Chris Townley

Professor Chris Townley is a leading academic in International Competition Law & Regulation at King’s College London, based in The Dickson Poon School of Law. He joined King’s in 2007, following roles as a solicitor at Clifford Chance LLP and Principal Case Officer at the Office of Fair Trading. His research focuses on the intersection of competition law with environmental, cultural, and EU constitutional policy, particularly examining the International Competition Network (ICN). He has advised global institutions including the Egyptian Competition Authority, NHS, and Pakistan Competition Commission.

Education: PhD (Doctor of Laws) from the European University Institute (2004), LLM from College of Europe (1994), and LLB from Durham University (1993).

Research interests include institutional power dynamics in regulatory networks, digital tools for citizen engagement, and the legitimacy of global competition frameworks. Recent articles analyze ICN reform, digital regulatory tools, and non-state actor influence in global competition governance. His work emphasizes the political and legal dimensions of competition policy.

Advising and grants: Collaborations with international bodies like the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (Columbia) and Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission. Projects include the BAARA initiative exploring competition policy goals in new jurisdictions. Active in transnational legal research through the Centre of European Law and Transnational Law Institute.