Slaughters taps Brussels lawyer to lead new digital regulation push

Slaughter and May has launched a dedicated digital regulation practice, consolidating expertise from across its competition, data, IP and technology teams.

The firm said the new practice was a response to client demand for specialist digital regulation advice and to “a major shift towards greater regulation of digital markets globally.”

Practice formation

Slaughters has named Brussels-based lawyer Will Manley as head of digital regulation. He was most recently senior counsel and has been at the firm for more than a decade, having joined as a trainee.

Manley is a regulatory specialist focused on digital markets. He was part of the Slaughters team that advised Activision Blizzard on securing CMA clearance for its blockbuster takeover by Microsoft in 2023.

Jordan Ellison, partner and co-head of the firm’s technology group, called the formation of the practice a “natural step” and noted major regimes coming into force including the EU’s AI Act and stronger enforcement of online rules in Europe and the UK.

Enforcement era

For firms advising major tech clients, digital regulation is no longer confined to merger clearances or discrete advisory mandates. A wave of new UK and EU legislation has created ongoing compliance exposure, and the risk of significant penalties.

The European Commission has already opened proceedings and issued early decisions under both the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act which both came into full effect in 2024.

In the UK, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act - Britain’s answer to the EU’s Digital Markets Act - gives the CMA fining powers of up to 10% of a company’s global turnover.