Edward Bouckley
- Experience
Having qualified as a Solicitor in March 2016, Edward joined Birketts in 2017. He is a Senior Associate in our Commercial and Technology Team based in our Norwich office. He is also a member of the firm’s Retail Team, Charities Team and Education Team.
Edward is a specialist commercial Lawyer who advises on a wide range of commercial agreements for business across a number of sectors. Edward’s general commercial work includes advising on supply, distribution and agency agreements (both domestic and cross-border), non-disclosure agreements, facilities management agreements, outsourcing agreements and contractual joint ventures.
In addition, Edward is recognised as a commercial contracts specialist within the charity and social enterprise sector and is frequently in demand to speak at conferences and events (having spoken at conferences organised by Hospice UK and the Institute of Fundraising). Edward has advised a number of high-profile charities in respect of general commercial contracts, the setting-up of e-commerce platforms as well as in connection with commercial participation and professional fundraising agreements. Edward was part of the team that helped set up the UK Cyber Security Council.
Consumer regulation
Consumer Regulation
As East Anglia’s leading consumer law practitioner, Edward advises a broad spectrum of local, national and international businesses and organisations on their consumer facing operations within the UK. Edward provides clear and practical advice on what is a complex area of law. Recently, Edward has advised:
- independent schools in respect of their parent contract, including (in a number of cases) the drafting and rolling out of entirely new contracts;
- retail businesses on their online terms and conditions of sale, including detailed advice on the structuring of the customer journey to ensure the business provides its customers with the legally required information at the right time;
- non-UK retail business on their UK-based in-store policies;
- a large motor retailer group in respect of its on-premises and distance sales contracts; and
- fee-paying educational establishments on the level of fees chargeable in light of COVID-19 related shutdowns and reduction in the provision of educational services.
Competition regulation
In addition to advising on consumer regulation, Edward also specialises in competition law. Edward has a particular expertise in advising businesses on their supply chains, including the setting-up of distribution networks both with-in the UK and internationally. In addition, Edward has significant experience advising businesses in ensuring their operations are, and remain, lawful. Edward has recently advised:
- an international food manufacturer in connection with the exclusive appointments of distributors within the UK and Republic of Ireland;
- the UK subsidiary of a Japanese vehicle manufacturer in respect of the re-organisation of its UK distribution network;
- an innovative health technology company in respect of the appointment, world-wide, of distributors of DNA testing kits;
- a product warranty supplier in connection with the outsourcing of operations to South Africa;
- numerous musical instrument manufacturers on their UK and EU distribution models; and
- an EU based manufacturer of high-end consumer audio in connection with the establishment of a UK distribution centre.
In addition, Edward advised a number of businesses involved in the high-profile Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into the music instrument industry including liaising with the CMA, assessing business operations to ensure compliance, as well as the structuring and putting in place of competition law compliance policies.
Training
Edward frequently delivers training to business and organisations on general commercial contract law as well as on consumer and competition regulation.
Before joining Birketts, Edward studied music at the University of Edinburgh. He then completed the Graduate Diploma of Law at the University of East Anglia followed by the Legal Practice Course at Leicester’s De Montfort University.
Outside of work, Edward remains an active musician and is frequently in demand as an organist in Norwich as well as further afield.
