Charles leads Brodies' competition law practice, supporting clients on sensitive and strategically important matters including obtaining merger clearance for major M&A projects, investigating potential competition breaches, responding to dawn raids and acting in competition litigation. He also advises private and public sector clients on State aid and public procurement, in both contentious and non-contentious scenarios.

Charles also supports commercial, public sector, charitable and individual clients on public law issues including judicial review, human rights, information law, charity law and public authority powers and duties. He advises clients on constitutional matters, such as the limits on the Scottish Parliament’s powers, and is the co-head of Brodies' Brexit Advisory Group. He also has significant experience of drafting legislation, including Acts of the Scottish Parliament. Charles is an experienced litigator, having handled major cases in courts up to the UK Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Charles also heads up Brodies' cross-practice food & drink sector group.

Living Brodies' values

Clients appreciate Charles's legal insight, collaborative approach and tenacious character. He takes care to ensure that technical and complex legal issues are explained clearly.

Highlights icon

Highlights

  • Supported a client dealing with a European Commission dawn raid of the client's Scottish premises.
  • Secured merger clearance for Abellio's takeover of the East Midlands rail franchise.
  • Led the Scotch Whisky Association's challenge to Scotland's alcohol minimum pricing legislation, in the CJEU and Supreme Court.
Rankings icon

Rankings

  • Ranked Band 1 for Competition Law by Chambers UK 2024 and as a Leading Individual for EU & Competition by Legal 500 UK 2024.
  • Identified as a  'Leading Individual' (Parliamentary & Public Affairs) by Legal 500 UK 2024.
  • Ranked Band 1 for Administrative & Public Law and ranked band 2 for Parliamentary & Public Affairs by Chambers UK 2024.