Gary Oliver
Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7325
Jess has a vigorous, wide-ranging practice encompassing public law and regulatory disputes, human rights, commercial litigation, competition and EU law, telecoms, and disputes relating to the media and privacy. She appears regularly in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Competition Appeal Tribunal and has argued two cases, unled, in the Supreme Court.
Jess undertakes work in all of Chambers’ practice areas. She is ranked in both of the leading legal directories, the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for Administrative & Public Law and Competition Law and holds additional rankings for Media & Entertainment in the Legal 500 and Telecommunications in Chambers and Partners. She was identified as one of Chambers & Partners’ “Stars of the Bar: 5 Years’ Call and Under” in Chambers UK 2013, which stated: “Boyd “has the ability to take indigestible material and make it lucid, even when handing the most complicated cases ever seen.” She matches significant intellectual fire-power with “a capacity for hard work which is truly something else; she is remarkable” and an "Ofcom favourite". She has also been recognised as a Legal 500 2019 Junior of the Year for EU and Competition.
Jess has a broad public law practice, encompassing civil liberties, human rights, immigration, commercial judicial review and all aspects of regulatory and administrative law. She acts regularly for claimants and defendants as junior and as sole counsel. She has acted in regulatory disputes, involving decisions by a large number of regulators or ‘self-regulators’, including Ofgem, Ofcom, the Health Professions Council, the Civil Aviation Authority, the BBC, the Competition and Markets Authority, the FCA, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, the General Medical Council, the General Teaching Council and the BBFC.
“She is outstanding at oral and written advocacy. She expresses complex legal principles in a plain and understandable manner.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“She has a truly brilliant mind, is exceptionally hard working, is very responsive, and is great with clients.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Jessica is an exceptional barrister.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Fantastically bright.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“She knows how to run a judicial review inside out.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Exceptionally bright with superb judgement and tactical skills.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Outstanding drafting; she truly knows how to litigate judicial review.”
Chambers and Partners, 2020
“Superb on the detail.”
Legal 500, 2019
“She truly knows how to litigate judicial review.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“Very perceptive and extremely knowledgeable, she's very probing.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“Outstanding drafting.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“Very calm, and sees the other side's points.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“She really delivers.”
Chambers UK, 2018
“She is very user-friendly and gets to grips with the detail incredibly quickly.”
Chambers UK, 2018
“She has a superb analytical mind in addressing complex statutory and regulatory questions.”
Legal 500, 2018
“She is very fluent, engaging and has an ability to describe something complicated without leaving the listener confused.”
Chambers UK, 2016
“Impresses with her intelligent and calm legal analysis”
Legal 500, 2016
“A very responsive and highly intelligent junior.”
Legal 500, 2015
Acted for Whitter in an appeal to the Supreme Court in a case concerning HMRC's cancellation of Whitter's gross payment status. The issues in the case included whether Article 1 of the First Protocol was engaged, and whether the requirement of proportionality entailed that the effect of cancellation on the registrant had to be taken into account. Shared the oral argument with Tom Chacko of Pump Court Tax Chambers, and had sole responsibility for arguing the human rights issues.
Appeal to the Supreme Court concerning the scope of the defence of
objective justification in respect of a claim of unequal treatment or
substantive unfairness arising out of the OFT’s Tobacco investigation. Appeared as sole counsel for Somerfield in the Supreme Court.
Acted as junior to Mike Fordham QC in an appeal to the Privy Council from Trinidad and Tobago concerning the proper application of the delay rules in judicial review in that jurisdiction.
Acted for Ofcom (with Pushpinder Saini QC and Flora Robertson) in a judicial review brought by the Avaaz Foundation of Ofcom's decision that Sky would not cease to be fit and proper to retain its broadcast licences in the event of a merger with 21st Century Fox.
Acted for Ofcom (with Dinah Rose QC and Tom Coates) in two expedited judicial review claims brought by Hutchison 3G and BT/EE with respect to Ofcom's award of the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz spectrum.
Acted as junior counsel to the Claimant in judicial review of the NMC’s decision concerning the adequacy of professional indemnity insurance held by independent midwives.
Acted with Pushpinder Saini QC for Ofcom in a claim for judicial review brought by EE (and supported by the other mobile network operators) concerning Ofcom’s decision to revise the annual licence fees payable for the use of certain bands of spectrum for mobile telephony. Ofcom won at first instance and lost in the Court of Appeal.
Acted as junior counsel for David Crompton, the former Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, in his successful claim for judicial review of the decision of the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire to require him to resign following the return of verdicts in the renewed Hillsborough Inquiry. This was the first consideration by a Court of the nature and extent of the new power conferred on Police and Crime Commissioners by s. 11 of the Police and Social Responsibility Act 2011.
Advising the BBFC on the regulatory regime for enforcement of the new requirement that persons making pornography available on the internet have in place effective age-verification mechanisms.
Advised British Gas with Mike Fordham QC in relation to Ofgem’s regulatory proposals concerning recoverability of expenses incurred in installing pre-payment meters.
Acted for the Defendant in judicial review proceedings brought by a registrant in relation to disciplinary proceedings. Permission was granted, but the case then settled favourably.
Acted for the interested party, Intercontinental Hotel Group Ltd, in an appeal brought by Skyscanner under s. 47(1)(c) of the Competition Act 1998 relating to the CMA’s decision to accept commitments from parties under investigation. Led by Tim Ward QC of Monckton Chambers.
Acts for the Claimant in a judicial review of TfL’s decision to require taxi drivers to accept card payment while prohibiting them from recovering transaction charges by means of a surcharge.
Acted with Dinah Rose defending a claim judicial review brought by DHL concerning the question whether courier companies such as DHL were “postal operators”, and as such subject to Ofcom’s regulation. The claim was dismissed.
Acted with Dinah Rose QC and Brian Kennelly for the Claimant in a judicial review of the government’s decision to impose place-of-consumption taxation on providers of online gambling services located in Gibraltar. The Claimants were successful in obtaining an order for reference to the CJEU on a preliminary issue.
Acted for the Good Thinking Society in a judicial review of the LCCG’s decision to continue to commission homeopathy on the NHS. The defendant agreed to reconsider the decision and the claim was compromised on that basis.
Acted with Dinah Rose QC and Brian Kennelly for the Claimant in a judicial review of DCMS’s decision to introduce a new licensing regime for online gambling.
Acted with Shaheed Fatima for the Claimant in a judicial review of a decision relating to the safety of oil tankers manufactured in South Africa. The claim was compromised, and Jess continues to advise the Claimant on related and consequential matters.
Acted with Dinah Rose QC for the Claimant in an appeal to the Court of Appeal against a decision concerning the applicability of the Horserace Betting Levy to the operators of betting exchanges.
Advised HMIC in relation to inspections relating to police corruption and to the investigation of deaths at the hands of the state during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Together with Pushpinder Saini QC, advised Ofcom in relation to its assessment of whether B Sky B remained fit and proper to hold a broadcasting licence following the phone hacking scandal at News of the World.
Acted, with Emma Dixon and Dinah Rose QC, for the interested party in a judicial review claim relating to the development of Earls Court. The claim was ultimately withdrawn.
Acted for the Defendant in internal appeal proceedings against CIMA’s decision to exclude the Appellant from membership.
Jess appears in CAT and High Court competition-related disputes. She also acts in EU-related telecomms and pharmaceutical matters and claims for judicial review.
“Jessica is an absolute delight and utterly terrifyingly brilliant.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Her submissions are always a pleasure to listen to or read.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Really bright, alive to all the points in a case and someone with good judgement.”
Chambers and Partners, 2020
“Boyd is great at detailed technical analysis of a case and is responsive.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“She drafts beautifully, conveying propositions in a concise way.”
Chambers UK, 2018
“Provides clear advice both in conference and in written opinions.”
Legal 500, 2018
“A junior to watch”
Legal 500, 2017
“She is extremely bright, very approachable and someone who takes the time to engage with you as part of a team”
Chambers UK, 2017
“She has superb attention to detail and a modern approach to litigation.”
Legal 500, 2017
“Both extremely bright and an intelligent drafter.”
Legal 500, 2016
“Fantastic, thorough and easy to work with”
Legal 500, 2016
Appeal to the Supreme Court concerning the scope of the defence of
objective justification in respect of a claim of unequal treatment or
substantive unfairness arising out of the OFT’s Tobacco investigation. Appeared as sole counsel for Somerfield in the Supreme Court.
Acted for Ofcom (with Dinah Rose QC and Tom Coates) in two expedited judicial review claims brought by Hutchison 3G and BT/EE with respect to Ofcom's award of the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz spectrum.
Acted with Pushpinder Saini QC for Ofcom in a claim for judicial review brought by EE (and supported by the other mobile network operators) concerning Ofcom’s decision to revise the annual licence fees payable for the use of certain bands of spectrum for mobile telephony. Ofcom won at first instance and lost in the Court of Appeal.
Jess acts as junior counsel for JPMorgan in proceedings to annul the European Commission's finding that it participated in manipulation of the EURIBOR and EONIA benchmark interest rates in breach of competition law.
Act for Ofcom in judicial review proceedings concerning the forthcoming auction for 5G spectrum. Defending claims by EE/BT and H3G. .
Acted as junior counsel for the Claimant, HCA, in an appeal brought under section 179 of the Enterprise Act against the CMA’s decision requiring HCA to divest itself of two hospitals. Led by Dinah Rose QC.
Acted for the interested party, Intercontinental Hotel Group Ltd, in an appeal brought by Skyscanner under s. 47(1)(c) of the Competition Act 1998 relating to the CMA’s decision to accept commitments from parties under investigation. Led by Tim Ward QC of Monckton Chambers.
Acted with Alan Maclean QC in a dispute relating to alleged abuse of dominance in the provision of multiplex services to broadcasters of adult entertainment. The potential high court proceedings were compromised before issue.
Acted as junior counsel for Ofcom in a successful appeal against the CAT’s decision allowing Sky’s appeal against Ofcom’s Pay TV Statement.
Acted as junior to Brian Kennelly in an appeal from the CAT to the Court of Appeal relating to a price control set by Ofcom.
Advised Ofcom in relation to the auction of 4G spectrum held in February 2013.
Acted as junior counsel for Ofcom successfully defending an appeal by BT against Ofcom’s decision not to impose a WMO licence condition in Sky’s licence. There was a 2-week hearing of BT’s appeal in the CAT in October 2016.
Jess has advised in relation to a wide range of entertainment-related matters, including invasion of privacy, defamation, licensing, agency agreements, the national lottery and the regulation of broadcasting. She also acts in broadcasting-related regulatory and competition disputes. Jess has significant experience of claims relating to the gambling industry, having acted for gambling providers in a number of judicial reviews, and advised on diverse regulatory issues such as the status of virtual currency, the status of 'skins' and the Gambling Commission's approach to jackpot winners). She has also advised and acted in a number of matters relating to the adult industry, including abuse of dominance claims, and issues of regulatory compliance.
“She is very impressive and has remarkable attention to detail.”
Legal 500, 2021
“She is very impressive and has remarkable attention to detail.”
Legal 500, 2019
“She provides clear advice and takes care ensuring all relevant issues are covered.”
Legal 500, 2018
“She has a superb analytical mind.”
Legal 500, 2017
Advising the BBFC on the regulatory regime for enforcement of the new requirement that persons making pornography available on the internet have in place effective age-verification mechanisms.
Acted for Ofcom (with Pushpinder Saini QC and Flora Robertson) in a judicial review brought by the Avaaz Foundation of Ofcom's decision that Sky would not cease to be fit and proper to retain its broadcast licences in the event of a merger with 21st Century Fox.
Advised with Pushpinder Saini QC on the application of requirements in the Broadcasting Act concerning the use by the BBC of “independent producers” and prohibiting the grant of TLCS licences to “advertising agencies”.
Recently advised as to the application of gambling laws to platforms that enable gaming using “virtual currency” of the sort generated and used in the context of computer games.
Acted with Dinah Rose QC and Brian Kennelly for the Claimant in a judicial review of the government’s decision to impose place-of-consumption taxation on providers of online gambling services located in Gibraltar. The Claimants were successful in obtaining an order for reference to the CJEU on a preliminary issue.
Acted with Dinah Rose QC and Brian Kennelly for the Claimant in a judicial review of DCMS’s decision to introduce a new licensing regime for online gambling.
Acted with Alan Maclean QC in a dispute relating to alleged abuse of dominance in the provision of multiplex services to broadcasters of adult entertainment. The potential high court proceedings were compromised before issue.
Acted with Dinah Rose QC for the Claimant in an appeal to the Court of Appeal against a decision concerning the applicability of the Horserace Betting Levy to the operators of betting exchanges.
Advised Camelot Group, the operator of the National Lottery, in relation to a number of issues concerning the payment of prizes.
Together with Pushpinder Saini QC, advised Ofcom in relation to its assessment of whether B Sky B remained fit and proper to hold a broadcasting licence following the phone hacking scandal at News of the World.
Advised a producer of adult broadcast material in relation to potential complaints against its regulator.
Acted as junior counsel for Ofcom successfully defending an appeal by BT against Ofcom’s decision not to impose a WMO licence condition in Sky’s licence. There was a 2-week hearing of BT’s appeal in the CAT in October 2016.
Acted for Ofcom in a proposed judicial review brought by a broadcaster of adult entertainment programmes. Permission to seek judicial review denied on the papers.
Acted for Ofcom in a proposed judicial review brought in relation to the Channel 4 programme Embarrassing Bodies with reference to the Broadcasting Code.
Has advised the BBC on a number of issues relating to TV licensing.
Jess acts in judicial reviews and in CAT disputes related to telecommunications.
“She is a super intelligent barrister; she works very quickly, drafts like a dream and is very easy to work with.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“She is an excellent all-round public law barrister, who is great on telecoms as well.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Ferociously clever, and easy to work with.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“She has an amazing capacity to absorb enormous amounts of very complex detail and to articulate it in a clear and easy to understand way. Her drafting is very good and very crisp.”
Chambers and Partners, 2020
“An Ofcom favourite”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“ferociously clever and drafts exceedingly well.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
Acted for Ofcom (with Dinah Rose QC and Tom Coates) in two expedited judicial review claims brought by Hutchison 3G and BT/EE with respect to Ofcom's award of the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz spectrum.
Acted with Pushpinder Saini QC for Ofcom in a claim for judicial review brought by EE (and supported by the other mobile network operators) concerning Ofcom’s decision to revise the annual licence fees payable for the use of certain bands of spectrum for mobile telephony. Ofcom won at first instance and lost in the Court of Appeal.
Acted as junior to Brian Kennelly in an appeal from the CAT to the Court of Appeal relating to a price control set by Ofcom.
Act for Ofcom in judicial review proceedings concerning the forthcoming auction for 5G spectrum. Defending claims by EE/BT and H3G. .
Acted for Hutchison 3G in a claim brought by TelNG concerning sums withheld from termination charges on the basis that certain calls constituted Artificial Inflation of Traffic.
Advised Ofcom in relation to the auction of 4G spectrum held in February 2013.
Jess acts and advises in relation to commercial disputes relating to a wide range of subject matters, including international trade, insurance, engineering safety, insolvency, finance, oil refineries, pharmaceuticals and company matters.
“Extremely bright, calm and good at picking the witnesses in our cases.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
Acting for HNA Group in a claim under a guarantee relating to a charterparty which raised issues relating to torture and bribery. The Court of Appeal has allowed HNA's appeal and remitted the case to the commercial court. Shagang has sought permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. Led by Michael Fordham QC of Blackstone and Joe Smouha QC of Essex Court Chambers.
Acts with Alan Maclean QC for the Defendant in a dispute between two international pharmaceutical companies based on alleged economic duress. The trial is listed for five weeks in 2017.
Acted for ENRC in relation to issues concerning the protection of its confidential information.
Jess acts with Robert Anderson QC and Andreas Gledhill for the Claimant liquidator in litigation relating to the collapse of a fund. The claim against the first defendant has been compromise and the claim against the second defendant is currently stayed.
Acted for the Defendant in the early stages of a claim for damages relating to alleged defects in the welding of oil tankers in use on UK roads.
Acted with Dinah Rose QC for Mr Viktor Pinchuk in relation to proceedings in which the Claimants sought an injunction against Mr Pinchuk’s solicitors arising out of their alleged possession of confidential information. Mr Pinchuk applied to be joined as a party and to adduce evidence as to the impact in him of such an injunction.
Acted with Tony Peto QC for the Claimant in proceedings brought against a former director for breach of his director’s duties.
Acted as junior to Robert Howe QC in a claim brought by US investors in relation to a luxury development on Dellis Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Jess has acted in a number of high-profile human rights cases, including challenges arising out of the detention of British nationals and residents in Guantanamo Bay, and claims brought by both Iraqi nationals and British soldiers relating to the activities of the British military in Iraq. She has experience of a wide range of human rights issues, including in particular issues relating to detention, the right to a fair trial, immigration, discrimination and privacy.
“Jessica Boyd is highly knowledgeable, highly intelligent and a devastatingly persuasive advocate.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“She is absolutely first-rate.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Soon she'll be the best lawyer around, and if not, I'll eat my hat.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“She is very user-friendly, very approachable, and supremely intelligent.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
Acted for the Law Society, intervening in an application to the ECtHR by a number of NGOs claiming that the UK’s regime for the interception of communications is contrary ot Article 8 ECHR, following the Snowdon revelations.
Acting for HNA Group in a claim under a guarantee relating to a charterparty which raised issues relating to torture and bribery. The Court of Appeal has allowed HNA's appeal and remitted the case to the commercial court. Shagang has sought permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. Led by Michael Fordham QC of Blackstone and Joe Smouha QC of Essex Court Chambers.
Acted for Whitter in an appeal to the Supreme Court in a case concerning HMRC's cancellation of Whitter's gross payment status. The issues in the case included whether Article 1 of the First Protocol was engaged, and whether the requirement of proportionality entailed that the effect of cancellation on the registrant had to be taken into account. Shared the oral argument with Tom Chacko of Pump Court Tax Chambers, and had sole responsibility for arguing the human rights issues.
Advising the BBFC on the regulatory regime for enforcement of the new requirement that persons making pornography available on the internet have in place effective age-verification mechanisms.
Acted as junior counsel for David Crompton, the former Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, in his successful claim for judicial review of the decision of the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire to require him to resign following the return of verdicts in the renewed Hillsborough Inquiry. This was the first consideration by a Court of the nature and extent of the new power conferred on Police and Crime Commissioners by s. 11 of the Police and Social Responsibility Act 2011.
Advised Bail for Immigration Detainees on potential intervention in and supply of evidence to the Claimant concerning the Home Office’s policy of accommodating time-served foreign national offenders in the prison rather than immigration system.
Acted as junior to Mike Fordham QC in claims for judicial review brought by more than 160 Iraqi civilians against the Ministry of Defence in relation to their ill treatment by British forces in Iraq.
Acted as sole counsel for the Claimant in a judicial review of UKBA’s decision to remove a failed asylum seeker while he has civil proceedings pending against UKBA. The claim settled.
Acted as junior counsel in a judicial review of the MOD’s refusal to conduct an independent investigation into the deaths of British soldiers in Iraq.
Acted with Dinah Rose QC for the JSC in two sets of judicial review proceedings brought by the Marrache brothers relating, among other things to allegations of bias among the judiciary in Gibraltar. The claims settled.
Acted as junior to Michael Fordham QC for one of the appellants, Martin Mubanga, in claims brought by former detainees of Guantanamo Bay against various British Government departments. The claims ultimately settled.
Jess has advised or acted in relation to matters of professional discipline arising out of decisions of the FSA/FCA, the General Medical Council, the General Teaching Council and the Renewable Energy Consumer Code.
“Calm and measured; she gets right to the heart of a question”
Legal 500, 2016
Regularly acts as a legal assessor for the disciplinary panel of REAL, which administers the Renewable Energy Consumer Code.
Acted as junior counsel for David Crompton, the former Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, in his successful claim for judicial review of the decision of the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire to require him to resign following the return of verdicts in the renewed Hillsborough Inquiry. This was the first consideration by a Court of the nature and extent of the new power conferred on Police and Crime Commissioners by s. 11 of the Police and Social Responsibility Act 2011.
Acted for the General Medical Council in an appeal against sanction brought by the practitioner under s. 40 of the Medical Act 1983.
Acted for the Defendant in internal appeal proceedings against CIMA’s decision to exclude the Appellant from membership.
Acted for the GMC in an appeal against sanction brought by the practitioner under s. 40 of the Medical Act 1983.
Acted with Alan Maclean QC in the GMC’s successful appeal to the Court of Appeal against a decision of HHJ Faber sitting in the County Court relating to the criteria for entry onto the Specialist Register.
Acted with Andrew Green QC for an individual in disciplinary proceedings brought against him by the FSA.
Advised British Gas with Mike Fordham QC in relation to Ofgem’s regulatory proposals concerning recoverability of expenses incurred in installing pre-payment meters.
Acted for the Defendant in judicial review proceedings brought by a registrant in relation to disciplinary proceedings. Permission was granted, but the case then settled favourably.
Jess has acted in public law and commercial law disputes involving health and pharmaceuticals.
Acts with Alan Maclean QC for the Defendant in a dispute between two international pharmaceutical companies based on alleged economic duress. The trial is listed for five weeks in 2017.
Acted for the Good Thinking Society in a judicial review of the LCCG’s decision to continue to commission homeopathy on the NHS. The defendant agreed to reconsider the decision and the claim was compromised on that basis.
Acted with Alan Maclean QC in the GMC’s successful appeal to the Court of Appeal against a decision of HHJ Faber sitting in the County Court relating to the criteria for entry onto the Specialist Register.
MA Hons (Cantab), Philosophy, (Double Starred First); PhD, Philosophy, Princeton University; Diploma in Law, City University, (Distinction); Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law, (Outstanding)
VAT registration number: 936650603
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 8227326
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 8227329
Danny Compton
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7338
Sophie Floydd
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7324
Rio Sully
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7299