Region Area

Barristers

Michael Blair KC

Michael Blair KC

Position

Queen’s Counsel in independent practice, specialising in financial services.

Career

Called Middle Temple 1965 (bencher 1995; treasurer 2008); Lord Chancellor’s Department 1966-87 (under secretary 1982-87); circuit administrator, Midland and Oxford Circuit 1982-86; head Courts and Legal Services Group 1986-87; general counsel Securities and Investments Board 1987-98; general counsel to the Financial Services Authority 1998-2000; elected member General Council of the Bar 1988-98; member, General Management Committee of the Bar Council 1989-98; chairman Professional Standards Committee of the Bar Council 1994; chairman Bar Association for Commerce, Finance and Industry 1990-91, vice-president 1993 to date; member Council of Legal Education 1992-97; chairman Bar Conference 1993; treasurer of the Bar Council 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998; Queen’s Counsel Honoris Causa, 1996; member, Competition Appeal Tribunal 2000 to date; director Financial Services Compensation Scheme 2000-05; chairman, Personal Investment Authority 2000-02; chairman, Investment Management Regulatory Organisation 2000-02; chairman, Securities and Futures Authority 2001-02; chairman, Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration 2001-07; president Guernsey Financial Services Tribunal 2002-09; board member, Dubai Financial Services Authority 2003-13; chairman, SWX Europe Ltd (the London Swiss Equities Exchange) 2008 to 2009; board member Chicago Mercantile Exchange Europe Limited 2013 to date.

Languages

French.

Memberships

Member Competition Appeal Tribunal; Bencher, Honourable Society of the Middle Temple.

Education

Rugby School; Clare College, Cambridge (1962 MA; 1965 LLM); Yale University, USA (1964 MA).

Leisure

Theatre, music, skiing (cross-country); member Athenaeum Club.

Mentions