Kieron Beal KC is a leading silk practising in all areas of commercial and civil law. He has particular expertise in competition law, European law, sports law, telecommunications, judicial review and human rights, VAT and other direct and indirect taxes. 

Kieron was a member of the Attorney General’s ‘C’, ‘B’ and ‘A’ Panel from 1999 until March 2012. Since taking silk, he has continued to appear in a wide range of cases before all levels of Courts and Tribunals in England and Wales and before the Luxembourg and Strasbourg Courts. He was called to the Bar of Ireland in 2020. He was elected a Master of the Bench of the Inner Temple in 2016. Kieron was Chairman of the Bar European Group from July 2018 to July 2020. He is currently chairman of the Inner Temple International Committee.

Kieron is recognised by latest editions of both the leading independent legal directories for his expertise in competition law, tax, telecoms regulation, European union law and administrative and public law. Key recent quotes include:

  • "Kieron has incredible technical knowledge and is second-to-none when it comes to practical advice, both in terms of litigation tactics and strategy, but also from an advocacy perspective."- Legal 500, 2024
  • "Kieron is first-rate. He is user-friendly, interacts well with clients, and goes the extra mile for them. He works incredibly hard."- Chambers & Partners, 2024

Previous comments include:

  • "A silk who always delivers a first class service; Kieron is a brilliant advocate and produces quality written work."- Legal 500, 2023
  • "One of the pre-eminent KCs at the Bar. He is phenomenally bright and has a ready ability to think outside the box, developing novel, cutting-edge arguments that really catch the court's attention."- Chambers UK, 2023

He is Consultant Editor to Halsbury's Laws, Vol. 18, Competition, 5th Edition, 2022. 

Kieron also has experience of work in professional negligence, insurance, contract and tort, and extradition.


Experience

Shortlist

EU & Competition

Kieron regularly appears before both domestic and EU courts and tribunals in all areas of EU law and in private competition law claims. Kieron is instructed by central Government, regulators and private clients in advisory work and in proceedings before the domestic and EU courts, the Competition Appeal Tribunal and the Competition and Markets Authority.

Cases

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Tax

Kieron regularly appears before the First Tier Tax Tribunal, the Upper Tribunal, the Court of Appeal and CJEU in disputes concerning indirect taxation, customs and excise duties, insurance premium tax, stamp duty, income and corporation tax and anti-dumping matters.

Cases

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Public & Regulatory

Kieron acts in a wide variety of cases for and against Government bodies, both in domestic courts and before the CJEU and the European Court of Human Rights.

Cases

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Civil Liberties & Human Rights

Kieron acts in a wide variety of cases for and against Government bodies, both in domestic courts and before the CJEU and the European Court of Human Rights.

Cases

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Telecommunications

Developing from his competition practice, Kieron has specialist experience in the telecommunications sector. He advises a number of CSPs, MNOs and other market participants and has represented Ofcom before the CAT. 

Cases

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Sport

Kieron acts in a wide variety of cases across a range of sports, principally football, rugby and Formula One. He is particularly involved in the interaction between sports law and competition law. He has sat as a sports arbitrator and is the author of the chapter on competition law in Nick de Marco KC's book Football and the Law.

Cases

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Achievements

Publications


  • Consultant Editor for Halsbury's Laws Vol 18, Competition, 2022, 5th Edition
  • Author of chapter on EU law in the Supreme Court’s Legal Year in Review, 2018-2019. 
  • Author of chapter on the European Economic Area Agreement Competition Rules, published in Ortiz Blanco’s EC Competition Procedure, 2nd Edition, OUP (2006); and in the Third Edition (2013). Forthcoming fourth edition, 2021.
  • Biondi et al, Brexit: The Legal Implications, 2018, Wolters Kluwer, chapter on competition law.
  • Author of chapter on competition law in Football and the law, Ed. De Marco, 2018, second edition, 2022.
  • Chapter on the European Charter, “Putting down the dog that did not bark”, in Britain Alone: The Implications and Consequences of United Kingdom Exit from the EU, eds. Birkinshaw and Biondi, 2016.
  • Author of a chapter in Paul Goulding QC’s Employee Competition, 2nd Edition, 2011, and 3rd Edition, 2016, concerning EU competition law.
  • "More flexible and less bureaucratic" or carte blanche? The enforcement of subsidy control post-Brexit, [2022] 43(12) E.C.L.R. 533-542
  • Ubi Ius, Ibi Remedium: Do the Union Courts have ‘the Latin for Judging’? [2015] 20 JR Vol. 3, p. 115. 
  • Beano no more: The EU Charter of Rights after Lisbon, [2011] JR 113 with T. Hickman.
  • Co-author of two chapters on intra-Community trade in goods and services for Paul Lasok QC’s VAT Looseleaf, Sweet & Maxwell (July 2009).
  • Co-author of two chapters on the Cartel Offence in Montgomery and Ormerod, Fraud – Criminal law and procedure, Looseleaf, Oxford University Press, April 2008 and updates.
  • Crehan and Post-Modern Malaise, [2007] Comp Law Rev Vol. 6 Issue 1, p. 17.
  • “Goed Wonen: Retroactivity in domestic VAT legislation: A jump to the left, then a step to the right?” [2006] BTR No. 2, Sweet & Maxwell, 2006.
  • “Sauce for the Goose, sauce for the cow, pig and fish?” International Company and Commercial Law Review, May 2002, Vol. 13, Issue 5, p. 192.
  • Co-author of chapter in Leigh-Ann Mulcahy, Human Rights and Civil Practice, Sweet & Maxwell, 2001, on Community Law and Human Rights.
  • Contributing editor of two works by Luis Ortiz Blanco, EC Competition Procedure, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1996 and Commission Kommentar on Transport.

Appointments

  • Kieron was a member of the Attorney General’s ‘A’ Panel from February 2007 until March 2012.

Memberships

  • Master of the Bench, Inner Temple
  • Bar European Group (Vice Chairman, 2016-2018; Chairman 2018-2020) 
  • European Circuit
  • UK Association for European Law
  • Competition Law Association
  • COMBAR 
  • Administrative Law Bar Association
  • European Law Institute
  • Irish Centre for European Law
  • L'Union des avocats européens (UAE)

Selected earlier reported cases

EU & Competition

  • Commission v Portugal Case C-38/10 [2012] ECLI:EU:C:2012:521, CJEU 
  • Vale Kft v Hungary Case C-378/10 [2012] ECLI:EU:C:2012:440, CJEU
  • SIAT SA v Belgium Case C-318/10 [2012] ECLI:EU:C:2012:415, CJEU
  • Sky v Ofcom [2012] CAT 20, CAT. 
  • Thames Water Utilities Ltd v Ofwat [2012] EWCA Civ 218
  • British Telecommunications plc v Ofcom [Case 1187/3/3/11]
  • Dereci v Austria Case C-256/11 [2011] ECR I-11315, CJEU 
  • Shiner and Sheinman v HMRC [2011] EWCA Civ 892, CA. 
  • National Grid Indus BV v Netherlands Case C-371/10 [2011] ECR I-12273, CJEU
  • RTI v AGCOM Case C-390/09 [Case withdrawn from the docket] 
  • I.B. Case C-306/09 [2010] ECR I-10341, CJEU 
  • Carphone Warehouse v Ofcom [2010] CAT 26 and 27
  • Tsakouridis v Land Baden-Wurttemburg Case C-145/09 [2010] ECR I-11979
  • Zhejiang Aokang Shoes Co Ltd v Council [2010] ECR-II 747, GCEU
  • Staatssecretaris van Financiën v X Case C-423/09 [2010] ECR I-10821 
  • Gaz de France v Bundeszentralamt für Steuern [2009] ECR I-9225, CJEU
  • Siebrand v Staatssecretaris van Financiën [2009] ECR I-3941, CJEU 
  • R v Martin George and others (Southwark Crown Court, Owen J, 24/7/09)
  • Reliance Industries v Commission [2008] ECR II-2399, GCEU
  • Norris v United States [2008] 1 A.C. 920, HL (for intervener)
  • Asda Stores Ltd v HMRC [2007] ECR I-11223
  • Thomson and Vestel v Administration des douanes et des droits indirect [2007] ECR I-2049, CJEU 
  • Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd v HM Revenue and Customs [2006] EWCA Civ 772, CA 
  • The Consumers’ Association v JJB Sports plc [Hearing before the CAT]
  • Loutchansky v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2005] EWHC 1779 (Admin) Moses J 
  • Internationaler Tierschutz-fonds v Commission Judgment of the GCEU dated 30 November 2004; The Times, 20 December 2004 
  • Ikea Wholesale Limited v Commissioners of Customs and Excise [2004] EWHC 1758 (Ch), [2004] 3 C.M.L.R. 28, Lightman J 
  • Bacardi-Martini v Television Français 1 [2004] ECR I-6613, CJEU 
  • Commission v France [2004] ECR I-6569, CJEU 
  • Danmarks Rederiforening v Lo Landsorganisationen Sverige [2004] ECR I-1417, CJEU
  • Freistaat Bayern v Jan Blijdenstein [2004] ECR I-981, CJEU 
  • Days Medical Aids Limited v Pihsiang Manufacturing [2004] EWHC 44 (Comm) Judgment of Langley J., dated 29 January 2004. Article 101 TFEU.
  • Musashi Autoparts Europe Ltd v Commissioners of Customs and Excise [2003] EWCA Civ 1738, [2004] S.T.C. 220, CA on appeal from Lightman J. VAT 
  • Bacardi-Martini and another v Newcastle United F.C. Limited [2003] E.C.R. I-905, CJEU 
  • R v Monopolies and Mergers Commission and another ex parte Milk Marque Limited [2003] ECR I-7975, CJEU
  • Gemeente Steenbergen v Baten [2002] ECR I-10527, CJEU 
  • Naraine v Hoverspeed Limited [2000] Eu. L.R. 321, CA
  • R v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry ex parte Greenpeace Limited [2000] 2 C.M.L.R. 94; [2000] Eu. L.R. 196, DC
  • R v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Hoverspeed Ltd [1999] Eu.L.R. 595, DC

Tax

  • British Disabled Flying Association v HMRC [2013] UKUT 162 (TCC)
  • R (Totel Ltd) v HMRC [2012] EWCA Civ 1401, CA; [2011] EWHC 652 (Admin), Simon J.
  • Lycatel v HMRC [2012] UKFTT (no final decision: assessments withdrawn). 
  • El Nagy Trading v HMRC [2012] UKFTT 269 (TC)
  • British Telecommunications plc v Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills [2012] EWCA Civ 232, CA 
  • Truebell v HMRC [2011] UKFTT 370 (TC). 
  • Paymex v HMRC [2011] UKFTT 350 (TC)
  • Denwire v HM Revenue & Customs [2011] UKUT 0000 (Judge Bishopp). 
  • National Housebuilding Council v HM Revenue & Customs [2010] UKFTT 326 (TC), Sir Stephen Oliver QC.
  • Mobilx Ltd and others v HM Revenue and Customs [2010] EWCA Civ 517, CA 
  • R (Austin) v Portsmouth CC [2009] EWHC 322 (Admin), Geraldine Andrews QC
  • HM Revenue & Customs v Flir Systems AB [2009] EWHC 82 (Ch), Henderson J.
  • HM Revenue & Customs v Livewire Ltd and Olympia Technologies Ltd [2009] EWHC 15 (Ch), Lewison J
  • Commissioners of Customs and Excise v RSPCA [2007] EWHC 422 (Ch), Lawrence Collins J.
  • Commissioners of Customs and Excise v Elm Milk Ltd [2006] EWCA Civ 164, [2006] S.T.C. 792, CA
  • Commissioners of Customs and Excise v Euphony Limited [2003] EWHC 3008, [2004] S.T.C. 301, Hart J., Ch.D
  • Xansa Barclaycard Partnership v Commissioners of Customs and Excise 
  • West Devon Borough Council v Commissioners of Customs and Excise [2001] STC 1282, Ch. D
  • Lindsay v Commissioners of Customs and Excise [2001] V. & D.R. 219 

Public & Regulatory

  • Bancoult (3) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs [2012] EWHC 3281 (Admin)
  • The Chagos Islanders Refugees Group v ICO [FTT (GRC): EA/2011/0300]
  • Hizb-ut Tahrir v Germany [App No 31098/08] 
  • R (Totel Ltd) v HMRC [2012] EWCA Civ 1401, CA; [2011] EWHC 652 (Admin), Simon J. 
  • Golebiewska v United Kingdom App No 43153/08 
  • R (oao Maya Evans) v Secretary of State for Defence [2010] EWHC 1445 (Admin) 
  • Marrion, Burke & Scott v Board of Medical Referees [2009] EWCA 450, CA; [2008] EWHC 1075 (Admin) 
  • R (oao Bancoult) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs [2008] UKHL 61, HL 
  • Sanders v Kingston (Ethical Standards Officer) [2005] EWHC 1145 (Admin) [2005] B.L.G.R. 719, Wilkie J 
  • R (oao Broadbent) v The Parole Board [2005] EWHC 1207, The Times, 22 June 2005, Stanley Burnton J 
  • Chagos Islanders v Attorney General [2004] EWCA 997, CA, judgment dated 22 July 2004, Times, September 21, 2004 
  • Quirk v Burton Hospitals NHS Trust and the National Health Service Pensions Agency [2002] EWCA Civ 149, [2002] 1 C.M.L.R. 47
  • R v Deputy Controller of Buckley Hall Prison Ex p. Thomas [2000] C.O.D. 491, QBD Judicial review of disciplinary decision in prison.
  • R v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Johnson [1999] Q.B. 1174; [1998] 4 All ER 635, DC

Civil Liberties & Human Rights

  • Dereci v Austria Case C-256/11 [2011] ECR I-0000, CJEU 
  • P1 v SSHD [Pending case before SIAC] 
  • Abid Naseer and others v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2010] UKSIAC 77/09
  • LO v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2010] UKSIAC 73/2009 
  • XC v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] UKSIAC 77, SIAC 
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department v Abu Rideh [2008] EWHC 1993 (Admin); [2008] EWHC 2019 (Admin). Ouseley J
  • CN (Burundi) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWCA Civ 587,
  • MS (Iran) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWCA Civ 271, CA 
  • N v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2006] EWCA Civ 299, CA 
  • KK v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2005] EWCA Civ 1082, CA 
  • J v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2005] EWCA Civ 629, [2005] Imm. A.R. 409, CA
  • Solonina v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2005] EWCA Civ 469, CA 
  • El-Rifai v Secretary of State for the Home Department The Times, 1 March 2005, CA
  • Erdogan v Secretary of State for the Home Department Judgment of the Court of Appeal dated 26 October 2004, LTL 27/10/2004

Telecommunications

  • Ministry of Sound v British Telecommunications plc (Master Winegarten)
  • Carphone Warehouse v Ofcom [2010] CAT 26 and 27
  • RTI v AGCOM Case C-390/09 [Case withdrawn]
  • Bacardi-Martini v Television Français 1 [2004] ECR I-6613, CJEU 

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