Direct legal advice for telecoms, data and payments matters

Who this is for

Not sure which engagement model fits your regulatory challenge? Bratby Law works with businesses, operators, in-house teams and law firms across three models – direct legal advice, specialist co-counsel and fractional general counsel – each designed around how you need to engage, not how we prefer to bill.

What the direct legal advice model provides

Partner-level advisory support on telecoms regulation, data protection, payments and complex technology or infrastructure transactions. Engagement is project-specific with no ongoing commitment.

How we support you

• Interpretation and application of Ofcom, ICO, FCA and broader regulatory frameworks
• Advice on compliance, licensing, security, governance and risk
• Support on drafting, negotiation and execution of technology and telecoms agreements
• Strategic regulatory insight on how regulation impacts business models, product development and infrastructure projects

Specialist co-counsel for telecoms, data and payments matters

Who this is for

We support law firms and consultancies with deep subject-matter expertise in telecoms, data protection and payments regulation, strengthening their transactional, advisory and contentious capabilities without competition risk or internal conflict.

What this model provides

Specialist regulatory and transactional support delivered either as white-label input or clearly attributed expertise. This model gives firms access to niche telecoms, data protection and payments regulation capability without competition risk or internal conflict.

How we support you

• Regulatory input for major transactions and due-diligence exercises
• Expert review of sector-specific contractual frameworks
• Advisory and contentious support, including Ofcom, ICO and FCA-related matters
• Independent second-opinion reviews and strategic guidance

Fractional general counsel for telecoms, technology, data and payments businesses

Who this is for

We provide embedded general counsel support for telecoms, technology and data-driven businesses requiring ongoing senior legal leadership. The model offers predictable access to strategic advice across governance, compliance, commercial contracting and regulatory risk.

What this model provides

A predictable monthly retainer providing board-level input on regulatory, commercial, technology and operational matters. This model integrates senior legal oversight into business planning, governance and product decision-making.

How we support you

• Strategic legal leadership across telecoms, data and payments issues
• Governance, compliance and risk frameworks
• Product advisory, commercial contracting and regulatory readiness
• Coordination of external counsel and prioritisation of legal work
• Board-level reporting and engagement

Which engagement model is right for you?

The right model depends on the nature of your legal need, how you want to engage, and whether you need project support or ongoing senior legal input. The table below sets out the key differences.

	Direct Legal Advice	Specialist Co-counsel	Fractional General Counsel
Best for	A defined regulatory or transaction problem with a clear scope	A firm or consultancy needing specialist input on a client matter	A business needing ongoing senior legal leadership without a full-time GC
Typical client	Operator, fintech, PE investor, technology business	Law firm, consultancy, international practice	Scale-up, regulated business, telco, PE-backed company
Engagement basis	Project or matter, fixed scope	White-label or attributed, matter by matter	Monthly retainer, rolling
Commitment	None beyond the matter	None beyond the matter	Ongoing, typically 6–12 months minimum
Senior involvement	Partner-led throughout	Partner-led throughout	Board-level integration

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