“I have always enjoyed problem-solving. All sorts of tricky legal problems arise when governments and markets come into contact (or conflict) and I relish the challenge of helping my clients – both regulators and market players – to solve them.”

Gordon is a leading expert on UK public and administrative law, and on UK and EU competition law. His clients include regulatory bodies, regulated entities, public authorities and other stakeholders.

He has a particular emphasis on the role and functioning of markets in regulated sectors in the UK and overseas (such as the energy and water industries), and in connection with the provision of key public services.

Areas of practice include:

Sector experience includes:

Admitted

1992: Scotland
2019: Republic of Ireland
2019: England and Wales

Relevant experience

Advising the Single Electricity Market Committee on judicial review challenges in Ireland and Northern Ireland brought in relation to the qualification of bidders for the T-4 2028/29 capacity auction for the Single Electricity Market.

Advising developers of wind farm projects on the application of UK and EU competition law to collaboration among them in relation to the development of projects seeking revenue support through the GB feed in tariff regime.

Advising public bodies on the application of the UK Subsidy Control Act to the development of subsidy schemes, and to the award of subsidy designed to support the growth of the offshore renewable industry in Scotland.

Advising international sports regulatory bodies on the application of UK and EU competition law to the framing of rules, such as those relating to equipment standards and player transfer, and to the managing of conflicts of interest where such bodies engage in commercial activity.

Advising trade associations across various sectors (such as energy and sport) on UK and EU competition law compliance in relation to the framing of membership rules and conditions and the defence of challenges to such rules.

Advising both regulators and regulated players on the application of UK and EU rules on market manipulation, principally in regulated energy markets.

Advising Scottish Sea Farms Limited in relation to proceedings before the Competition Appeal Tribunal and the High Court involving collective proceedings and group actions.

Advising the Water Industry Commission for Scotland on successive price control reviews of Scottish Water, and also on the regulation of the retail market for non-household water and sewerage services in Scotland.

Advising a leading international energy utility on the Competition and Market Authority’s market investigation into the GB energy supply market, and on the reforms introduced in light of the CMA’s report.

Advising various market players on cases involving the abuse of dominant market positions in various sectors (notably network utilities and transport), such as those involving abusive pricing and other exclusionary abuses.

“Gordon Downie is excellent and brings highly experienced leadership. He has unique knowledge of EU and UK competition and regulatory law.”

Legal 500 (2024)

Further testimonials

“Gordon Downie was quick to grasp the brief and cut through to the most important questions. He was responsive and pragmatic in tight timescales and his sense of humour also helped in the circumstances.”

Chambers (2024)

“We sincerely appreciate his responsiveness, user-friendliness and can-do attitude.”

Chambers (2024)

“When it comes to the legal intricacies, he is all over them. He has a forensic eye, both to the legal issues and the underlying facts, and is a really detail-oriented person.”

Chambers (2024)

“Gordon is professional, organised and diligent. He is a pleasure to deal with.”

Chambers (2024)

“Gordon Downie leads from the front and has huge experience in competition and regulatory matters, with unparalleled knowledge of the energy markets.”

Legal 500 (2022)

“Gordon Downie has stand out expertise and attention to detail; his client handling skills are super. Easy access and fast, considered responses are valuable qualities.”

Legal 500 (2021)