Simon Taylor

Antitrust partner, advising corporate and public sector bodies on EU and competition law, involving merger control, compliance and cartels, competition litigation, sectoral investigations, state aid and public procurement. Specific expertise in communications, rail, construction, water and health.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7664 0382

Email: simon_taylor@wragge.com

Best brains in ...

Helping clients getting difficult deals through the competition authorities. Providing strategic advice to Government bodies on public procurement and competition policy. Problem solving.

Highlight of your career so far?

Advising the Department of Health Commercial Directorate on the procurement and competition law implications of opening up the provision of National Health Service (NHS) clinical services to competition from the independent sector.

Most challenging job you've ever done?

The Department of Health work. It involved providing advice covering the legal and practical challenges presented by procurement law principles over a number of tenders. NHS services have traditionally been within the public sector umbrella so opening these up to competition required an innovative approach and a firm grasp on public policy and NHS specific considerations.

What about outside the UK?

We regularly advise clients on global transactions, involving possible filing requirements in dozens of jurisdictions worldwide. Filings are often required in Germany, where we work closely with our relationship firm Graf von Westphalen. Our Brussels office comes in handy when EU filings are required.

What's your definition of going the extra mile?

Understanding the client's business and its challenges and opportunities so our advice can be as relevant and useful as possible. This generally doesn't mean working through the night. It means working efficiently and productively to give clients a competitive edge.

Best example of a creative legal solution?

I devised a short listing methodology for a client who wished to allocate a group of pre-qualified bidders to a series of tendered schemes in order to achieve certain defined public policy objectives. It was more mathematical than legal but seemed to work.

When have you ever given a client a real competitive edge?

Clearing the antitrust hurdles as effectively and economically as possible allowing the client to achieve its commercial objectives. The 'win' in avoiding a Phase II referral of difficult merger requires a close understanding of the client's market, advocacy and above all persistence.

What's your single greatest contribution to Wragge & Co's corporate responsibility?

Clearing a garden for an inner city comprehensive - it was a real team effort - a bunch of lawyers in their gardening gear - it was a hot day and the kids loved it!

What's been written or said about you that you're most proud of?

'[Wragge & Co] is particularly strong in the health sector, with Simon Taylor recognised for his 'excellent technical skills' and 'innovative thinking'. - Legal 500