even whilst awaiting their period of registered employment to be completed. The Upper Tribunal upheld Ms Zakrzewska’s claim.
Acting for a claimant relying upon derivative residence rights on Surinder Singh principles in an appeal to the Upper Tribunal.
Successful appeal (acting pro bono) for claimants in First-Tier and Upper Tribunal proceedings raising Chen, Zambrano and Article 8 ECHR issues.
Ravi acted as junior counsel for Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar in this high profile case concerning a challenge to the compatibility of the Gambling Act 2005, as amended, with EU law. The case raised complex issues concerning the constitutional status of Gibraltar under EU law.
Acting for the claimant in a public procurement challenge to the amendment of one of the largest Government contracts in the UK, the DVLA’s contract for IT services.
Ravi acted for the Claimant in a case concerning the definition of a “medicinal product” under the Medicines Directive and the duties of the MHRA to apply the so-called functional test in a consistent fashion to like products (with Thomas de la Mare QC).
Ravi successfully represented the Arts Council in resisting a judicial review concerning a highly valuable painting attributed to the Italian artist Giotto di Bondone, following the Arts Council’s refusal to issue an export licence. This was the first case concerning Council Regulation (EC) No 116/2009 on the export of cultural goods in the UK. The Court accepted the Art Council’s interpretation of the meaning of “lawful and definitive dispatch from another Member State” in Article 2(2)(b) of that Regulation.
Ravi acted successfully for the Interested Party in judicial review proceedings concerning the hybrid abridged procedure for authorisation of medicinal products under article 10(3) of the Medicinal Code.
Ravi acted successfully for two entities in challenging their listing by the European Council on the EU’s sanctions list relating to the Syrian regime. The entities were entirely removed from the EU’s lists.
Ravi is a leading competition junior with extensive experience of advisory work, administrative proceedings and litigation in the UK and EU courts. He has particular experience of cartel damages actions, state aid and FRAND issues and has extensive experience of competition issues in the sport, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications context.
Ravi is featured as a 'leading junior' in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500, and he is recommended in the JUVE Patent rankings.
“Ravi is a safe pair of hands and knows his stuff.”
Legal 500, 2025
“A barrister possessing the iron first in the velvet glove, Ravi is unreservedly supportive and has a comprehensive knowledge of competition law, especially in the sporting context.”
Legal 500, 2023
“Succinct and to the point; Ravi grasps issues easily and provides extremely clear advice, which tends to bring him out on the winning side in cases.”
Legal 500, 2023
“His strengths are his work ethic and the practicality of his advice and strategising. I can't speak highly enough of him.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Great analytical skills, good with clients, produced excellent written advice and legal documents.”
Legal 500, 2022
“He is very user-friendly, a subject matter expert and really helpful.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Ravi is good on the detail and has a broad knowledge of a wide range of legal issues.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
Ravi appeared on behalf of Amazon, led by James Segan KC, in a dispute regarding RAND terms for a licence to standard essential and non-essential patents. A case summary may be found here.
Ravi acts for Lenovo in successfully resisting InterDigital’s applications to challenge the Court’s jurisdiction.
Ravi acted for Lenovo in successfully resisting InterDigital’s applications contesting the Court’s jurisdiction. The Court found that there is a reasonable prospect of success that Lenovo is entitled to a FRAND licence in respect of InterDigital’s entire portfolio of patents, finding that it may be discriminatory for InterDigital to offer a SEP-only licence to Lenovo if it offered licences covering its entire portfolio to other licensees.
Ravi acted for Lenovo in their application for declarations that the terms of a draft interim licence would be fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory ("FRAND") pending the final FRAND trial between the parties. The Court also considered (and dismissed) InterDigital's application for a case management stay in favour of patent infringement proceedings in the Regional Court of Munich.
Ravi is acting for the Defendants in only the fourth substantive FRAND dispute to go to trial before the English Courts. The dispute concerns InterDigital’s global Standard Essential Patent (“SEP”) portfolio.
Ravi acted for the Defendants in these international telecoms patent infringement and FRAND proceedings.
Ravi acted for Lenovo in a dispute concerning InterDigital’s global Standard Essential Patent (“SEP”) portfolio. The decision is one of only a handful in the world to reach a final determination in a FRAND dispute and reinforces the world-leading role of the English courts in this field. InterDigital’s appeal and Lenovo’s cross-appeal against this decision are due to be heard by the Court of Appeal in June 2024.
Ravi acted for the CAA in relation to an appeal under s. 25 of the Civil Aviation Act 2012, with Heathrow Airport Ltd alleging that the CAA had set the price cap too low, and the airlines alleging that the CAA had set the price cap too high. The CMA held that the CAA was not wrong in most of the decisions that were appealed.
Ravi acted for the PGA European Tour at both the initial hearing and appeal before an Appeal Panel appointed by Sport Resolutions. The case concerned the suspensions of the professional golfers Ian Poulter, Adrian Otaegui, Justin Harding and others from playing in the Scottish Open and two other DP World Tour co-sanctioned tournaments. Their suspensions were initially stayed pending the determination of the golfers’ appeals. The Sports Resolutions Appeal Panel dismissed the appeals, upholding the original fines.
Ravi is part of the counsel team which continues to represent the Competition & Markets Authority, which was the respondent in these appeals against its decision to fine GSK in relation to its agreements with certain generic companies concerning the terms on which the parties settled expected or ongoing patent litigation relating to paroxetine (supplied in the UK as Seroxat, an antidepressant medicine). The case required the CAT to consider the interpretation and application of the principles of market definition, restrictions by object and effect as well as one of the first instances of the ‘hot-tubbing’ of economic experts before the CAT. Following a lengthy trial, the CAT has referred questions to the CJEU on Articles 101 and 102 TFEU.
Ravi is instructed to advise FX claimants in relation to substantial claims, which it is anticipated will be brought in the course of the year.
Ravi was instructed (with Thomas de la Mare QC and Andrew Scott) on a substantial damages claim pending in the High Court arising from a cartel in the air cargo sector. The claim raises novel questions of jurisdiction and applicable law as well as the application of economic torts in cartel cases.
Ravi was instructed by a claimant industrial manufacturer in a damages claim in the Commercial Court (with Kieron Beal QC, Fraser Campbell and Tom Cleaver).
Advising the Competition Commission on the scope of its investigative powers (with James Eadie QC).
Ravi acted for OFCOM in successfully resisting this appeal before the Competition Appeal Tribunal concerning the remedies imposed in its Business Connectivity Market Review (March 2013).
Ravi acted successfully for OFCOM in this reference to the Competition Commission concerning the allocation of common costs to Traditional Interface (TI) circuit.
Ravi has a broad practice in public and administrative law, acting for claimants, public bodies, NGOs, and third parties across a number of sectors including immigration, telecommunications, regulated professions, and pharmaceuticals. Ravi regularly acts in cases for and against regulators in the fields of education, aviation, arts regulation, the regulation of legal services, telecommunications, accounting, financial services, sport and medical regulation.
He is a member of the Attorney General’s B Panel of Counsel. He is ranked as a ‘leading junior’ in Chambers and Partners 2019, in which he was described as '[r]espected for his representation of claimants and defendants in high-profile judicial reviews and regulatory matters. He is particularly noted for his expertise in EU, competition and commercial cases'.
“Ravi is super bright, commercial and easy to work with.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“Ravi is strategic and he has great judgement. He is dedicated with an incredible attention to detail.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“Ravi Mehta is super intelligent. He is really knowledgeable about the law and really strong on strategy.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“Ravi is strategic, dedicated and demonstrates great judgement.”
Legal 500, 2025
“He has fantastic technical knowledge and can assimilate very complicated contracts into something understandable.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Ravi is smart, assured and user friendly. He has the confidence to lead conferences with clients in difficult circumstances at short notice and is sensitive to their objectives.”
Legal 500, 2023
“He gets on top of extremely complicated material really rapidly and is a great pleasure to work with.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“He has the confidence to lead conferences with clients in difficult circumstances at short notice and is sensitive to their objectives.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Smart, assured and user friendly.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Ravi Mehta is smart, assured and user-friendly.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“His ability to quickly understand issues, decipher and then address them is outstanding.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He's extremely intellectual, very pleasant to work with and incredibly hard-working.”
Chambers and Partners, 2020
“He has an appetite for immersing himself in technical detail, and an impressive capacity for absorbing and synthesising immense volumes of dense material and then presenting it in a clear and compelling way.”
Chambers and Partners, 2020
“Bright, strategic and an excellent team player.”
Legal 500, 2019
“Intelligent, articulate and very user-friendly.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“A charming and personable advocate who is diligent and very tenacious.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“He cuts straight to the heart of matters and produces very clear written submissions.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“good at reading tribunals”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
Ravi acted for the AIRE Centre, as Intervener in an appeal concerning the payment of the care component of disability living allowance (as well as certain Withdrawal Act issues).
Ravi acted for the Electoral Commission in an appeal brought by Vote Leave, the designated lead campaigner for the "leave" outcome in the 2016 EU referendum, against the decision of the Electoral Commission to publish a report of its investigation into suspected breaches of electoral legislation.
Ravi acted successfully for the Claimant in the third EU law challenge to the UK’s ongoing failure to meet air quality standards in 45 local authority areas across England and in Wales, raising issues concerning effective domestic remedies for breaches of EU Directives.
In its judgment, the Court ordered a new remedy for the first time in judicial review proceedings: liberty to apply extending to the lawfulness of the supplemental Air Quality Plan for England, published in October 2018.
Ravi acted alongside others for the applicants in this case concerning the compatibility of the UK’s bulk surveillance regime with the European Convention on Human Rights (“ECHR”).
Ravi acted as junior counsel for Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar in this challenge to the legality of Part 3 of the Finance Act 2013 for alleged incompatibility with EU law (with Lord Pannick QC). The High Court referred fundamental questions of EU law to the CJEU, including a question relating to the constitutional status of Gibraltar in EU law which was determined by the Grand Chamber.
Advising a pharmaceutical company on a public law challenge to funding decisions within the NHS (with Thomas de la Mare QC).
Ravi advised the Public Law Project and thirteen other NGOs as to the legality of the proposed residence test for legal aid (led by Michael Fordham QC and Ben Jaffey). The advice was publicly disclosed and published in the Legal Aid Reforms special edition of Judicial Review (JR Vol 18, Issue 3, September 2013, pp.219-222).
Successfully challenging the expulsion of a student from a Sixth Form college for comments posted on social media, before an Independent Review Panel.
Successful claim for a writ of habeas corpus in respect of Yunus Rahmatullah, a detainee held by the US Government at Bagram in Afghanistan (assisting Ben Jaffey).
Successfully defending a challenge to the lawfulness of knife crime ‘stop and search’ powers (assisting Ben Jaffey).
Successfully defending an appeal to the Court of Appeal on the positive duties of investigation owed by public authorities under article 3 ECHR to prisoners assaulted in prison (assisting Kate Gallafent QC).
Ravi acted successfully for the Interested Party in judicial review proceedings concerning the hybrid abridged procedure for authorisation of medicinal products under article 10(3) of the Medicinal Code. The case raised novel questions of EU law concerning the reliance upon data previously submitted by a separate generic manufacturer.
Ravi acts for the claimants in a challenge to retrospective legislation passed to validate the Government’s ‘back to work’ schemes after these were held to be ultra vires by the Supreme Court in October 2013 ([2013] UKSC 68; [2013] 3 W.L.R. 1276) . The High Court granted a declaration of incompatibility on Article 6(1) ECHR grounds ([2014] EWHC 2182 (Admin); [2015] Q.B. 573). The Court of Appeal rejected an appeal by the Secretary of State on Article 6(1) and a cross-appeal by the Claimants on Article 1 of the First Protocol.
Ravi acted as junior counsel for Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar in this high profile case concerning a challenge to the compatibility of the Gambling Act 2005, as amended, with EU law. The case raised complex issues concerning the constitutional status of Gibraltar under EU law.
Ravi regularly acts and advises on cases raising common law, ECHR, EU and international law human rights issues. He also takes a keen interest in claimant human rights work. His experience in this area includes cases where there is a considerable overlap with EU and public international law.
Prior to pupillage, Ravi was an Associate Fellow of the Centre for Human Rights & Global Justice at New York University, School of Law from September to December 2010. He conducted research and helped draft two reports: Foreign Land Deals and Human Rights: Case Studies on Agricultural and Biofuel Investment and A Decade Lost: Locating Gender in U.S. Counter-Terrorism. He also contributed to the launch of the ‘Business and Human Rights Documentation’ Project. Since joining Blackstone, he has continued this research work, including assisting in the drafting of a report on “Legal barriers to women’s access to credit: Morocco and the Kyrgyz Republic case studies” for the Law & Development Partnership and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (with Naina Patel).
Ravi was also a Legal Panelist (contributor) to a book, edited by Shaheed Fatima KC, entitled ‘Protecting Children in Conflict (Hart Publishing, 2018)’ which examines the efficacy of current international humanitarian law, international criminal law and international human rights law protections for children in armed conflict.
Ravi is the author of several articles on public law and human rights, in particular in an international context. He has also been invited to present papers at a number of conferences including at the “Market Freedoms and Fundamental Rights in the Enlarging European Union” conference (Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, April 2010) and the “Emerging Human Rights Scholarship Conference” 2009 (NYU Centre for Human Rights & Global Justice).
“He is highly intelligent and able to get to the nub of complex issues.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“Ravi is super bright, commercial and easy to work with.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“A razor-sharp advocate who is super client-friendly.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“He has strong expertise on EU law and acts in ground-breaking matters concerning air pollution.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
Ravi acted for third party interveners, Save the Children, in this high-profile climate change case before the European Court of Human Rights.
Ravi acted for the Interested Party, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, in this case concerning a request by a fertility clinic and NHS Trust to contact an egg donor, many years after the donation, to seek her agreement to undergo genetic testing.
Ravi acted pro bono with REDRESS for Mr al-Hawsawi before the European Court of Human Rights in a case concerning the rendition and conditions of detention in Lithuania of a so-called “High-Value Detainee” in Guantánamo Bay.
Ravi acted for World Athletics in its intervention in this case before the Grand Chamber of the European Court, relating to the rights of so-called “DSD athletes” to compete in female-only athletics events.
Ravi acted for the Interested Party, the HFEA, in this case which considered the statutory requirement, under s.12(1)(c) and Schedule 3, paragraph 1(1) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. In a high-profile judgment, the Family Court granted a declaration that it would be lawful for the Applicant, Mr Jennings, to use an embryo created using his sperm and the eggs of his late wife, in treatment with a surrogate, notwithstanding the absence of her written, signed consent to that effect.
Ravi acted for the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment and the Chair-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in the first intervention by UN Special Rapporteurs before the Supreme Court or the House of Lords. This leading case concerned questions of the law of state immunity as well as the Foreign Act of State doctrine in the context of claims against senior British officials made by two Libyan victims of 'extraordinary rendition' . The Supreme Court held that the claimants’ allegations of kidnap and torture must be heard at trial in the English courts.
Ravi acted alongside others for the applicants in this case concerning the compatibility of the UK’s bulk surveillance regime with the European Convention on Human Rights (“ECHR”).
Ravi acted for the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Chair of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in the first ever intervention before the Supreme Court or House of Lords by a UN Mandate-Holder. The claim has been brought against HM Government, Jack Straw MP and MI6 senior official by Libyan family subject to ‘extraordinary rendition’ from the Far East to Gaddafi’s Libya. It raised significant issues concerning the Foreign Act of State doctrine and State Immunity, as well as the international responsibility of States for acts of their agents in collaboration with agents of other States.
Ravi is acting for a so-called “High-Value Detainee” in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba who is bringing a claim in the European Court of Human Rights against the Lithuanian State for complicity in the CIA’s extraordinary rendition program from approximately 2005-2006. The claim raises important issues concerning the right to life (prohibition of the death penalty), the prohibitions of torture and arbitrary detention, the right to a fair trial, the right to private family life and the right to an effective remedy.
Ravi acts for the claimants in a challenge to retrospective legislation passed to validate the Government’s ‘back to work’ schemes after these were held to be ultra vires by the Supreme Court in October 2013 ([2013] UKSC 68; [2013] 3 W.L.R. 1276) . The High Court granted a declaration of incompatibility on Article 6(1) ECHR grounds ([2014] EWHC 2182 (Admin); [2015] Q.B. 573). The Court of Appeal rejected an appeal by the Secretary of State on Article 6(1) and a cross-appeal by the Claimants on Article 1 of the First Protocol.
Ravi acts for three of the UK’s leading privacy groups (Big Brother Watch, Open Rights Group, and English PEN) and a prominent German internet campaigner (Constanze Kurz) in a high-profile application to the European Court of Human Rights challenging the UK’s legislation governing the surveillance of communications, following the disclosures by Edward Snowden. The case led to an exceptional oral hearing before the Court in Strasbourg in November 2017. The Judgment of the First Section on 13 September 2018 upheld the complaint on Article 8 ECHR grounds. An appeal to the Grand Chamber of the Court was heard on 10 July 2019 at another exceptional oral hearing. Judgment is awaited.
Ravi acted for the fourth to sixth interveners, in an appeal to the Supreme Court raising the question of the compatibility of Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which contains powers to stop, search and detain persons without “reasonable suspicion”, with the common law and European Convention Rights of liberty of the person and personal privacy .
Successful appeal (acting pro bono) for claimants in First-Tier and Upper Tribunal proceedings raising Chen, Zambrano and Article 8 ECHR issues.
Intervened on behalf of Dignity and Choice in Dying in this four-day appeal to a 9-judge panel of the Supreme Court. Concerned the question of the degree of guidance which the DPP must provide to the public regarding her policy on whether to consent to the institution of prosecutions for the crime of ‘assistance or encouragement’ of suicide.
Ravi acted for the claimants in claims concerning the lawfulness of extra-judicial detention by the UK armed forces in Afghanistan (led by Michael Fordham QC Shaheed Fatima, Hanif Mussa and Paul Luckhurst).
Ravi regularly acts for players, clubs, and sporting bodies before a variety of tribunals, as well as for individuals facing and regulators bringing disciplinary charges. Ravi has also been involved in a number of Rule K arbitration proceedings concerning the payment of agent’s commission. He has advised individuals, leagues, clubs, commercial intermediaries and governing bodies on a range of issues including anti-doping, disciplinary procedures, broadcasting and sponsorship, eligibility for national and international competitions and the organization of or access to rival competitions.
Ravi is a co-author of the chapter on Sport and free movement under EU law (with Thomas de la Mare QC) in the third edition of Lewis and Taylor’s Sport: Law and Practice and a regular contributor to the Blackstone Chambers' sports blog.
He was named Legal 500 Sport Junior of the Year 2024 and is ranked as a ‘leading junior’ in the Legal 500 directory.
“He is great - he is good with clients and has in-depth knowledge.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“He has a strong sports law practice; I think he is exceptional.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“Incredibly bright but wears the intelligence lightly with a very relaxed and relaxing manner. He is an absolute gent and very responsive - an instructing solicitor's dream.”
Legal 500, 2025
“He combines an excellent knowledge of the sports sector and the bases for challenging decisions, with an ability to provide practical and useful advice to clients, and a clear and compelling style of advocacy.”
Legal 500, 2023
“He has a good grasp of complicated anti-doping law and is succinct in his advice.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Can see issues that arise that even the client had not considered.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Shows a clear understanding of how the football industry works and the challenges facing the regulators”
Chambers and Partners, 2020
“His advocacy is high-quality, focused, accurate and convincing.”
Legal 500, 2019
“Outstanding – combines a pragmatic approach with an acute legal brain”
Legal 500, 2018
“Easy-going and accessible”
Legal 500, 2018
An investigation into PSR issues regarding a Premier League club.
A CAS dispute between a Premier League Club and a former Player.
Ravi acted for the PGA European Tour at both the initial hearing and appeal before an Appeal Panel appointed by Sport Resolutions. The case concerned the suspensions of the professional golfers Ian Poulter, Adrian Otaegui, Justin Harding and others from playing in the Scottish Open and two other DP World Tour co-sanctioned tournaments. Their suspensions were initially stayed pending the determination of the golfers’ appeals. The Sports Resolutions Appeal Panel dismissed the appeals, upholding the original fines.
Ravi has undertaken regulatory investigations in the sport sector.
Ravi acted for British 100m sprinter CJ Ujah concerning an Anti-Doping Rule Violation at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The AIU and Wada were satisfied that the Anti-Doping Rule Violation was not intentional but the result of Mr Ujah’s ingestion of a contaminated supplement.
Acting for an amateur rugby player in an anti-doping appeal.
Ravi acted alongside Nick De Marco QC for Fulham in its claim for compensation for the training and development of Harvey Elliot following his move to Liverpool. The PFCC awarded a record breaking amount of compensation to Fulham for a 16-year old player.
Ravi acted alongside Nick De Marco QC for the Professional Footballers Association (instructed by Mills & Reeve) in its arbitral challenge to the English Football League’s (EFL) League 1 and League 2 Player Salary Caps – the first salary caps to be introduced in European football.
Advising a Premier League Club on EU free movement rules and their impact on compensation for a player transfer.
Ravi successfully acted for the GFA in its efforts to secure admission as a member of FIFA before CAS (with Adam Lewis QC).
Ravi acted as junior counsel for the First Claimant, the well-known boxing promoter and manager in his dispute with the boxer, Ricky Burns, concerning unpaid management commission, quantum meruit, and breach of contract (with Ian Mill QC).
Advising an association of players on a potential challenge to a sporting body’s decision to alter its constitution and decision-making powers.
Assisting Kate Gallafent QC in her role as the sole arbitrator in Olympic Selection Appeals by athletes in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics.
Acting for the owner of racing stables in a claim for discrimination, redundancy and unfair dismissal by a former employee (November 2013).
Acting for a football agent in a FAPL Rule K arbitration against a Premiership footballer in a claim for non-payment of commission (with Nick de Marco).
Ravi acted as junior counsel for the former F1 Team Principal in a substantial high court claim for commission against the F1 team (with Nick de Marco).
Acting for a football agent in a FAPL Rule K arbitration against a Premiership footballer in a claim for non-payment of fees (with Jane Mulcahy QC).
Ravi acted successfully for the Claimant in this dispute over breach of a Media Rights agreement relating to the broadcasting of international and domestic cricket matches in New Zealand. Summary judgment was obtained on the substantial debt claim before the Commercial Court in London.
Ravi acted for the FA in one of the most high profile sporting disputes in the last year. In the so-called ‘poppy case’, FIFA initiated disciplinary proceedings against the English and Scottish FAs with regard to a number of alleged incidents at a World Cup 2018 qualifying match. The case involved significant press coverage, which ultimately led to FIFA and IFAB (the rule-setting body for football) amending the Rules of the Game to permit the Poppy to be displayed.
Ravi acted for an amateur rugby player charged with an anti-doping violation by the RFU, in an appeal before an RFU Appeal Board. The case gave rise to an important issue concerning the state of mind required to be found guilty of the ordinary anti-doping violation and also the test for No Significant Fault or Negligence.
Ravi regularly advises regulators, NGOs and private individuals in cases raising data protection issues, including the application of the GDPR, in particular in the context of surveillance powers of national and local authorities, the charitable sector and the transfer of data overseas. He has appeared in several of the leading cases concerning the interaction of FOIA with the judiciary and judicial information.
“Very hard working and intellectually strong. Ravi is a great drafter, good with clients and easy to work with.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Ravi is excellent and fantastic to work with. His approach is innovative and incredibly hard-working.”
Legal 500, 2023
“Very slick in front of clients and the wider legal team.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Very strong field expertise in data protections.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Brilliant legal brain.”
Legal 500, 2021
Ravi appeared on behalf of the Second and Third Respondents, the Ministry of Justice and the Judicial College, in a case concerning the application of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“FOIA”) to information held by the independent judiciary. The decision confirmed the constitutional status of the Judicial College following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 and the exclusion of information held by or on behalf of the judiciary from the FOIA regime.
Ravi acted for the Ministry of Justice and the Judicial Office in an appeal seeking disclosure of the index (‘site map’) to the content available on the judicial intranet under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). The Tribunal confirmed that the information requested was held on behalf of the judiciary and fell outside the Act.
Ravi acted for the Department for Health and Social Care in an appeal to the Upper Tribunal concerning section 35 of FOIA.
Ravi acted for the Department for Health and Social Care in an appeal arising out a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for the disclosure of the contents of the diary of the then Secretary of State for Health, the Rt. Hon Jeremy Hunt MP
Ravi acted for the Department of Health in an appeal arising out a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 by the second respondent, Mr Simon Lewis, a journalist, for the disclosure of the contents of the Ministerial diary of the Rt. Hon Andrew Lansley MP.
Ravi acts for three of the UK’s leading privacy groups (Big Brother Watch, Open Rights Group, and English PEN) and a prominent German internet campaigner (Constanze Kurz) in a high-profile application to the European Court of Human Rights challenging the UK’s legislation governing the surveillance of communications, following the disclosures by Edward Snowden. The case led to an exceptional oral hearing before the Court in Strasbourg in November 2017. The Judgment of the First Section on 13 September 2018 upheld the complaint on Article 8 ECHR grounds. An appeal to the Grand Chamber of the Court was heard on 10 July 2019 at another exceptional oral hearing. Judgment is awaited.
Ravi is acting for Open Rights Group and Privacy International as interveners in these high-profile proceedings concerning the compatibility of the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act 2014 with EU law and the ECHR. The Divisional Court ([2015] EWHC 2092 (Admin); [2016] 1 C.M.L.R. 13) declared that that s.1 of the Act is inconsistent with EU law and granted a suspended order disapplying the provision. On appeal, the Court of Appeal referred a number of questions to the CJEU on the consequences of the CJEU’s judgment on the Data Retention Directive in Joined Cases C-293/12 and 594/12 Digital Rights Ireland.
Ravi acted for Open Rights Group and Privacy International as interveners before the Hungarian Constitutional Court in Dojcsak v Telenor Magyarország Zrt, in a case concerning bulk data retention and a challenge following the CJEU’s decision in Digital Rights Ireland.
Advising a telecommunications operator as to data protection and retention legislation (assisting Kieron Beal QC).
Ravi is acting for the Department of Health in this appeal concerning the application of the Freedom of Information Act to the disclosure of ministerial diaries, following the Lewis case. The claim raises important questions about the type of evidence necessary in these appeals, and the appropriate balancing exercise of public interests at play, when this form of information is involved.
Ravi regularly advises regulators, individuals, NGOs and Government on issues of environmental law in the public, international trade and EU law context. He has also been involved in some of the highest profile environmental litigation in the UK courts, the ClientEarth proceedings. He has acted successfully for the claimant, a leading environmental NGO, in three high-profile EU law challenges to the UK’s failure to meet air quality standards in London and other major urban areas, raising issues about effective domestic remedies for breaches of EU Directives (with Nathalie Lieven QC and Ben Jaffey KC). The claims have led to significant judgments in relation to:
Ravi also regularly publishes articles and blogs on the intersection of EU law and environmental law, and has been invited to speak on environmental law issues, including at the 2017 annual conference of the UK Association of Environmental law (UKELA).
“Ravi is clever, charming and engaging. He has really good legal judgement.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“He is a very fluent and articulate speaker, good with clients and extremely bright.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“He's incredibly knowledgeable, helpful and very personable.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Second to none in respect on knowledge of environmental law and policy, he has an extremely good eye for detail and is a very strong strategic thinker.”
Legal 500, 2023
“He has the rare attributes of both being strong on detail and wider case strategy.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“He has very strong knowledge of air pollution policy and past litigation, as well as a strong eye for detail, and he is very good on broader strategy.”
Legal 500, 2022
“He is incredibly quick to understand the intricacies of technically complex cases.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Very bright, strategic and an excellent team player.”
Legal 500, 2019
Ravi is instructed by the Estate of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah in a ground-breaking civil claim which arose out of the illness and premature death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, and which included alleged breaches of Articles 2, 3 and 8 ECHR.
Advising in relation to marine conservation issues.
Ravi acted on behalf of the family in this landmark case, where H.M. Assistant Coroner for Inner South London concluded that Ella died at 9 years of age from acute respiratory failure, asthma and “air pollution exposure”.
Ravi acted successfully for the Claimant in the third EU law challenge to the UK’s ongoing failure to meet air quality standards in 45 local authority areas across England and in Wales, raising issues concerning effective domestic remedies for breaches of EU Directives.
In its judgment, the Court ordered a new remedy for the first time in judicial review proceedings: liberty to apply extending to the lawfulness of the supplemental Air Quality Plan for England, published in October 2018.
Ravi acted successfully in an EU law challenge to the UK’s failure to meet air quality standards in London and other major urban areas, raising issues concerning effective domestic remedies for breaches of EU Directives. The Court ordered a full reconsideration of the air quality plans for the entire country..
Ravi has developed a particular interest and expertise in the telecommunications sector, particularly in cases raising an EU and regulatory dimension. He regularly acts for regulators and regulated parties in this field.
Ravi has also appeared in several of the leading cases concerning patent litigation in the telecommunications sector for high-profile companies such as Lenovo, and Oppo. He has particular experience of cartel damages actions, state aid and FRAND issues.
Ravi appeared on behalf of Amazon, led by James Segan KC, in a dispute regarding RAND terms for a licence to standard essential and non-essential patents. A case summary may be found here.
Ravi acts for Lenovo in successfully resisting InterDigital’s applications to challenge the Court’s jurisdiction.
Ravi acted for Lenovo in successfully resisting InterDigital’s applications contesting the Court’s jurisdiction. The Court found that there is a reasonable prospect of success that Lenovo is entitled to a FRAND licence in respect of InterDigital’s entire portfolio of patents, finding that it may be discriminatory for InterDigital to offer a SEP-only licence to Lenovo if it offered licences covering its entire portfolio to other licensees.
Ravi acted for Lenovo in their application for declarations that the terms of a draft interim licence would be fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory ("FRAND") pending the final FRAND trial between the parties. The Court also considered (and dismissed) InterDigital's application for a case management stay in favour of patent infringement proceedings in the Regional Court of Munich.
Ravi is acting for the Defendants in only the fourth substantive FRAND dispute to go to trial before the English Courts. The dispute concerns InterDigital’s global Standard Essential Patent (“SEP”) portfolio.
Ravi acted for the Defendants in these international telecoms patent infringement and FRAND proceedings.
Ravi acted for Lenovo in a dispute concerning InterDigital’s global Standard Essential Patent (“SEP”) portfolio. The decision is one of only a handful in the world to reach a final determination in a FRAND dispute and reinforces the world-leading role of the English courts in this field. InterDigital’s appeal and Lenovo’s cross-appeal against this decision are due to be heard by the Court of Appeal in June 2024.
Ravi is acting for Open Rights Group and Privacy International as interveners in these high-profile proceedings concerning the compatibility of the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act 2014 with EU law and the ECHR. The Divisional Court ([2015] EWHC 2092 (Admin); [2016] 1 C.M.L.R. 13) declared that that s.1 of the Act is inconsistent with EU law and granted a suspended order disapplying the provision. On appeal, the Court of Appeal referred a number of questions to the CJEU on the consequences of the CJEU’s judgment on the Data Retention Directive in Joined Cases C-293/12 and 594/12 Digital Rights Ireland.
Advising PhonepayPlus on its update of the Code of Practice.
Ravi acted for OFCOM in successfully resisting this appeal before the Competition Appeal Tribunal concerning the remedies imposed in its Business Connectivity Market Review (March 2013).
Ravi acted successfully for OFCOM in this reference to the Competition Commission concerning the allocation of common costs to Traditional Interface (TI) circuit.
Advising a telecommunications operator as to data protection and retention legislation (assisting Kieron Beal QC).
Ravi regularly acts for pharmaceutical companies in disputes concerning licensing and data exclusivity, wholesale distribution, and competition law matters. He also advises on compliance with national and European regulatory regimes.
Ravi has:
Ravi represented Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Limited in this appeal raising important issues as to the jurisdiction of the court to determine the validity of foreign patents, relating to the Moçambique principle, derived from British South Africa Co v Companhia de Moçambique [1893] AC 602 and the foreign act of state doctrine.
Ravi is part of the counsel team which continues to represent the Competition & Markets Authority, which was the respondent in these appeals against its decision to fine GSK in relation to its agreements with certain generic companies concerning the terms on which the parties settled expected or ongoing patent litigation relating to paroxetine (supplied in the UK as Seroxat, an antidepressant medicine). The case required the CAT to consider the interpretation and application of the principles of market definition, restrictions by object and effect as well as one of the first instances of the ‘hot-tubbing’ of economic experts before the CAT. Following a lengthy trial, the CAT has referred questions to the CJEU on Articles 101 and 102 TFEU.
Ravi has acted for parties and advised clients on the sanctions regimes at EU and domestic level relating to Iran, and Syria. He has also advised third parties on the impact of sanctions regimes for investments and financial transactions.
Ravi acted successfully for two entities in challenging their listing by the European Council on the EU’s sanctions list relating to the Syrian regime. The entities were entirely removed from the EU’s lists.
LLB in English and French Law (London) First Class; Master 1 en Droit français (Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne) (Mention Bien (1st class)); LLM in International Legal Studies (NYU – Fulbright Scholar)
Ravi's recent publications include:
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