Specialist UK Telecoms, Data and Payments Regulation Lawyers
Clear, senior-level regulatory and commercial advice for telecoms, data protection and payments
Bratby Law is a specialist UK telecoms, data protection and payments regulation practice, led by Rob Bratby. With over 30 years’ experience spanning the UK telecoms regulator, senior in-house roles at network operators, and partnership at international law firms, Rob advises communications providers, fintechs, technology companies and investors on regulatory compliance, commercial transactions and enforcement matters. Clients instruct the firm through three models: Direct Legal Advice, Specialist Co-counsel and Fractional General Counsel.
Chambers & Partners Band 2 Telecoms (UK Guide 2026)
Legal 500 Leading Partner, Telecoms (London)
Lexology Global Elite Thought Leader, Data Protection
When clients instruct us
New product launch in a regulated sector
Regulatory compliance review, licensing requirements and go-to-market risk assessment for telecoms operators, fintechs and platforms launching new services. Product launch advice
Regulatory due diligence on an acquisition
Telecoms, data protection and payments risk assessment for investors and acquirers in regulated sectors. Due diligence
AI product launch or data compliance review
DPIA, controller/processor analysis and UK GDPR compliance for technology companies deploying AI-enabled products. AI and data advice
FCA or PSR authorisation application
Payment services and e-money authorisation, safeguarding requirements and PSR scheme compliance. Authorisation advice
Ongoing senior regulatory counsel
Fractional General Counsel for telecoms, fintech and data businesses that need board-level legal support without a full-time hire. Fractional GC
Your firm lacks sector expertise
Specialist co-counsel for law firms handling telecoms, data or payments matters that require regulatory depth. Co-counsel
An end-to-end regulatory perspective
Rob Bratby’s experience spans three perspectives that are seldom combined in a single advisor:
The Regulator’s Perspective
Work at Oftel, the predecessor to Ofcom, provides first-hand experience of how UK communications regulation is developed, interpreted and enforced. This includes leadership of the project to liberalise the UK’s international telecoms infrastructure market (subsea cables and satellite), and a detailed understanding of regulatory intent and enforcement dynamics.
The Operator’s Perspective
Fractional General Counsel appointments at regulated telecoms and payments businesses, and embedded general-counsel roles within industry-wide joint ventures, provide practical insight into how businesses are run, where risks arise, how compliance is operationalised and how commercial and regulatory decisions are made inside carriers, fintechs and infrastructure operators.
The Advisor’s Perspective
Senior partnership and management roles at international US and UK law firms in both London and Singapore provide a deep understanding of how high quality legal advice is delivered and translated into commercial and regulatory decisions at board level.
This combination enables advice that is legally rigorous, commercially aligned and technically grounded.
Telecoms, data protection and payments regulation lawyers
Bratby Law advises on telecoms regulation, data protection, payments regulation and transactions across the communications, financial services and technology sectors.
Why Choose Bratby Law?
Sector expertise
Bratby Law advises exclusively on telecoms regulation, data protection, and payments regulation. That concentration means deeper knowledge of the regulatory landscape, faster analysis, and advice that reflects how regulators actually behave: not how the textbook says they should.
Senior delivery
Every instruction is handled by Rob Bratby personally. With 30 years’ experience spanning Oftel, senior in-house roles at network operators, and partnership at international law firms, you receive the analysis directly: not through a junior team. The firm uses AI tools to extend research capacity and accelerate document review, so senior judgment is applied to more of your matter, not less.
Unique perspective
Rob Bratby has sat on all three sides of the regulatory table: as a regulator at Oftel, as General Counsel at major operators, and as external counsel. That inside-out perspective informs every piece of advice. He currently holds fractional General Counsel appointments at TOTSCo, UKPI, TelXL, and Core.
Independent directory rankings
Our specialist expertise is recognised in major independent legal directories:
- Chambers & Partners: Rob Bratby is ranked as a band 2 lawyer in the UK Guide 2026 in the “Telecommunications” category: Chambers
- The Legal 500: Rob Bratby is listed as a “Leading Partner – Telecoms” in London (TMT – IT & Telecoms): The Legal 500
- Lexology: Rob Bratby is featured on Lexology’s expert profiles as a Global Elite Thought Leader for data: Lexology
Ready to discuss your matter?
What clients say about Bratby Law:
Insights
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PSR/FCA Consolidation: What Changes for Payment Firms and Scheme Participants
The PSR FCA consolidation transfers all PSR functions to the FCA. What changes for payment service providers, scheme participants, and payment system operators.
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Data Protection Complaints: What Controllers Must Do by 19 June 2026
Section 103 of the DUAA introduces a statutory data protection complaints process for all controllers from 19 June 2026. For telecoms operators and payment firms, the obligation overlaps with existing Ofcom and FCA complaints regimes.
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Does Your Regulated Business Need a Fractional General Counsel?
Three models for legal support compared. When a fractional general counsel is the right answer for telecoms, fintech and data businesses in the regulatory perimeter.
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What Does the CMA Do? A Guide to the UK’s Competition Regulator
The CMA enforces UK competition law, controls mergers, investigates markets and regulates digital platforms. Guide to CMA powers, penalties and the new SMS regime.
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What Do the FCA and PSR Regulate? A Guide to UK Payments Regulation
The FCA and PSR regulate UK payment services, payment systems and electronic money. Guide to authorisation, enforcement powers and the PSR consolidation.
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What Does the ICO Regulate? A Guide to the UK’s Data Protection Regulator
The ICO regulates UK data protection, freedom of information, electronic marketing and network security. Guide to ICO powers, penalties and enforcement under the DUAA 2025.
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Regulator and legislation links
- Ofcom – UK Communications Regulator
- Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) – Data Protection and Privacy
- DSIT – UK Government: Digital, Telecoms and Data Policy
- Communications Act 2003
- Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006
- Data Protection Act 2018
- UK GDPR
- EU GDPR
- EU AI Act
- PECR
- Online Safety Act 2023
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- Payment Systems Regulator (PSR)
- Payment Services Regulations 2017
- Electronic Money Regulations 2011
- Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013