I am thrilled to be taking silk. I am very grateful for the amazing array of leaders, juniors, colleagues and clients who have helped me throughout my career. I am looking forward to leading cases in the UK and beyond, and to discussing the outcome of those cases with my wonderful students. It is a joy and a privilege for me to teach so many intelligent and interesting LLM students at King’s.
Professor David Bailey, Professor of Practice in Competition Law
23 March 2026
Professor David Bailey sworn in as King's Counsel in Parliament
At a ceremony in Westminster Hall on 23 March, Professor David Bailey was formally sworn in and appointed as King’s Counsel.
The title of King’s Counsel is awarded to those who have demonstrated exceptional skill and expertise in the conduct of advocacy. Appointments are made by His Majesty on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, who is supported by an independent Selection Panel that reviews all applications and makes recommendations.
Professor David Bailey, a Professor of Practice in Competition Law at The Dickson Poon School of Law, is a barrister and the co-author (with Emeritus Professor Richard Whish KC (Hon.) of the book Competition Law. Professor Bailey has taught postgraduate courses on competition law at the Law School every year since 2003, having previously taught undergraduate property and contract law at King’s since 2001.
Alongside his academic work, Professor Bailey is a practising barrister qualified in England and Wales and in Ireland, and he is also admitted as an attorney in New York. Since 2015, he has served as Standing Counsel to the UK Competition and Markets Authority, appearing in some of its most important and high-profile cases. David has also acted for the European Commission, the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Competition Commission of Singapore, the Competition Commission of Mauritius and the Hong Kong Competition Commission.
His contributions to the field have been widely recognised. He won the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards as Competition Junior of the Year in 2020 and again in 2023. He was the only junior ranked as “Star Individual” in competition law in Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2026. He also received the King’s Education Award for Sustained Excellence in 2019.
A heartfelt congratulations to David on behalf of everyone at The Dickson Poon School of Law. It is fantastic to see David’s extensive professional contributions recognised at the highest level, and his appointment as KC is a testament to his tremendous talent and dedication.
Professor Dan Hunter, Executive Dean, The Dickson Poon School of Law
The Lord Chancellor, The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, presided over the appointment ceremony in Westminster Hall and formally appointed 96 barristers and eight new Honorary King’s Counsel (KC Honoris Causa).
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Professor of Practice in Competition Law