About bratby.law | Specialist UK Telecoms, Data and Payments Regulation Lawyers

About Bratby Law

Specialist UK Telecoms, Data and Payments Regulation Lawyers

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About Bratby Law

Bratby Law is a specialist English law firm advising on UK and international telecoms regulation, data protection, payments regulation and complex technology and digital-infrastructure transactions. The firm provides senior, technically informed legal advice that helps operators, platforms, technology companies, investors and law firms to navigate regulatory complexity and to execute commercially significant decisions with confidence.

We operate deliberately as a boutique. All matters are handled directly by a senior specialist with more than thirty years’ experience in the sector, ensuring the clarity, precision and depth required for high-value regulatory and commercial work.

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

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 Advisor’s Perspective

Senior partnership roles at international law firms and current fractional General Counsel appointment at TOTSCo and UK Payments Initiative Limited provide a working understanding of how legal advice translates into commercial and regulatory decisions at board level.


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

Core credentials

Rob Bratby’s experience spans regulation, operations, private practice and current market appointments:

Rob Bratby worked at Oftel, the predecessor to Ofcom, gaining direct experience of how UK communications regulation is developed, interpreted and enforced. That background informs how the firm reads regulatory intent and anticipates enforcement direction.

Senior in-house and general counsel roles at COLT and within operator-side businesses provide a working understanding of how networks are built, how compliance is operationalised, and how regulatory and commercial decisions are made inside carriers and infrastructure operators.

Partnership roles at international law firms included leading advice on major transactions, regulatory matters and infrastructure projects across Europe and Asia. That experience informs the firm’s approach to cross-border and multi-jurisdictional mandates.

Rob Bratby holds a General Counsel appointment at UK Payments Initiative Limited, providing direct engagement with the PSR, FCA and scheme governance frameworks. That appointment grounds the firm’s payments regulation practice in current, operational regulatory experience.

Recognised as a leading practitioner in data protection and privacy law, with experience advising on UK GDPR compliance, data protection impact assessments, controller and processor frameworks, and data protection considerations for AI-enabled products and services.

A science degree before law, subsequent intellectual property qualifications, an MBA and completion of the INSEAD International Directors Programme give the firm an unusually broad technical and governance foundation for a specialist regulatory practice.

Why a specialist boutique?


bratby.law is structured to provide a clear alternative to broad practices and City or international law firms:

Boutique approach

City firm

Specialist, sector-specific focus

Broad TMT or FS 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.

Why Choose bratby.law?

Over 30 years advising at the intersection of regulation, technology and commercial strategy, including experience at the UK telecoms regulator, in-house and in private practice in London and Singapore.

Clear advice grounded in the commercial context, helping clients make informed, defensible decisions.

City-quality advice without City overhead, with transparent pricing and predictable engagement models.

We work effectively with internal legal teams, boards, consultants and other advisers, whether leading a matter or fitting into a wider team.

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.

Telecoms

We advise communications providers, operators, infrastructure investors and platforms on UK telecoms regulation. Our work covers authorisation, General Conditions, numbering, switching, security and resilience, spectrum, access and interconnection, and Ofcom enforcement and disputes.

Data Protection

We advise organisations on UK GDPR compliance, data protection impact assessments, controller and processor arrangements, international transfers and ICO engagement. We also advise on data protection for AI-enabled products and services.

Payments

We advise payment service providers, fintechs and scheme participants on PSRs 2017 compliance, FCA and PSR authorisation, open banking, cVRPs and scheme governance. Our payments regulation practice is anchored by a fractional General Counsel appointment at UK Payments Initiative Limited.

Transactions

We draft and negotiate commercial and corporate agreements across the telecoms, data and payments sectors. Our work spans network-sharing, MVNO and wholesale agreements, digital infrastructure projects, SaaS and platform contracting, data commercialisation, and joint ventures and M&A.

Regulation

We advise on regulation across the telecoms, data and payments sectors. Our work covers telecoms regulation, data protection and data governance, payments regulation, consumer protection, market entry, ongoing compliance, regulator engagement, investigations and enforcement.

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
Chambers and Partners accreditation
Legal 500 accreditation

What clients say about Bratby Law:

  • “…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

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Frequently asked questions about Bratby Law

What is Bratby Law?

Bratby Law is a specialist English law firm focused exclusively on telecoms regulation, data protection, payments regulation, and technology and digital-infrastructure transactions. All work is delivered by a senior solicitor with more than thirty years’ experience across the regulator, operator and international private practice, providing advice that is technically grounded, commercially aligned and shaped by deep sector knowledge.  

Who leads Bratby Law?

The firm is led by Rob Bratby, an English solicitor with more than three decades’ experience spanning Oftel (Ofcom’s predecessor), senior in-house roles within operators, and leadership roles in international law firms in London and Singapore. He is recognised in Chambers, Legal 500 and Lexology as a leading expert in telecoms, data and privacy.  He serves as fractional general counsel to industry established JV in the UK’s telecoms (TOTSCo) and payment industries (UK Payments Initiative).

What makes Bratby Law different?

Bratby Law is differentiated by five factors:
Senior-only delivery: All matters are handled exclusively at partner level, ensuring clarity, precision and pace across regulatory, commercial and transactional work. 
End-to-end sector insight: Experience at Oftel, senior in-house roles at COLT and operator-side GC positions, and international private practice appointments allow us to understand regulation from the perspectives of policymaker, operator and adviser. 
Specialist regulatory depth: We focus exclusively on telecoms regulation, data protection and payments regulation. Expertise is not diluted across wide TMT portfolios. 
Commercial and operational alignment: Operator-side experience means advice is grounded in product cycles, operational realities, risk management and board-level priorities. 
Boutique flexibility: Engagement models are clear and adaptable,direct matters, co-counsel support, and fractional GC,avoiding the complexity and cost structures of large City firms. 

What services does Bratby Law provide?

We advise on regulation and transactions across telecoms, data and payments. Our work covers telecoms regulation, data protection, AI and data governance, payments regulation, and commercial and corporate transactions including network sharing, MVNO and wholesale, digital infrastructure, cloud and SaaS, data commercialisation, joint ventures, and acquisitions and disposals.

Who does Bratby Law work with?

We advise telecoms operators, digital-infrastructure providers, payments and fintech organisations, platforms, cloud and software businesses, data-driven organisations, investors and international law firms requiring specialist UK regulatory expertise. Our clients operate in sectors where regulatory frameworks directly influence commercial models and technical decision-making.

Can Bratby Law handle large or technically complex matters?

Yes. We regularly advise on complex regulatory issues, market-shaping projects, operator-side compliance programmes and high-value technology and infrastructure transactions. Experience across regulators, industry and international private practice means the firm delivers City-level capability through a senior-only model, supported where necessary by specialist advisers.

How does Bratby Law structure fees?

We offer clear and predictable fee models, including fixed fees for defined regulatory or contractual deliverables, hourly rates for bespoke advisory work, and monthly retainers for fractional general-counsel support. All work is delivered at partner level, ensuring value through senior expertise and efficient execution.

What regulatory frameworks does Bratby Law work with?

Our work spans the Communications Act 2003, the UK telecoms authorisation regime, General Conditions, the Telecommunications Security Act, UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Payment Services Regulations 2017, the FCA/PSR regulatory framework, DORA and the Online Safety framework. We interpret these frameworks pragmatically and apply them to real-world operational and commercial environments.

How does Bratby Law work with clients?

Clients engage us through:
Direct Legal Advice for matter-specific regulatory or transactional issues requiring senior input.
Specialist Co-counsel support for law firms and consultancies needing deep sector knowledge.
Fractional General Counsel arrangements providing ongoing senior legal leadership across regulatory, commercial, data and payments matters. These models prioritise flexibility, predictability and partner-level delivery.  

This page about Bratby Law sets out what makes us different.