Partner

Charles Livingstone

Charles leads Brodies' competition law practice, supporting clients on sensitive and strategically important matters including obtaining merger clearance for major M&A projects, investigating potential competition breaches, responding to dawn raids and acting in competition litigation. He also advises private and public sector clients on State aid and public procurement, in both contentious and non-contentious scenarios.

Charles also supports commercial, public sector, charitable and individual clients on public law issues including judicial review, human rights, information law, charity law and public authority powers and duties. He advises clients on constitutional matters, such as the limits on the Scottish Parliament’s powers, and is the co-head of Brodies' Brexit Advisory Group. He also has significant experience of drafting legislation, including Acts of the Scottish Parliament. Charles is an experienced litigator, having handled major cases in courts up to the UK Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Charles also heads up Brodies' cross-practice food & drink sector group.

Living Brodies' values

Clients appreciate Charles's legal insight, collaborative approach and tenacious character. He takes care to ensure that technical and complex legal issues are explained clearly.

Highlights

Supported a client dealing with a European Commission dawn raid of the client's Scottish premises.
Secured merger clearance for Abellio's takeover of the East Midlands rail franchise.
Led the Scotch Whisky Association's challenge to Scotland's alcohol minimum pricing legislation, in the CJEU and Supreme Court.

Rankings

Ranked Band 1 for Competition Law by Chambers UK 2024 and as a Leading Individual for EU & Competition by Legal 500 UK 2024.
Identified as a 'Leading Individual' (Parliamentary & Public Affairs) by Legal 500 UK 2024.
Ranked Band 1 for Administrative & Public Law and ranked band 2 for Parliamentary & Public Affairs by Chambers UK 2024.

Charles Livingstone is a highly skilled and knowledgeable litigator who is not just technically very strong but marries that expertise with a very good client manner and a strong work ethic.

Chambers UK 2025

Charles Livingstone's knowledge is exceptional on competition matters and the relevant law. He is able to distill this and convey it to an audience that is not legally qualified.

Chambers UK 2025

Charles is very strategic in his thinking and offers solutions we hadn't considered. He can come up with business-focused solutions, and doesn't just look at things from a legal angle.

Chambers UK 2025

Charles Livingstone really knows his stuff and his attention to detail is second to none. He explains complex legal issues in a simple, straightforward manner and is able to tailor the advice given to be realistic and workable for our business.

Chambers UK 2024