“Natasha is extremely approachable and has an amazing work ethic. I am looking forward to watching the development of her career at the Bar.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Natasha is a brilliant junior. Her written submissions are sharp, concise and convincing, and she has an excellent way with clients.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Working with Natasha is a pleasure; she is efficient, quick and well-prepared.”
Legal 500, 2022
Natasha has a broad practice covering all aspects of public, regulatory and administrative law, competition, commercial, employment and sports law. She is currently instructed in several high profile judicial reviews, has acted in a number of appeals before the Supreme Court, and regularly appears in appeals before the Competition and Markets Authority and Competition Appeals Tribunal.
Natasha's academic background is in economics and law. She holds a BCL, MPhil and DPhil in Law from the University of Oxford and first class undergraduate degrees from the University of Sydney. Prior to coming to the Bar, Natasha spent several years as a lecturer in law at the University of Oxford, King's College London and the Faculté Libre du Droit Paris. She has also previously worked as a consultant on human rights issues for various United Nations agencies and NGOs and practised as a solicitor in Australia.
Natasha is a member of the Attorney General’s C Panel of Counsel.
Natasha is recognised by Legal 500 as a "rising star". Recent comments include:
Previous comments include:
Natasha practises in all areas of public and administrative law.
In addition to her academic work on public law and human rights, Natasha has worked on a number of public and regulatory law cases before the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, Competition and Markets Authority and Competition Appeals Tribunal, for both claimants and respondents.
Natasha is a member of the Attorney General’s C Panel of Counsel.
“Natasha is extremely approachable and has an amazing work ethic. I am looking forward to watching the development of her career at the Bar.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Natasha is a brilliant junior. Her written submissions are sharp, concise and convincing, and she has an excellent way with clients.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
Acted for the Claimant in an application for judicial review of the introduction of voter identification requirements in local government elections (led by Anthony Peto KC in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and by Michael Fordham KC, as he then was, at first instance).
Acting for the BBC as Interested Party in a judicial review of Ofcom's decision not to require a Public Interest Test prior to launching the Radio 1 Dance online stream (led by Monica Carss-Frisk KC).
Acting for the Claimants in this judicial review challenge to the Prime Minister’s decision not to order an independent judge-led inquiry into UK complicity in torture and rendition (led by Ben Jaffey QC). Judgment was handed down by the Divisional Court on a preliminary issue (the appropriate standard of disclosure in closed material proceedings concerning national security) and an application for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal is outstanding. The substantive hearing is listed in January 2020.
Advising a regulatory body on competition law constraints upon its commercial activities (led by Jessica Boyd KC).
Acted for GEMA in the Energy Licence Modification Appeals before the CMA, led by Gerry Facenna KC.
Acted for the claimant NGO in a judicial review challenge to the failure to investigate allegations of Russian interference in UK democratic elections.
Acting for the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority as the Interested Party in a challenge to the CMA's decision in the Energy Licence Modification Appeals (with Daniel Cashman). Decision under appeal.
Acted for the successful Defendant in an application for judicial review of Ofwat's compliance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (led by Hanif Mussa KC).
Advising techUK and some of its member entities on data protection obligations and the legal gateways to data sharing, including in relation to the Data Protection Acts and the GDPR
Acted for the Claimant, Mr Coughlan, in a judicial review of the government’s pilot schemes for voter identification in the May 2019 local government elections. The Claimant contended that the voter ID scheme was ultra vires the Representation of the People Act 2000 and did not reflect the constitutional significance of the right to vote. Natasha was led by Michael Fordham QC (as he then was) in the High Court proceedings in March 2019, and by Anthony Peto QC in the Court of Appeal in April 2020. An application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court remains outstanding.
Acted for the claimant in this application for judicial review of the decision of the SFO to suspend an independent investigation (with Michael Fordham QC, Jason Pobjoy and Hollie Higgins).
Natasha is instructed (led by Ben Jaffey QC) to act for Reprieve, David Davis MP and Dan Jarvis MP in an application for judicial review of the Government's decision not to order an independent judge-led inquiry into UK complicity into torture and rendition post 9/11.
Acted for the Defendant (led by David Pievsky) in an application for judicial review of the Secretary of State's decision to transfer governance from the claimant Fire Authorities to the local Police and Crime Commissioners. The Court found in favour of the Defendants and refused permission to appeal.
Acted for the Claimant in an application for judicial review of a proposal for local government reorganisation in Dorset under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.
Application for judicial review of a decision of the FSCS denying compensation to victims of mis-selling of ARM bonds (assisting Ben Jaffey QC)
(Led by Andrew Green QC) advised a prospective commercial claimant on the prospects of successfully challenging a determination of the Financial Ombudsman Service
Competition Appeal Tribunal trial concerning BT's challenge to Ofcom's business connectivity market review (assisting Tristan Jones, Mark Vinall and Daniel Cashman).
Challenge to the lawfulness of the Security Services' collection and retention of bulk data (assisting Thomas de la Mare QC, Ben Jaffey QC and Daniel Cashman)
Trial of preliminary issue as to whether a railway training accreditation body is an "undertaking" for the purposes of s 18 of the Competition Act 1998 (assisting Tristan Jones)
Group action by consumer who purchased or leased vehicles manufactured by VW, Audi, Škoda and SEAT which contained "defeat devices" to reduce NOx emissions during engine testing (assisting Thomas de la Mare QC and Ben Jaffey QC)
Successfully defended Camelot UK Ltd (the administrator of the National Lottery) in a claim for judicial review.
Assisting on potential claims against the Secretary of State for Health in respect of the conduct of the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency.
Natasha has a busy competition law practice which includes follow-on and standalone claims in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Competition Appeals Tribunal, as well as advisory work.
Acting for JPMorgan Chase 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 Daniel Beard KC).
Acted for GEMA in the Energy Licence Modification Appeals before the CMA, led by Gerry Facenna KC.
Acting for JPMorgan Chase in proposed collective proceedings before the Competition Appeal Tribunal arising out of European Commission decisions concerning conduct in FX markets (led by Sarah Ford KC).
Advising a regulatory body on competition law constraints upon its commercial activities (led by Jessica Boyd KC).
Advising on and acting in an application for an opt-out collective proceedings order in the Competition Appeals Tribunal in a high value and complex claim.
Competition Appeal Tribunal trial concerning BT's challenge to Ofcom's business connectivity market review (assisting Tristan Jones, Mark Vinall and Daniel Cashman).
Acting for the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority as the Interested Party in a challenge to the CMA's decision in the Energy Licence Modification Appeals (with Daniel Cashman). Decision under appeal.
Acting for the BBC as Interested Party in a judicial review of Ofcom's decision not to require a Public Interest Test prior to launching the Radio 1 Dance online stream (led by Monica Carss-Frisk KC).
Follow-on damages claim by purchasers of automobile bearings after the European Commission imposed a €953 million fine in respect of a 7-year cartel (assisting Thomas de la Mare QC, Naina Patel, Tristan Jones and Celia Rooney)
Trial of preliminary issue as to whether a railway training accreditation body is an "undertaking" for the purposes of s 18 of the Competition Act 1998 (assisting Tristan Jones)
Competition damages claim relating to the setting of interchange fees, including applicable law and limitation issues (assisting Kieron Beal QC and Tristan Jones)
Natasha accepts instructions in all areas of commercial litigation. She has acted in a wide range of complex and high-value commercial disputes. She has particular expertise in commercial claims with a regulatory and/or administrative law angle.
Acting for JPMorgan Chase 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 Daniel Beard KC).
Acted for the First Defendant, ENRC in a high-profile claim brought by a partner of Dechert LLP. The claim concerned alleged surveillance carried out by the Second Defendant, Diligence International as part of an investigation into alleged wrongdoing by the partner during the period in which he was retained by ENRC (with Tom de la Mare KC and Daniel Burgess)
Acting for the First Defendant, ENRC in a high-profile claim brought by a partner of Dechert LLP. The claim concerns alleged surveillance carried out by the Second Defendant, Diligence International as part of an investigation into alleged wrongdoing by the partner during the period in which he was retained by ENRC.
Acting for JPMorgan Chase in proposed collective proceedings before the Competition Appeal Tribunal arising out of European Commission decisions concerning conduct in FX markets (led by Sarah Ford KC).
Natasha acted for the Defendant in this high value claim relating to alleged bribery of a foreign public official. Parallel investigation by the Serious Fraud Office. Natasha was led by Tony Peto QC and Peter Head.
Hearing in the Court of Appeal on the proper construction of pre-emption provisions in the articles of association of a private limited company (assisting Mark Vinall)
Group action by consumer who purchased or leased vehicles manufactured by VW, Audi, Škoda and SEAT which contained "defeat devices" to reduce NOx emissions during engine testing (assisting Thomas de la Mare QC and Ben Jaffey QC)
Claim concerning subordinated loans alleged to have been extinguished by operation of Russian law (assisting Andrew Green QC and Robert Weekes)
Arbitration hearing before the British Boxing Board of Control, raising issues relating to breach of contract and quantum of damages (assisting Robert Weekes).
$800m+ claim in the BVI Commercial Court concerning a joint venture in relation to various power generation and distribution assets in Russia (assisting Pushpinder Saini QC and Robert Weekes)
Claim for deceit and breach of warranty relating to a sale and purchase of a pharmaceutical company (assisting Robert Weekes)
Acted for the Defendant in a jurisdiction dispute on the applicability of the recast Brussels Regulation to flight compensation claims pursuant to EC Regulation 261/2004
Natasha accepts instructions in all areas of Chambers' civil liberties and human rights practice. She has appeared in a number of high profile judicial reviews for both claimants and respondents. She has worked on cases concerning human rights and civil liberties in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights.
Natasha has published widely on human rights and civil liberties, and taught human rights law at undergraduate and graduate levels at the University of Oxford from 2012-2016.
Natasha is a member of the Attorney General’s C Panel of Counsel.
Acted for the Claimant in an application for judicial review of the introduction of voter identification requirements in local government elections (led by Anthony Peto KC in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and by Michael Fordham KC, as he then was, at first instance).
Acting for a group of MPs in a challenge in the ECtHR concerning the obligation to investigate hostile state interference in UK democratic elections (with Richard Hermer KC, Ben Jaffey KC and Jason Pobjoy).
Acting pro bono on behalf of Ukraine in an inter-state case before the ECtHR concerning the Ukrainian Government's allegations of "human rights violations committed by the Russian Federation in its military operations on the territory of Ukraine since 24 February 2022"
Acted for Liberty (as intervener) in a case about the proper approach, in the context of a commercial dispute, to evidence which may have been obtained by torture (with Ben Jaffey QC and George Molyneaux).
Acted for the claimant NGO in a judicial review challenge to the failure to investigate allegations of Russian interference in UK democratic elections.
Acting for the Claimants in this judicial review challenge to the Prime Minister’s decision not to order an independent judge-led inquiry into UK complicity in torture and rendition (led by Ben Jaffey QC). Judgment was handed down by the Divisional Court on a preliminary issue (the appropriate standard of disclosure in closed material proceedings concerning national security) and an application for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal is outstanding. The substantive hearing is listed in January 2020.
Delivering training in Lebanon to two Lebanese Bar Associations on international and domestic law standards prohibiting torture and the role of human rights lawyers in upholding those standards (with Timothy Otty QC and Isabel Buchanan)
Natasha is instructed (led by Ben Jaffey QC) to act for Reprieve, David Davis MP and Dan Jarvis MP in an application for judicial review of the Government's decision not to order an independent judge-led inquiry into UK complicity into torture and rendition post 9/11.
Acting pro bono for the AIRE Centre, intervening in a case about whether refugees in the UK's sovereign base areas in Cyprus have the right to enter the metropolitan UK (with Mike Fordham QC, Katie O'Byrne and Natasha Simonsen).
Challenge to the lawfulness of the Security Services' collection and retention of bulk data (assisting Thomas de la Mare QC, Ben Jaffey QC and Daniel Cashman)
Claims by Libyan/Moroccan family against MI5 and MI6 for complicity in their unlawful abduction in Thailand, rendition to Libya, detention and torture (assisting Ben Jaffey QC)
Application to the Strasbourg Court challenging the compatibility of the Metropolitan Police's retention of personal information about peaceful protestors with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (assisting Ben Jaffey QC)
Appeal by a prisoner against the dismissal of his claims under Articles 3 and 8 ECHR and for disability discrimination in relation to sanitation arrangements in a high-security prison (assisting Ben Jaffey QC)
Natasha has a strong academic background in public international law. Since joining Chambers, she has worked on public international law issues in cases before the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
Natasha's doctoral thesis at the University of Oxford was on the definition of torture in public international law. She has worked as a consultant on public international law issues including the rights of the child, refugee law, and international humanitarian law.
Acting pro bono on behalf of Ukraine in an inter-state case before the ECtHR concerning the Ukrainian Government's allegations of "human rights violations committed by the Russian Federation in its military operations on the territory of Ukraine since 24 February 2022"
Acting for a group of MPs in a challenge in the ECtHR concerning the obligation to investigate hostile state interference in UK democratic elections (with Richard Hermer KC, Ben Jaffey KC and Jason Pobjoy).
Advising an international corporation working in responsible sourcing of natural resources on the legal effect of Security Council Resolutions (including e.g. in relation to conflict diamonds)
Delivering training in Lebanon to two Lebanese Bar Associations on international and domestic law standards prohibiting torture and the role of human rights lawyers in upholding those standards (with Timothy Otty QC and Isabel Buchanan)
Acting pro bono for the AIRE Centre, intervening in a case about whether refugees in the UK's sovereign base areas in Cyprus have the right to enter the metropolitan UK (with Mike Fordham QC, Katie O'Byrne and Natasha Simonsen).
Natasha is instructed (led by Ben Jaffey QC) to act for Reprieve, David Davis MP and Dan Jarvis MP in an application for judicial review of the Government's decision not to order an independent judge-led inquiry into UK complicity into torture and rendition post 9/11.
Claims by Libyan/Moroccan family against MI5 and MI6 for complicity in their unlawful abduction in Thailand, rendition to Libya, detention and torture (assisting Ben Jaffey QC)
Natasha accepts instructions on all aspects of employment law. She regularly appears in the Employment Tribunal and has acted for both claimants and defendants. She has experience of working on issues relating to sex, race and disability discrimination claims, as well as the issues raised by anonymity and confidentiality applications and proceedings in camera. During her pupillage, Natasha assisted Diya Sen Gupta QC with several high-profile trials in the Employment Tribunal and in the successful defence of an appeal in the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Acted for a party alleging constructive unfair dismissal, direct discrimination, discrimination arising from disability, victimisation and harassment against her former employer.
Unfair dismissal claim by former FX trader dismissed for disclosure of client confidential information, which came to light following the Forex Scandal (assisting Diya Sen Gupta)
Successfully defending an appeal against the Employment Tribunal's refusal to revise a judgment rejecting a claim for more than £6.4 million in damages for unfair dismissal (assisting Diya Sen Gupta)
Defending an application for damages for unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal by a former FX trader dismissed for sharing client confidential information (assisting Diya Sen Gupta)
Successfully defending an unfair dismissal claim by former FX trader dismissed for disclosure of client confidential information, which came to light following the Forex Scandal (assisting Paul Goulding QC and Diya Sen Gupta)
Natasha is building a strong practice in local government law and has advised a number of local authorities on issues such as local government reorganisation, consultation on governance changes, and other matters.
Natasha is a member of the Attorney General’s C Panel of Counsel.
Acted for the Claimant in an application for judicial review of a proposal for local government reorganisation in Dorset under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.
Natasha's sports law practise encompasses contract law, disciplinary matters, employment, tort law, data protection and competition claims.
“Working with Natasha is a pleasure; she is efficient, quick and well-prepared.”
Legal 500, 2022
An independent Panel of the IAAF Ethics Board partially upheld charges against the President of the UAE Athletics Federation and former World Athletics (previously IAAF) Council member, Ahmad Al Kamali. The Panel imposed a sanction upon Mr Al Kamali of a ban from the sport for 6 months, fined him €5,000 and ordered him to pay €15,000 in costs. Natasha acted as Legal Secretary to the Panel of the IAAF Ethics Board.
Advising a professional players’ sporting association on the implications of the GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 for athletes’ rights, including in relation to “wearables” generating personal data during sporting competitions.
Arbitration hearing before the British Boxing Board of Control, raising issues relating to breach of contract and quantum of damages (assisting Robert Weekes).
Natasha serves as one of three Legal Secretaries to the Ethics Board of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Natasha has worked on a number of matters with private international law aspects, including questions of jurisdiction, applicable law and limitation.
Claim concerning subordinated loans alleged to have been extinguished by operation of Russian law (assisting Andrew Green QC and Robert Weekes)
$800m+ claim in the BVI Commercial Court concerning a joint venture in relation to various power generation and distribution assets in Russia (assisting Pushpinder Saini QC and Robert Weekes)
Acted for the Defendant in a jurisdiction dispute on the applicability of the recast Brussels Regulation to flight compensation claims pursuant to EC Regulation 261/2004
Competition damages claim relating to the setting of interchange fees, including applicable law and limitation issues (assisting Kieron Beal QC and Tristan Jones)
Natasha has considerable experience advising on issues relating to data protection, freedom of information and privacy.
Acted for the First Defendant, ENRC in a high-profile claim brought by a partner of Dechert LLP. The claim concerned alleged surveillance carried out by the Second Defendant, Diligence International as part of an investigation into alleged wrongdoing by the partner during the period in which he was retained by ENRC (with Tom de la Mare KC and Daniel Burgess)
Acting for the First Defendant, ENRC in a high-profile claim brought by a partner of Dechert LLP. The claim concerns alleged surveillance carried out by the Second Defendant, Diligence International as part of an investigation into alleged wrongdoing by the partner during the period in which he was retained by ENRC.
Advising techUK and some of its member entities on data protection obligations and the legal gateways to data sharing, including in relation to the Data Protection Acts and the GDPR
Advising a professional players’ sporting association on the implications of the GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 for athletes’ rights, including in relation to “wearables” generating personal data during sporting competitions.
LLB (Distinction) (University of Sydney); BCL (Distinction) (Oxon); MPhil, DPhil (Oxon)
Simonsen N ‘Torture’ in Grote R, R Wolfrum and F Lachenmann (eds) Max Planck Encyclopaedia of Comparative Constitutional Law (OUP 2017) (forthcoming)
Lazarus L and N Simonsen ‘Judicial Review and Parliamentary Debate: Enriching the Doctrine of Due Deference', in Hunt M, H Hooper and P Yowell (eds) Redressing the Democratic Deficit on Human Rights (Hart 2015)
Simonsen N (2011) ‘“War on Terror”: The Oxford Amnesty Lectures 2006 (Book Review)’ (2011) European Human Rights Law Review 239
Chilton, F, Rathmall, A & Simonsen, N (2008) ‘Mergers and Acquisitions in Australia’ in Lachman, A (ed) Mergers and Acquisitions: A Practical Global Guide, Globe Business Publishing Ltd
Natasha completed a three-month internship at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Islamabad, Pakistan in 2008. She has also volunteered for refugee and homelessness charities in Australia and the UK, and in 2012 she and and a group of friends swam the English Channel to raise money for the Acid Survivors Foundation Pakistan.
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