David Evans has had considerable experience of automotive, commercial and UK/EU competition law in particular, regarding himself as practical rather than academic.

After fulfilling legal roles in the fields of litigation, landlord and tenant and competition/commercial business, he joined the Retail Motor Industry Federation, the principal trade association for motor retailers and fuel station operators in the UK, to lead an in-house team of lawyers he established to provide advice and support in all aspects of the business activities of its members, as well as to meet the legal needs of the Federation itself. This included contract, consumer, restrictive trade practices, transport and employment law. Advice and support was provided in many Court cases in the lower and higher Courts.

He was a member of the Federation’s Board of Directors and held a number of responsible positions in the Federation, notably, Legal Director, Company Secretary and Chief Executive until his retirement at the end of 2002.

He has extensive experience in advising on dealer contracts and discussions with UK Government Ministers and officials, Commissioners and officials of the European Commission and members of the European Parliament on legislation, or impending legislation, in particular, competition law especially the Block Exemption Regulations and Directives as they affect the automotive sector.

As the Federation’s staff representative to the European Council for Motor Trades and Repairs (CECRA) for many years, he was directly involved in discussions and lobbying as regards the first and subsequent Block Exemption Regulations and other Directives as Executive Vice President and then President.

He is the immediate Past President of CECRA and continues to be a member of its Executive Bureau which is involved in the formulation of strategy and argument on the working of the current Block Exemption Regulation for the automotive sector, and what should follow on when it expires in 2010.

Apart from active involvement with CECRA, he is a participating member of the European Distribution Lawyers group (EDL) of which he is a founder member.

In addition, he is a member of two UK assessment panels overseeing compliance with the motor industry self regulating Codes of Practice accepted by the Government.