Charlie Potter

As a pupil, Charlie gained broad experience in the field of public law and human rights. He assisted pupil supervisors (in particular, Javan Herberg) in advising on issues such as the susceptibility of bodies to judicial review and potential challenges under the Human Rights Act 1998. He also assisted in advising on issues arising under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Charlie was involved in important public law proceedings in the High Court, including:

Government of Bermuda v Ofcom & Isle of Man [2008] EWHC 2009 (Admin), in which the Government of Bermuda unsuccessfully brought judicial review proceedings against Ofcom concerning the latter’s power to represent both Bermuda and the Isle of Man under section 22 of the Communications Act 2003 in relation to applications for putting a new satellite into space. Charlie appeared for the Isle of Man at the hearing with Robert Englehart QC. (During his seat with Pupil Supervisor Javan Herberg)

The Office of Communications v The Information Commissioner and T-Mobile (UK), in which Ofcom
appealed against a decision of the Information Commissioner (under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004) requiring Ofcom to make available detailed information about mobile phone bases given to it by mobile network operators. (Assisting Pupil Supervisor Jane Collier)

As a pupil, Charlie was involved in various high-value commercial disputes, including a large foreign utilities arbitration. During his pupillage seat with Andrew Hunter, he participated in applications for a variety of injunctions (including search orders and freezing injunctions) and provided advice in relation to issues arising under rights / licence agreements and contracts for the sale of goods.

Regulation

Charlie assisted his pupil supervisors (in particular, Javan Herberg and Jane Collier) in advising various public bodies in relation to their general powers and duties (including Ofgem, Ofcom and the BBC). With Javan Herberg, Charlie was also involved in advising on issues relating to financial services and market abuse under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Charlie is a qualified employment law representative for the Free Representation Unit and has successfully represented clients on a pro bono basis in the Employment Tribunal.

During pupillage Charlie was actively involved in employment cases dealing with a range of issues, including restrictive covenants, unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal and discrimination. Charlie assisted his Pupil Supervisor Tom Croxford in the high-profile, reported case of RDF Media v Clements [2008] I.R.L.R. 207, in which the Claimant sought to enforce a restrictive covenant against a director/employee in order to prevent him from going to work for a rival media group. The Defendant alleged that he had been constructively dismissed by reason of the Claimant making certain damaging public statements about his departure.

During Charlie’s pupillage he assisted Andrew Hunter on several cases involving media law, in particular royalty accounting claims in the music and computer games industries.

Charlie also assisted Andrew Hunter on several cases involving sports law, including an appeal before the Sport Dispute Resolution Panel.

Previous career:

Before converting to a career at the Bar, Charlie was a broadcast journalist / producer at the BBC’s flagship news and current affairs television programme, Newsnight, having previously worked across all the principal departments of the BBC as an assistant producer on the BBC’s production training scheme.

Immediately before starting pupillage, Charlie spent a brief period working in the litigation department of the international firm of solicitors, Jones Day.

Prizes and Scholarships:

• Bedingfield Scholar (Gray’s Inn 2006/07)
• David Karmel Scholar (Gray’s Inn 2005/06)
• Serle Court Essay Prize for Equity & Trusts (City University, 2005/06)
• Marjorie McFarlane Prize (1999) & Gluckstein Memorial Prize (2001) (Cambridge University)