Specialist UK telecoms, data and payments regulation lawyers

Bratby Law is a boutique practice focusing on the regulation of UK telecoms, data protection, and payments. We advise regulated operators, technology companies, financial services firms, private equity investors and law firms needing specialist co-counsel. Our work spans regulatory strategy, compliance, enforcement defence and commercial transactions. We combine deep sector knowledge with pragmatic commercial judgment to help clients navigate complex regulatory environments and achieve their business objectives.

What we advise on

Our four practice areas reflect the breadth of modern regulatory risk across telecommunications, data, and payments infrastructure.

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.

How we work

Bratby Law works with clients in three ways: as direct legal advisors on specific matters, as specialist co-counsel supporting other legal teams, and as fractional general counsel on a longer-term retained basis. Each model delivers partner-level input without delegation.

Led by Rob Bratby

Rob Bratby is Managing Partner of Bratby Law. He brings more than 30 years of experience in telecommunications, data protection and payments regulation across law firms, in-house roles, and regulatory organisations.

Rob qualified into Baker McKenzie’s IP and IT practice in 1996 and was seconded to Oftel, the UK telecoms regulator, where he worked as a policy advisor. After returning to practice, he held senior legal and commercial roles at COLT Technology Services, a telecommunications infrastructure operator, before moving to WilmerHale and then Mayer Brown, where he became head of the London telecoms practice. He was partner and head of the Media, Communications and Technology group at Olswang (now CMS), and subsequently relocated to Singapore as Olswang managing partner for Asia. He held partnership positions at Arnold and Porter Kaye Scholer before establishing Bratby Law in 2020.

Rob holds fractional general counsel appointments at the UK Payments Initiative, TOTSCo, TelXL and Core Communication. He is recognised as a Band 2 telecommunications lawyer in Chambers UK and as a Leading Partner for telecoms in the Legal 500. He is a qualified lawyer and a chartered director, and holds an MBA from Henley Business School and a diploma in intellectual property law from Bristol University.

For more detail, see Rob’s full profile.

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

Frequently asked questions

What types of clients does Bratby Law act for?

We act for regulated operators (telecoms, payment systems, data-intensive businesses), technology companies, fintechs, private equity investors, law firms needing specialist co-counsel, and in-house legal teams seeking fractional general counsel support. Our clients range from FTSE-listed companies to start-ups navigating their first regulatory engagement.

What geographic coverage does Bratby Law provide?

We advise on English law and UK regulation. We work with UK-based and international clients. Rob has worked across Europe and Asia, and we bring that international perspective to cross-border regulatory and transaction issues. For matters requiring expertise in other jurisdictions, we work with trusted legal partners.

Is Bratby Law regulated?

Yes. Bratby Law is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) under registration number 801942. You can verify our registration on the SRA register. For full details of our regulatory obligations and professional standards, see our professional regulatory information.

What are Bratby Law’s fees?

We work on hourly, fixed-fee and retainer bases depending on the nature of the work and your preferred approach. We are transparent about fees and do not apply hidden charges. We will discuss fee options with you at the outset and confirm terms in a written engagement letter before starting work.

Where is Bratby Law based?

Bratby Law is based in Greater London. We work with clients both remotely and on-site. We are happy to meet clients at their premises or at law firm offices across London and the wider South East.