Robert joined 7KBW in 1988, following the completion of his pupillage, and he has since practised here in all the classes of litigation frequently seen in the Commercial Court and in commercial arbitrations.  He took silk in 2006.

Robert’s work has always included a large proportion of shipping, commodities and other international trade disputes, as well as associated insurance and reinsurance matters, and these sectors continue to be specialisms that he particularly enjoys and excels in.  Recent shipping cases have included several shipbuilding and shipsale matters. Most cases are international/multi-jurisdictional in character, and often include issues relating to jurisdiction and/or to asset-tracing/recovery claims.

Much of Robert’s work in recent years has been in arbitrations (which are confidential).  Specific recent and ongoing experience in the Commercial Court includes a $90m international commodities claim and a $30m cargo claim, as well as several smaller actions (e.g., a £10m shareholder dispute, a £20m banking/professional liability dispute).

Specific recent and ongoing arbitrations include a very large number of LMAA arbitrations as well as several LCIA and ICC arbitrations (and some appointments as arbitrator).  Robert’s work as an advocate has included appearances in numerous international arbitrations,  several of which have place overseas, in Europe, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

BA (Jurisprudence), Oxon.; BCL, Oxon.

Memberships include Combar, LCIA and the London Shipping Law Centre

French

• Shipping
• Insurance & Reinsurance
• Commodities

Robert has advised and acted in a very large number of matters and court hearings concerning shipping, including carriage of goods by sea, shipbuilding and shipsale disputes.  Most of these are in arbitration; e.g. 2010 saw Robert represent clients from USA and Hong Kong in two separate charterparty arbitrations and clients from South Africa in a shipbuilding/shipsale arbitration (successfully in every case). A small selection of the more recent reported court hearings is given below.
 

Selected cases:

• Compania Sud Americana De Vapores SA v. Sinochem Tianjin Import & Export Corporation (The “Aconcagua”) [2010] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 1: Seaworthiness, dangerous goods, burden of proof
• Dolphin Maritime & Aviation Services Ltd v. Sveriges Angfartygs Assurans Forening [2009] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 123: Jurisdiction
• Farenco Shipping Co Ltd v. Daebo Shipping Co Ltd (The “Bremen Max”) Lloyd's Law Reports , [2009] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 81: Effect of standard P&I Club Letter Of Indemnity
• Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association (Bermuda) Ltd v. Sulpicio Lines Inc [2008] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 269: Jurisdiction, enforceability of arbitration clause, antisuit injunction
• Vinmar International Ltd. And Another v. Theresa Navigation S.A. [2001] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 1: Hague Rules
• Northern Shipping Co. v. Deutsche Seereederei G.M.B.H. And Others (The “Kapitan Sakharov”) [2000] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 255: Seaworthiness, dangerous goods, Hague Rules

Robert has been instructed in numerous insurance and reinsurance arbitrations.  A particular speciality in recent years has been P&I Club cover disputes.
 

Selected cases:

• Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association (Bermuda) Ltd v. Sulpicio Lines Inc [2008] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 269: Jurisdiction, enforceability of arbitration clause, antisuit injunction
• Standard Steamship Owners’ Protection And Indemnity Association (Bermuda) Ltd v. Gie Vision Bail [2005] Lloyd's Rep IR 407: P&I cover, jurisdiction

Robert has been involved in numerous cases concerning the sale of goods, often in a specialized context and frequently in international or trade arbitrations.  For example, in 2010 he has appeared in a Commercial Court trial resulting in judgment of $90m in relation to sales of gasoil; an LME arbitration involving a term contract for the supply of zinc; and two international arbitrations involving coal trades (successfully in every case).  A small selection of the more recent reported court hearings is given below.

Selected cases:

• ERG Raffinerie Mediterranee Spa v. Chevron USA Inc (The “Luxmar”) [2007] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 542: Sale of goods (FOB)
• Australia And New Zealand Banking Group Ltd v. Compagnie Noga D’Importation Et D’Exportation SA [2007] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 487: Fraudulent trading, settlement agreement
• South Caribbean Trading Ltd. v. Trafigura Beheer BV [2005] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 128: Oil-trade contracts

• "always seems to have the trust of the tribunal,” which is perhaps due in part to his “understated and laid-back advocacy style" Chambers UK 2012
  
• "bright and thorough” Chambers UK 2011
  

• “charming and user-friendly.” Legal 500 2010
  

• “extremely well regarded for his key role in a number of shipping arbitrations and commodity disputes.” Chambers UK 2010
  

• “charming and user friendly.” Legal 500 2010

• “very successful in difficult cases where a barrister with some imagination and the ability to look at things with fresh eyes when needed” Legal 500 2010

• “Robust and effective” and “a good strategic thinker.” Legal 500 2009

• “combines intellectual ability with good commercial judgement.” Legal 500 2009

• “another highly regarded barrister.” Legal 500 2009

• "the very trial smart.” Legal 500 2008
  

• “sound commercial judgment”. “extremely user-friendly, reliable, effective and robust.” Chambers UK 2008

• “intelligent, effective and thorough” “proud to be in his company.” Chambers UK 2006