Robert accepts instructions in Civil, Employment, Immigration and Court of Protection Law. He joined Chambers in September 2015 following the successful completion of his pupillage. He has experience in all stages of litigation from advisory work at the very outset to multi-day final hearings.
He is appointed to the âB Panelâ of the Welsh Government Panel of Approved Counsel and was recently instructed to advise upon the consequential impact of the implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. He is listed as a Leading Junior Tier 2 by the Legal 500 in Immigration Law being described as:
âAn excellent barrister with a thoughtful and measured approach to casesâ.
In his earlier years at the Bar, Robert was appointed to the Attorney Generalâs Panel of âJunior Juniorâ Counsel to the Crown and also the Welsh Government Junior Barrister Public Law Scheme, enabling him to undertake a variety of instructions in public law work.
In 2018 Robert was selected by the Inns of Court to undertake a Pegasus Scholarship in Wellington, New Zealand. For three months he worked within the Governmental Department of Crown Law, assisting in various legal areas.
He has also assisted in the training of the profession, having taught on the Bar Training Course at Cardiff Law School in a variety of civil and employment law topics as well as assisting the Bar Standards Board with the professional ethics examination undertaken by pupil barristers.
In 2023 he was appointed by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) as an Independent Appeals Panel Chairperson. In the role, Robert adjudicates upon appeals against decisions of the FAWâs Disciplinary Panel.
He was a pupil supervisor of Mari Watkins (2022-23).
Robert regularly advises and appears on a broad range of civil matters including contractual cases, personal injury, boundary disputes, committal proceedings and probate. He has conducted fast and multi-track hearings, regularly appearing in the Business and Property Courts as well as the High Court.
He has a particular knowledge of the recent housing law changes following the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. Through his appointment to the B Panel of the Welsh Government Panel of Approved Counsel, he was instructed to advise upon the consequential impact of this legislation and has since conducted seminars on this topic to lay clients, legal practitioners and members of the Judiciary.
Robertâs Civil practice covers:
- Housing Law
- Contract
- Property
- Wills, Trusts & Probate
- Personal Injury
Robert has a busy employment practice, regularly advising clients as well as appearing in multi-day hearings in the Employment Tribunal.
He has received instructions from individual employees and large trade unions as well as prominent employers. An example of matters in which he has been instructed include unfair dismissal, whistleblowing and discrimination pursuant to the Equality Act 2010.
He further has experience of conducting purely legal arguments before the Tribunal concerning jurisdiction and limitation.
Robert’s Employment practice covers:
- Unfair Dismissal (including constructive dismissal)
- Discrimination
- Wrongful Dismissal
In this practise area, Robert is a âLeading Junior, Tier 2â listed on the Legal 500. He has developed a wide-ranging immigration practice, frequently appearing in the Immigration Tribunal for appeal hearings and bail applications, for either the Appellant or the Home Office.
Robert has experience both within the First Tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal. He is fully conversant with asylum law, human rights law and applications under the Immigration Rules (such as leave to enter or remain in the UK). He has further been instructed in matters opposing the deprivation of citizenship.
Through his appointment as ‘Junior Junior’Â Counsel in his early years in practise, he has also undertaken a wide variety of review work on behalf of the Home Office.
He has conducted hearings involving vulnerable witnesses and realises the particular skill-set required for an advocate when working within the immigration setting.
“Robert is an excellent barrister with a thoughtful and measured approach to cases. He is always well prepared.”
(The Legal 500 – immigration)
Robert’s Immigration practice covers:
- Asylum Law
- Human Rights
- Bail Applications
- Deprivation of Citizenship
- Application pursuant to the Immigration Rules
Robert regularly appears on behalf of Local Authorities and Health Boards throughout Wales, primarily specialising in Deprivation of Liberty (DOLS) and Personal Welfare matters.
He has experience of acting on behalf of both Applicants and Respondents in this jurisdiction. He has conducted multi-day final hearings in this jurisdiction.
Robert’s Court of Protection practice covers:
- Deprivation of Liberty (DOLS)
- Personal Welfare Applications
- Powers of Attorney
“Robert is an excellent barrister with a thoughtful and measured approach to cases. He is always well prepared.”
(The Legal 500 – immigration)
Civil
- J v Ministry of Justice:Â Successfully acted in the final hearing for the Ministry of Justice defending a negligence claim for personal injuries made by a serving prisoner following injuries caused by another inmate.
Employment
- A v B: Acted for a large employer in a multi-day final hearing defending an unfair dismissal claim. The case concerned allegations the employee had been dismissed for âwhistleblowingâ. All aspects of the claim were dismissed.
- B Panel of the Welsh Government Panel of Approved Counsel
- Independent Appeals Panel Chairperson (Football Association of Wales)
- Bar Standards Board, Professional Ethics Examination Standard Setter
- Qualified Pupil Supervisor
- Hawarden High School
- Cardiff University Law Degree LLB (2:1)
- Oxford University MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Cardiff Law School Bar Professional Training Course (Graded: âOutstandingâ)
Robert was awarded the prestigious Pegasus Scholarship by the Inns of Court to work for the New Zealand Government for three months in 2018. He lived in Wellington, New Zealand during this time.
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