Why bratby law

Why Bratby Law?

Specialist UK Telecoms AI and Data Regulation Lawyers

Bratby Law provides specialist telecoms regulation, AI and data advice. We deliver technology and telecoms transactions. We are led by a senior lawyer with thirty years’ sector experience. Our advice is clear, commercially grounded and actionable, enabling boards, investors and product teams to move quickly and manage regulatory complexity with confidence.

We provide direct legal advice, work with law firms and consultancies as specialist co-counsel and provide fractional general counsel services.

We combine deep regulatory expertise with extensive experience in private practice and in-house roles. This ensures our advice is pragmatic, shaped by real-world operational understanding and aligned to organisational goals.

Our approach

Our work is built around three principles: senior input, clarity and pace.

Direct senior access

You work directly with a senior UK telecoms, AI and data regulation lawyer. There is no delegation to junior resource and no re-teaching of context. This gives you informed advice from the outset, without the inefficiencies common in larger firms.

Clear, practical guidance

Our advice is designed to support decision-making. We prioritise clarity, commercial relevance and practical steps rather than theoretical analysis.



Flexible engagement models

We offer a range of engagement options including direct legal advice, specialist co-counsel support and fractional general counsel arrangements. This provides flexibility whether you need one-off advice, ongoing specialist support or help on a major transaction or regulatory project.

End-to-end perspective


Our approach is shaped by a rare combination of regulatory, operator and private-practice experience:

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

Senior in-house roles at COLT and embedded general-counsel roles within operator-side businesses provide practical insight into how networks are built, where risks arise, how compliance is operationalised and how commercial and regulatory decisions are made inside carriers and infrastructure operators.

The Adviser’s Perspective

As a former partner and practice leader at international law firms in London and Singapore, Rob Bratby has advised operators, platforms, investors and global technology companies on major regulatory matters, market-shaping projects, cross-border transactions and multi-jurisdictional compliance programmes.

This combination enables advice that is legally rigorous, commercially aligned and technically grounded.

Core credentials

Our depth of experience is underpinned by:

Direct experience inside the UK communications regulator’s predecessor gives unique insight into the development and enforcement of regulatory frameworks.

Board-level and general-counsel roles provide understanding of operational risk, product development, network deployment, stakeholder management and regulatory implementation.

Leadership roles at international firms advising on major transactions, regulatory matters and infrastructure projects in Europe and Asia.

AI models run on data, and data runs on infrastructure.
Our deep knowledge of the physical, commercial and regulatory layers of telecoms networks provides a distinctive foundation for advising on AI regulation, governance, data protection, sovereignty and infrastructure risk. This perspective complements and often exceeds the approach taken by generalist “technology lawyers”.

Repeatedly recognised as a global expert and thought leader in data and privacy, supporting strong credibility in AI regulation and governance.

Scientific degree before law, with subsequent post-graduate intellectual property law qualifications. MBA and INSEAD international directors’ programme give unique skill-set.

Why a specialist boutique?


Bratby Law is structured to provide a clear alternative to broad TMT practices and larger City firms:

Boutique approach

TMT or City firm

Specialist, sector-specific focus

Broad TMT coverage with variable depth

Senior delivery on all matters

Work delegated to teams of varying experience

Integrated regulatory, operator and advisory experience

Limited practical or regulatory grounding

Predictable, flexible engagement models

Rigid, process-driven structures


As a boutique, Bratby Law provides specialist regulatory depth, partner-level delivery and commercially aligned advice shaped by practical operator-side experience. Engagement models are flexible and predictable, including direct instruction, specialist co-counsel and fractional general-counsel support.

How we work

Clients work with Bratby Law in three ways: direct matter-specific advice, specialist co-counsel support, and longer-term fractional general counsel engagements. Each model is structured to deliver senior, technically informed guidance aligned to commercial, operational and regulatory priorities.

Direct Legal Advice

Specialist advice on complex regulatory, commercial and compliance matters.

Specialist Co-counsel

Support for law firms and consultants requiring deep sector knowledge.

Fractional General Counsel

Part-time senior legal support for ongoing, strategic and operational needs.

Our specialist UK legal practice areas

We advise organisations at the intersection of telecoms, AI and data and contracts. Our work helps businesses anticipate legal risk, meet evolving regulatory obligations and structure transactions that deliver strategic value.

Telecoms Regulation

We help communications providers understand and comply with UK telecoms regulation. Our advice covers market entry, licensing, General Conditions, numbering, switching, security and resilience under the Telecommunications Security Act, spectrum matters, access and interconnection, and engagement with Ofcom across investigations, enforcement and disputes.

AI Regulation and Data Governance

We advise on AI regulation, data protection and data governance. Our work includes compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, AI oversight and risk management, accountability frameworks, data contracts, cross-border transfers and sector-specific guidance. We support organisations deploying AI systems and handling data in complex operational and regulatory environments.

Technology and Telecoms Transactions

We draft and negotiate technology, telecoms and data-related contracts for operators, vendors and investors. Our experience spans network-sharing, MVNO and wholesale arrangements, infrastructure and subsea cable projects, platform and cloud contracting, SaaS and licensing, and complex commercial and corporate transactions.

Independent directory rankings

Our specialist expertise is recognised in major independent legal directories:

  • Chambers & Partners: Rob Bratby is ranked 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 (Global Elite Thought Leader): Lexology
1 | bratby law | telecoms | ai | data
Why bratby law? Specialist uk telecoms, ai and data regulation lawyers 5 | bratby law | telecoms | ai | data
2 | bratby law | telecoms | ai | data
Why bratby law? Specialist uk telecoms, ai and data regulation lawyers 6 | bratby law | telecoms | ai | data

What clients say

Clients highlight our combination of specialist sector knowledge, commercial approach and ability to secure practical outcomes in complex situations:

  • “…one of those rare lawyers who really does understand the business imperatives behind the legal situations businesses find themselves in.”

    “I worked with Rob over many years whilst I was at Orange. He is one of those rare lawyers who really does understand the business imperatives behind the legal situations businesses find themselves in. Most notably he provided first class support to me and my team on a high profile / high value joint venture network sharing deal. His ability to see both the detail and the bigger strategic picture were enormously helpful.”
    Amanda Doyle
    (Former) General Counsel, Orange UK

  • “I would highly recommend Rob and his team.”

    “I have had the pleasure of working with Rob now on a number of occasions and engagements with clients. Rob is one of the most knowledgeable people I have come across in the Telecommunications industry, both in his comprehensive understanding of the law for various countries and in the application of this law and what it means for Operators. This is complemented by his generosity with sharing his knowledge, and the friendly style with which he works. I would highly recommend Rob and his team.”
    Nick White
    (Former) Deloitte

  • “I would recommend Rob for any major Telecoms project”

    “I worked with Rob to introduce One Touch Switching for broadband and fixed voice, which launched successfully with almost two million customers using the service to date. Rob is a first class Legal Counsel with exceptional legal and regulatory knowledge enabling him to give insightful strategic guidance to the ExCo and the Board. He is highly trusted by Directors and easy to work with. I would recommend Rob for any major Telecoms project.”
    Toby Lovell
    (Former) Chief of Staff, The One Touch Switching Company

Representative experience

Recent mandates include:

  • industry-wide regulatory change programmes and Ofcom engagement
  • advising on the regulatory status of new connectivity and platform services
  • supporting investors on acquisitions and disposals of telecoms and digital infrastructure assets
  • structuring and documenting subsea cable arrangements
  • resolving sensitive regulatory issues with Ofcom and other authorities
  • developing AI and data governance frameworks
  • acting as specialist co-counsel on cross-border transactions
  • providing fractional GC support to a CCaaS provider

Speak to Bratby Law

If you would like to discuss a regulatory issue, transaction, or AI and data governance matter, we can usually arrange an initial discussion at short notice.

Contact us

Frequently asked questions

Why should I choose Bratby Law?

You receive direct access to a senior UK telecoms, AI and data regulation lawyer with experience inside regulators, in-house and private practice. Advice is clear, commercially grounded and focused on practical outcomes.

What makes Bratby Law different from larger firms?

We operate a senior-only model without delegation to junior teams. Clients receive responsive, specialist advice informed by deep regulatory and transactional experience, delivered efficiently and without unnecessary overhead.

Does Bratby Law advise internationally?

Yes. We regularly support UK, European, US and Southeast Asian clients on cross-border telecoms, digital and AI matters, coordinating multi-jurisdictional regulatory assessments and ensuring alignment across regimes.

What kind of clients does Bratby Law work with?

We advise operators, infrastructure providers, platforms, technology companies, investors and professional advisers. Clients engage us when issues are complex, time-critical or strategically significant.

What areas of law does Bratby Law specialise in?

We focus exclusively on telecoms regulation, digital infrastructure projects, AI governance, data protection and technology-driven commercial and transactional work. This depth and focus enables rapid issue-spotting and precise, informed advice.

Can Bratby Law support time-critical regulatory or commercial issues?

Yes. We frequently advise on urgent matters including Ofcom investigations, product launches, commercial negotiations and regulatory approvals. Our lean structure enables rapid engagement and clear, actionable guidance.

Do you work with in-house legal teams?

Yes. We act as a specialist extension of the internal legal function, providing regulatory insight, bandwidth during work peaks, and support on strategic projects or complex transactions.

Does Bratby Law offer fixed-fee or predictable pricing models?

We provide fixed-fee, project-based and fractional general counsel arrangements. Pricing is designed to ensure predictability and value while maintaining senior-level involvement throughout.

Can you act as specialist co-counsel on transactions?

Yes. We regularly partner with major law firms to provide deep sector expertise on high-value M&A, infrastructure projects and regulated technology transactions.

What is your experience with AI governance and data regulation?

We advise on AI governance frameworks, model and system risk management, UK GDPR and EU GDPR compliance, cross-border transfers, platform regulation and emerging digital regulatory regimes. Our guidance is practical, defensible and aligned with global expectations.

How quickly can you begin working with a new client?

We can typically begin advising very quickly, particularly on regulatory, commercial or product matters. For fractional GC or multi-phase projects, we agree a tailored onboarding schedule that fits client priorities and internal workflows.

See more

Why bratby law

Why Bratby Law?

Senior-only legal advice for organisations where telecoms regulation, digital infrastructure, AI and data governance drive strategy, value and regulatory risk