Uk counsel

UK Counsel for Global Businesses

Introduction

International organisations operating in the UK often require a trusted point of contact for English law, regulatory and commercial matters. Bratby Law provides UK-based general counsel support that integrates directly with global legal teams, ensuring local issues are managed with the same clarity, consistency and commercial understanding as internal colleagues.

We act as the UK arm of your legal function, providing senior-level support across telecoms, technology, AI, data and digital-infrastructure matters.

UK legal support for multinational organisations

Global businesses with centralised legal functions benefit from a UK adviser who can respond quickly, interpret local regulatory requirements and ensure alignment with group risk appetite, governance structures and decision-making processes.

We regularly support organisations headquartered in the US, Europe and Asia that operate in the UK across telecoms, technology, AI, data and infrastructure sectors.

Our UK counsel services include:

  • Commercial contracting – drafting, reviewing and negotiating supplier, customer and reseller agreements governed by English law.
  • Regulatory and compliance advice – interpreting UK telecoms, AI and data regulation in a multi-jurisdictional context.
  • Corporate and transactional support – supporting local acquisitions, disposals, investments and governance processes, including English-law due diligence and documentation.
  • Operational legal issues – advising on UK employment, operational and compliance frameworks in coordination with internal HR and governance teams.
  • Disputes and investigations – coordinating external counsel, managing UK-specific litigation matters and aligning strategy with global risk policies.

How we work


We work as an integrated extension of your in-house legal team, adopting your templates, workflows and project-management tools to deliver seamless UK support.

Engagements typically include:

  • Acting as retained UK counsel for continuity and oversight.
  • Supporting discrete projects such as transactions, product launches, governance reviews or investigations.
  • Providing ad-hoc advice on urgent English-law or regulatory matters.
  • Attending internal calls, contributing to global legal initiatives and reporting to the group general counsel or regional legal lead.

This model provides clarity, continuity and predictable cost while ensuring English-law issues are managed to the standards expected of an internal senior lawyer.

Why global clients instruct Bratby Law

  • Deep experience in UK telecoms, technology, AI and data regulation.
  • Senior in-house, regulatory and international private-practice background.
  • Clear, commercially grounded advice aligned with global strategy.
  • Seamless collaboration with international legal, compliance and external-counsel networks.
  • Predictable, flexible support delivered through fractional general-counsel arrangements where required.

We provide the UK legal presence your business needs to operate, grow and maintain compliance in the UK market.

Related services

• Fractional General Counsel
• Technology and Telecoms Transactions
• AI and Data Governance
• Specialist Co-counsel

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
Uk counsel for global businesses 5 | bratby law | telecoms | ai | data
2 | bratby law | telecoms | ai | data
Uk counsel for global businesses 6 | bratby law | telecoms | ai | data

Contact us to discuss how we can support you in the UK

Book a call

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

Frequently asked questions

What does a UK counsel service provide?

It provides English-law, regulatory and commercial support for global organisations operating in the UK, delivered as an extension of the internal legal team.

Is this a substitute for a UK general counsel?

It can operate as a substitute or as complementary support. Many multinationals maintain a centralised legal function and rely on us for UK-specific matters that require English-law or UK-regulatory expertise.

Do you support cross-border transactions?

Yes. We regularly support M&A, commercial and infrastructure transactions involving UK assets or UK-law governed contracts, working alongside global teams.

How does the engagement model work?

Engagements may be retained, project-based or ad-hoc depending on business requirements. The model is flexible and can scale as demand increases.

Can you coordinate UK litigation or investigations?

Yes. We manage external counsel relationships, ensure consistency with global strategy and provide senior-level oversight of UK disputes and investigations.

Uk counsel

UK Counsel for Global Businesses