Project counsel

Project Counsel

Senior legal support for defined projects

Complex projects often demand specialist legal support, but only for the duration of the initiative. Bratby Law provides project counsel: focused, senior-level legal support delivered for the lifespan of a defined project, from scoping through to completion and handover.

You gain a highly experienced English lawyer who integrates with your team for the project phase, providing sector-specific guidance across telecoms, technology, AI and data governance.

Project Profile

A project engagement is a time-bound, output-specific assignment where:

• the project has a defined scope, deliverables and timeline
• the business needs specialist legal support but not a permanent role
• the work requires deep telecoms, technology, data or regulatory expertise
• continuity, accuracy and senior judgment are essential to delivery

Project counsel provides the legal certainty necessary to progress complex activity efficiently and confidently.

Who this is for

Businesses delivering complex or high-value projects

Organisations needing focused legal support to deliver a discrete initiative without diverting internal legal or commercial teams.

General Counsel and legal leaders

In-house teams requiring additional specialist or senior capacity during peak demand or specialist phases.

Technology, telecoms and digital businesses

Companies undertaking technical, regulatory or commercial programmes that need an experienced English-law adviser embedded for the duration of the project.

What we provide

Project counsel can cover the full life cycle of a defined initiative. We provide:

  • scoping and structuring advice to ensure legal, regulatory and commercial clarity
  • drafting and negotiation of project documentation, contracts and governance materials
  • sector-specific regulatory analysis across telecoms, AI and data
  • risk identification and mitigation planning
  • oversight of external advisers and specialist workstreams
  • coordination with internal teams and stakeholders to maintain project momentum
  • final-phase delivery, testing, regulatory submissions or approvals
  • structured handover and documentation at project close

Engagements can last from several weeks to several months, depending on the pace and complexity of delivery.

How project counsel works

Scoping

We agree project boundaries, deliverables, timelines, stakeholders and priority risks.

Integration

We integrate with your project team, working directly with legal, commercial, technical, operational and regulatory colleagues.

Execution

We provide day-to-day legal advice, drafting, negotiation, regulatory oversight and governance support, ensuring risks are understood and managed.

Cross-border and sector support

For multi-jurisdictional projects or telecoms, AI and data initiatives, we provide English-law support, coordinate overseas advisers and maintain consistency of view.

Handover

At completion, we provide a formal close-out package including documentation, knowledge transfer and next-step recommendations.

Benefits to clients

  • Focus – legal support aligned precisely with your project’s requirements
  • Continuity – a single senior adviser throughout the project lifecycle
  • Efficiency – targeted, time-limited support without hiring or long-term overhead
  • Expertise – deep telecoms, AI, data and technology experience applied directly to project needs
  • Control – clear visibility of timelines, risks and deliverables

Typical projects

  • telecoms network deployment, infrastructure-sharing or service-launch projects
  • development, procurement or integration of platforms, systems or services
  • AI-governance, data-protection or data-sharing implementation programmes
  • contract rationalisation, system migration or vendor consolidation projects
  • regulatory change programmes across telecoms, digital markets or AI regulation
  • transactions where a project-style workstream is required (post-signing or pre-completion support)

Related practice areas

Related insights

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
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Project counsel 6 | bratby law | telecoms | ai | data

What clients say

  • “…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

Need senior legal support for a defined project?

To discuss project counsel for your organisation, please contact the firm to arrange a confidential conversation.

Book a call

Frequently asked questions

What is project counsel?

Project counsel is senior legal support provided for the duration of a defined project. It offers focused expertise without the cost or permanence of hiring an internal lawyer.

How is project counsel different from interim counsel?

Interim counsel covers roles or capacity gaps, usually across the full legal function. Project counsel supports a specific initiative, with defined deliverables, timelines and stakeholders.

What types of projects benefit from this model?

Projects involving telecoms, technology, AI governance, data protection, network rollout, platform development, regulatory change or major procurement typically benefit from senior project-specific legal oversight.

Do you integrate with internal project teams?

Yes. We work directly with legal, commercial, operational and technical teams, ensuring legal and regulatory issues are addressed in real time.

Can you manage cross-border or multi-jurisdictional elements?

Yes. We support English-law components, coordinate with overseas counsel and maintain consistency across legal and regulatory workstreams.

How does handover work at the end of the project?

We provide a structured close-out package including documentation, risk logs, recommendations and knowledge transfer to ensure smooth transition to business-as-usual.

Project counsel

Project Counsel