Six disciplines. One standard of work.

A long-established practice advising operators, infrastructure providers, and technology businesses across regulatory and commercial matters.

We have featured in the telecommunications section of the Chambers and Partners Guide since its inception. Our work spans the full life of a communications business, from establishment and regulatory authorisation through to commercial contracting, infrastructure arrangements, and contentious matters with counterparties and regulators alike.

• Regulatory authorisation and compliance
• Operator and supplier agreements
• Infrastructure and access arrangements
• Disputes with counterparties and regulators

Specialist counsel on the construction, installation, and operation of communications systems under the Electronic Communications Code.

We are known for our work on the construction of communications systems and the operation of the Electronic Communications Code. We advise operators, site providers, and landowners on the acquisition and renewal of code rights, on the practicalities of installation, and on the contentious matters that arise where commercial and statutory interests intersect.

• Acquisition and renewal of code rights
• Site access, installation, and apparatus
• Termination and removal proceedings
• Tribunal and court proceedings under the Code

A specialism advising emerging and innovative entrants to the communications sector on the regulatory questions that shape their business.

We act for communications start-ups and smaller operators on the regulatory questions that determine how, and on what terms, they can enter and compete in the market. In recent years this has included acting on significant proceedings against government bodies and incumbent operators on behalf of more innovative players in the sector.

• Market entry and licensing strategy
• Spectrum, interconnection, and access regulation
• Disputes with incumbents and public bodies
• General counsel support for growing operators

Representation in commercial disputes, including significant proceedings against government bodies and major operators.

Our commercial litigation practice extends well beyond the communications sector. We act in contractual, shareholder, and regulatory disputes, and have particular experience of large-scale proceedings involving government bodies, public authorities, and incumbent commercial actors.

• Contractual and shareholder disputes
• Proceedings against government and public bodies
• Regulatory and competition-related disputes
• Injunctive relief and emergency applications

Contentious real estate work, including matters arising from site access, occupation, and communications infrastructure.

We conduct property litigation across both commercial and communications-related matters. Our sector work frequently intersects with questions of occupation, access, and apparatus, and we bring that practical experience to wider commercial property disputes for landowners, occupiers, and operators.

• Landlord and tenant disputes
• Possession, access, and trespass
• Easements and rights of way
• Code-related property disputes

A niche practice acting for issuers and investors in alternative investment structures, with security trustee services where required.

We have developed a niche capability in the alternative investments space, advising issuers on the establishment of investment structures and investors on participation, security, and enforcement. Edward Mercer also provides security trustee services where the structure calls for an independent trustee to hold and administer security on behalf of investors.

• Issuer-side establishment and documentation
• Investor-side review and protection
• Security packages and intercreditor arrangements
• Security trustee services