Related services and key industries
Biography
Mark Mills is a public law, competition and regulatory lawyer based in London. His practice involves advising across the full range of regulatory interactions.
Mark brings significant experience from his time working in senior roles in different regulatory bodies. He spent more than 10 years working for the energy regulator Ofgem where he rose to the position of Deputy Legal Director. During this time, he was responsible for advising on and delivering work across Ofgem’s roles, including network regulation, wholesale markets and retail markets, as well as heat networks. This included leading Ofgem’s input into significant pieces of primary legislation, advising on policy decisions, conducting investigations and defending decisions in regulatory appeals and judicial review. Mark was recognised by The Lawyer as one of its “Hot 100” lawyers of 2022 in recognition of his contributions.
Mark has also worked in other regulators both in the UK and overseas. He was the Executive Director (Legal Services) at the Competition Commission of Hong Kong where he led the entire legal function in its work to enforce the region’s competition law. He has also worked at the Payment Systems Regulator and the Competition and Markets Authority in the UK. Mark has also engaged with other regulators and government bodies, particularly in Asia, including through his participation in the International Competition Network and when joining delegations on behalf of the UK’s foreign affairs and development departments.
Mark has also worked in the administrative and public law practice of another firm. He trained with another international law firm, working in their London and Brussels offices, and holds degrees in law from the University of Cambridge (LL.M) and University of Essex (LL.B).
Professional experience
Collapse all- LL.B Law, University of Essex, 2007
- LL.M Law (Commercial Law), Jesus College, University of Cambridge, 2008
- Legal Practice Course, BPP Law School, 2009
- Solicitor, qualified in England & Wales 2011
While at Ofgem, Mark acted on a number of significant regulatory matters for the energy sector including:
- Statutory appeal to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) of a modification to the charging arrangements for electricity generators; and on the subsequent judicial review of the CMA's determination.
- Judicial review of Ofgem's decision on the retail energy price cap; and a threatened judicial review of Ofgem's decision on the retail energy price cap for a later period.
- Judicial review of Ofgem's decision to change the charging arrangements for smaller embedded electricity generators, including defending application for an interim injunction brought at short notice.
- Insolvencies of energy suppliers, including on the applicable regulatory framework and advice on related strategic litigation including a successful out of hours application for a High Court declaration which was subsequently adopted in later insolvencies.
- Competition Act 1998 (CA98) investigations including an infringement decision relating to the retail energy market and an investigation relating wholesale electricity markets resolved via commitments.
- Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive Public Inquiry. Representing Ofgem in this statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005.
While at another firm, Mark acted for individuals, including company directors, on investigations under the CA 98 undertaken by the CMA and sector regulators.
While in Hong Kong, Mark acted on behalf of the regulator on investigations across a range of sectors including construction, transport and financial services.
- The Lawyer - Hot 100 Lawyers of 2022
Co-author, Guide to Energy Market Manipulation, Global Competition Review, (2018)
Co-author, “Regulating for a green, fair future – Ofgem’s perspective”, CCLS Energy and Climate Change Law Institute Review, Issue 3 (October 2021).
Insights
Facilitating investment in long duration energy storage
Publication | October 18, 2024