Gary Oliver
Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7325
Hollie has a wide-ranging practice that encompasses all of Chambers' main areas of work. She is appointed to the Attorney-General's Panel of Counsel (C Panel). Recent highlights of her practice include:
She is ranked as an "up and coming" junior and "rising star" in the directories in public law and employment law. Recent comments include:
Hollie accepts instructions in all areas of public and regulatory work. Recent work has covered issues of constitutional law issues (acting for the Counsel General for Wales in two Supreme Court appeals including Miller No.2); immigration (acting for the Home Secretary in the latest Sri Lanka Country Guidance case and for the AIRE Centre in deportation appeals); regulation in the financial, energy and telecoms sectors (acting both for and against the major regulators) and freedom of information/data protection issues (acting for Dr Qureshi in his various judicial review and FOIA challenges in respect of the UK's pandemic responsiveness).
“She is excellent; she is able to discuss complex issues with the experts as well as the clients, and demonstrates strong commercial awareness.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Hollie can prepare drafts at short notice with impressive speed and her drafting is very clear and precise.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“An excellent advocate and a thoughtful strategist. She provides very good client care.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
Acting for the Claimant in an ongoing challenge to the lawfulness of a decision to cancel nickel trades on the London Metal Exchange in the wake of Russian's invasion of Ukraine - one of The Lawyer's Top 20 Cases for 2023. Led by James Segan KC.
Acting for the Government in Divisional Court and Court of Appeal proceedings concerning the compatibility of export financing decisions to the Paris Agreement with Sir James Eadie KC.
Acting for Ofcom in judicial review proceedings regarding the launch of Radio 1 Dance on the BBC Sounds platform (led by Tristan Jones).
Acted for the charity Here for Good in successfully challenging Home Office Guidance on those who would not be entitled to remain in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme because they had been absent from the UK for a period of time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Guidance withdrawn after permission granted, but before the substantive hearing (led by Charlotte Kilroy KC).
Acted for the Secretary of State for the Home Department before the Upper Tribunal and Court of Appeal in a Country Guidance case concerning those categories of asylum seekers who will be at risk on return to Sri Lanka by reason of their sur place political activities (led by Naina Patel).
Successfully acted pro bono (instructed by The AIRE Centre) in a deportation appeal before the FtT and Upper Tribunal.
Acting for Dr Qureshi in challenging Government refusals to disclose documents relating to pandemic preparations prior to Covid-19 to the ICO. Numerous successful determinations obtained.
Acted for the claimants in a judicial review of the Minister’s decision, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, to refuse to publish the full ‘Exercise Cygnus’ reports following the Government’s 2016 pandemic preparedness test (led by Tom Hickman KC).
Acted for Ofcom in a judicial review claim seeking to challenge its decisions as to the prominence of local TV and television programme guides (led by Kate Gallafent KC).
Acted for the Counsel General for Wales in the challenge to the prorogation of Parliament (led by Michael Fordham KC).
Acted for the Good Thinking Society in a judicial review challenge to the PSA’s accreditation of the Society of Homeopaths, in light of evidence that the Society is connected with practitioners of a therapy that recommends non-vaccination of children as a means of ‘curing’ autism (led by Jason Pobjoy). Claim settled after permission granted, but before substantive hearing.
Acted on behalf of ENRC in judicial review proceedings against the SFO regarding investigations into concerns of historical SFO wrongdoing (led by Michael Fordham KC).
Advised the Independent Reviewer, Mr Mark Zelmer, on matters relating to his review (led by Catherine Callaghan KC).
Acted for the Counsel General for Wales in the Supreme Court reference of the Scottish Continuity Bill, concerning the intersection of devolution and Brexit (led by Michael Fordham KC).
Advised on a potential appeal of an Ofgem licensing decision (led by Kieron Beal KC).
Hollie accepts instructions in all areas of EU law and competition disputes. She is currently acting for UBS in Commercial Court and Competition Appeal Tribunal proceedings arising from alleged breaches of competition law in the FX markets.
Acted for Betgenius in joined competition and private law proceedings arising from Football Data Co's grant of exclusive rights to collect and supply football betting data to it and Sportradar's scouting activities. Settled during trial (led by Ian Mill KC and Tom de La Mare KC).
Acting for UBS in a damages claim against a number of global banks arising out of alleged breach of competition law concerning conduct in the FX markets (led by Brian Kennelly KC and Paul Luckhurst).
Acting for UBS in proposed collective proceedings before the Competition Appeal Tribunal arising out of European Commission decisions concerning conduct in FX markets (led by Brian Kennelly KC and Paul Luckhurst).
A competition damages claim relating to the setting of interchange fees, including in hearings before the Court of Appeal on amendments to the claim after the expiry of limitation and before the High Court on choice of law issues in respect of limitation (assisting Kieron Beal KC, Tristan Jones and Eesvan Krishnan).
Competition Appeal Tribunal trial concerning BT's challenge to Ofcom's business connectivity market review (assisting Tristan Jones, Mark Vinall and Daniel Cashman).
Hollie accepts instructions in all areas of commercial litigation. She is currently acting for UBS in Commercial Court and Competition Appeal Tribunal proceedings arising from alleged manipulation of global FX markets.
Acted for Betgenius in joined competition and private law proceedings arising from Football Data Co's grant of exclusive rights to collect and supply football betting data to it and Sportradar's scouting activities. Settled during trial (led by Ian Mill KC and Tom de La Mare KC).
Acted for The Racing Partnership in a Supreme Court appeal raising questions as to the law of unlawful means conspiracy and breach of confidence in the context of sporting data (led by Ian Mill KC). Settled before hearing.
Acting for UBS in a damages claim against a number of global banks arising out of alleged breach of competition law concerning conduct in the FX markets (led by Brian Kennelly KC and Paul Luckhurst).
Acting for UBS in proposed collective proceedings before the Competition Appeal Tribunal arising out of European Commission decisions concerning conduct in FX markets (led by Brian Kennelly KC and Paul Luckhurst).
Acting for the three individual respondents in an unfair prejudice dispute concerning the management of a family-run business.
Acted for a global company in a £60million breach of contract claim brought by one of its franchisees (led by Tom Weisselberg KC).
Acted for the defendant in Commercial Court proceedings concerning the proper construction of a sponsor agreement for the issuance of corporate bonds (led by Andrew George KC).
Acted in the successful appeal regarding the proper interpretation of 'entire agreements clauses' within an SPA concerning the sale of a football club and the exclusion of liability for misrepresentation (led by Adam Baradon).
Acted (unled) in a multi-day trial against a QC, winning six figure damages. Case raised issues of breach of contract and telecoms regulation.
Acted unled on behalf of a communications provider in a High Court contractual dispute against BT, securing settlement shortly before trial.
Acted for the Defendant company, obtaining significant damages on a counterclaim for fraud.
Hollie appears regularly before the Employment Tribunal and High Court, and is experienced in appellate work up to the Supreme Court. Recent work has involved advising international NGOs on claims raising complex equal pay issues and summary dismissals following safeguarding concerns; defending clients against allegations of historical sexual harassment and discrimination; advising claimants and defendants alike on employee/worker status and issues of ‘sham contracts;’ and striking-out a whistleblowing claim against a local authority at the preliminary stages. She is also experienced in conducting internal investigations in the employment context. Her clients have included local authorities, schools, international NGOs and multinational corporations.
“She has amazing attention to detail, supplemented by amazing analysis and a razor-sharp intellect.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Hollie is exceptional. She is quick to spot potential issues and then considered and focused in resolving them.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Hollie is superbly smart, approaches work as if nothing is too much trouble, and her drafting is excellent.”
Legal 500, 2023
“She is a very confident advocate and she has the polish that you usually only get when you are more senior.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“She is ferociously bright, her client skills are very good, she is very clear, she is empathetic and her written work is very thorough - all in all she is a star in the making.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“Hollie is sharp and quick to grasp the thorny issues. She's also great with clients, balanced and a pleasure to work with.”
Legal 500, 2022
Acting for a fintech company in proceedings issued against 3 of its co-founders of breach of confidentiality and fiduciary duties (led by Diya Sen Gupta KC).
Acted for a major global insurance group and two directors defending claims of whistleblowing, constructive dismissal and race discrimination (led by Diya Sen Gupta KC).
Acting for a financial services firm in defending sex discrimination and victimisation claims (led by Diya Sen Gupta KC).
Acted for Asda in their appeal before the Supreme Court on the ability of retail workers to compare themselves with distribution workers for the purposes of their equal pay claim (led by Lord Pannick KC and Ben Cooper KC)
Advising on the construction of new legislation in Gibraltar prohibiting ‘bullying’ in the context of employment (led by Lord Pannick KC).
Acted pro bono for the claimant in a maternity discrimination claim against her former employer and their insurers (joined pursuant to the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010). 5-figure settlement achieved before preliminary hearing.
Successfully acted for the Respondents in a 5-day preliminary hearing on the question of employer identity, where corporate directors had been employed by a group holding company but performed work for the subsidiaries. Case raised issues of 'sham' and implied contracts.
Advised on an equal pay claim against a major international NGO, raising issues as to when work is of ‘equal value’ and time-limits.
Acted for a School in successfully defending a claim of sexual discrimination and sexual harassment across a 10-year period.
Acted for an international NGO in defending a claim of wrongful dismissal. The claim raised issues of territorial jurisdiction and safeguarding in conflict areas.
Acted for an employee claiming disability discrimination and unfair dismissal against a government department. Settled for a significant 5-figure sum before trial.
High Court claim against a former employee for breach of a non-solicitation clause, including a successful application for an interim injunction prior to speedy trial (assisting Paul Goulding KC and Diya Sen Gupta KC).
Hollie has a wide-ranging practice in sports law, covering employment and contractual disputes, data and IP exploitation and regulatory matters. Many of her instructions are confidential. She is the co-author of the chapter "Discrimination in Sport" in Sport: Law and Practice, 4th ed.
Hollie was instructed by a football club to conduct a confidential investigation in the context of an employment dispute.
Hollie has advised on matters relating to the Financial Fair Play rules.
Acted for Betgenius in joined competition and private law proceedings arising from Football Data Co's grant of exclusive rights to collect and supply football betting data to it and Sportradar's scouting activities. Settled during trial (led by Ian Mill KC and Tom de La Mare KC).
Acted for The Racing Partnership in a Supreme Court appeal raising questions as to the law of unlawful means conspiracy and breach of confidence in the context of sporting data (led by Ian Mill KC). Settled before hearing.
Acted in the successful appeal regarding the proper interpretation of 'entire agreements clauses' within an SPA concerning the sale of a football club and the exclusion of liability for misrepresentation (led by Adam Baradon).
Hollie accepts instructions in all areas of media and entertainment. Her clients have included record companies, music publishers, artists and the BBC.
Successfully acted for a number of music publishing companies in a copyright ownership dispute in respect of over 80 Bob Marley songs (led by Ian Mill KC).
Acting for Ofcom in judicial review proceedings regarding the launch of Radio 1 Dance on the BBC Sounds platform (led by Tristan Jones).
Acted for Ofcom in a judicial review claim seeking to challenge its decisions as to the prominence of local TV and television programme guides (led by Kate Gallafent KC).
Acted for The Racing Partnership in a Supreme Court appeal raising questions as to the law of unlawful means conspiracy and breach of confidence in the context of sporting data (led by Ian Mill KC). Settled before hearing.
Advised on the regime surrounding film and sound recordings of Parliamentary proceedings – in particular, the implications of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998, the notion of ‘parliamentary copyright’ and the notion of contempt of Parliament (led by Lord Pannick KC and Tom Hickman KC).
Hollie welcomes instructions in all areas of financial services work. Recent work has included advice connected to the regulatory regime governing pension providers and trustees (particularly SIPPs and the emerging regime for pension superfunds), a 3-month FCA secondment focused on MiFID II and advising Mr Mark Zelmer, the independent reviewer appointed for the Treasury Review into the prudential regulation of the Co-op Bank prior to its near collapse.
Advised the Independent Reviewer, Mr Mark Zelmer, on matters relating to his review (led by Catherine Callaghan KC).
Advised on a range of matters in the area of pensions regulation, including questions arising from SIPPs, 'pension superfunds' and breach of trust claims in the Channel Islands.
Advised on the legal and regulatory obligations of pension trustees in Guernsey and breach of trust claims.
Advice on a proposed ‘Skilled Person’ appointment under Part VII of FSMA 2000 to review a ring-fencing transfer scheme (assisting Ben Jaffey KC).
Advice to a financial services firm on the insurance implications of potential regulatory action by the FCA (assisting Ben Jaffey KC).
Hollie is committed to pro bono work and regularly accepts instructions via Advocate or other NGOs.
Before coming to the bar, Hollie was a Lecturer in Roman Law at Worcester College, Oxford.
VAT registration number: 275880265
Barristers regulated by the Bar Standards Board
Gary Oliver
Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7325
Derek Sutton
Deputy Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7327
Adam Sloane
Deputy Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7326
Dean Tolman
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7331
Billy Brian
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7339
Marc Armstrong
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7330
Adam Fuschillo
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7329
Danny Compton
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7338
Sophie Reeve
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7324
Rio Sully
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7299