A strategic and analytic focus with a calm approach at a time of crisis.
Barrister | Mediator | Investigator
Robin Somerville - Shareholder, Partnership and Business Dispute Barrister, Mediator and Workplace Investigator
Barrister: Shareholder, Partnership, Business
Legal Advice, Strategy & Advocacy
Mediator: Shareholder, Partnership, Business
Helping businesses resolve disputes
Independent HR Workplace Investigator
Independent external HR investigations
Barrister: Professional Regulatory
Advice and Representation for regulated professionals
Legal Advice, Strategy, Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Professional
Based in London, Robin is a direct access barrister, CEDR accredited mediator, workplace investigator and arbitrator specialising in shareholder, company, partnership and business disputes and professional regulatory matters. He has been involved in over 1,000 cases spanning more than 20 years in one capacity or another.
Robin's focus is on problem solving and finding solutions to disputes by consensus wherever possible to avoid court-based determination unless no practical alternative remains to enforce parties’ rights. He is an expert mediator, providing mediation services in London and through-out the rest of the country.
Robin’s clients instruct him under the direct access or public access scheme which can provide benefits in terms of cost and time savings or you can instruct him through your solicitor.
Resolving Business, Shareholder, Partnership, Board and Contract Disputes
Having previously set up, grown and sold three technology start ups as well as his family's third generation business, Robin understands the commercial imperative behind the swift and successful resolution of disputes that can cause disruption to a business. This business acumen, combined with Robin’s in-depth legal expertise, provides unique benefits to his clients across a range of legal areas including business and commercial, shareholder and partnership and technology.
Robin typically advises on or mediates shareholder and partnership disputes and business disputes such as over disputed commercial contracts. Cases Robin has advised on or mediated range from simple disputes over as little as £25,000 through to six partner dispute over partnership assets of over £100 million.
Technology Disputes
Robin’s commercial technology experience spans both online and offline solution providers and distributors. Robin is able to advise customers, suppliers and sub-contractors involved in online, IT or telecoms projects in the planning and pre-contract stages, or if they are in distress or have ended in dispute. He is also able to advise on dispute resolution systems architecture and strategic considerations and non-contentious planning.
As an adjudicator for Society for Computers and Law, Robin has given presentations on Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) and Online Courts to the Law Society of Scotland LegalTech conference, to BACFI and the Arbitration Club, IT branch. Robin is a mediator and arbitrator for World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) for technology and domain name disputes, is a member of Society for Computer and Law and a was a Chartered IT Professional of the British Computer Society (2014-17).
Professional Regulation and Conduct
With in-depth expertise in professional regulation spanning over 10 years, Robin has represented doctors, pharmacists, solicitors, surveyors and other professionals regarding regulatory issues such as conduct and disciplinary proceedings. He is experienced in helping clients in times of crisis and change where they benefit from his strategic and analytical approach. He has represented professionals facing allegations of sexual misconduct, dishonesty, clinical and language competency before tribunals of first instance, appeals and at the High Court.
Robin has acted as a regulatory panel chair and has experience with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, Construction Industry Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (General Medical Council) amongst others.
Contact me for information or advice about how I can help.
Area of Expertise
Family Business Dispute ResolutionProfessional Regulation, Conduct and Discipline
Workplace Investigations,Employment and Disciplinary
Business Strategy and Crisis Management
Mediation and Dispute Resolution
Direct Access Business and Commercial Barrister: Legal Advice, Advocacy and Representation
Testimonials
expert in understanding both the legal and technical side of a dispute “Robin helped me through a situation with a client who was refusing to pay for work completed in good faith. Robin helped me understand the options available, was always timely in his responses and guided myself and customer to resolve the situation to my satisfaction. Robin is someone who clearly is expert in understanding both the legal and technical side of a dispute.
Edmund Jones
Participants trusted that you were fair and open “I wanted to leave a testimonial as I was very impressed with how well you handled the case yesterday. It’s always a challenge to deal with more complex matters and emotional issues when people have got a bit stuck in their outlook. You were clear, focused and patient as a fact-finder dealing with a wide range of evidence. I feel the participants trusted that you were fair and open. In the later discussions you helped people to reach a clear understanding of the issues involved. That led to a resolution of issues that worked for all parties. Not always the easiest thing to achieve. It was a masterclass in advocacy and I learned so much
Annie Conboy
Professional, thorough, neutral and fair. “I would personally like to thank you so much for the professional way you handled the proceedings.You recognised all key points and thoroughly brought foward a fair, clearly stepped and smooth hearing.You were understanding of my plight and remained neutral and objective throughout.I was really impressed with your knowledge of the case and the key issues that needed to be resolved, coupled with your passion and dedication to ensure a fair and just hearing.I am gratefully indebted to you, I can now move forward with positivity and hope.Thank you again it has been truly humbling to have met such a talented, dedicated and compassionate person.I am happy for you to share any contents of my email for a testimony to your amazing professional skills
Party at a disciplinary hearing
Robin Somerville put me in the picture and gave me options. “I am heading towards a dispute for sure. Where do you go? Who do you ask?Robin Somerville put me in the picture and gave me options.I am now prepared and pleased that I have Robin with me.
FC. Company director and shareholder. Midlands.
enabled me to reach a deal and put an end to the stress of the last 10 months All done and dusted at last and a very satisfactory outcome. Thank you very much indeed for all your help and advice, tempered with a healthy dose of realism, which enabled me to reach a deal and put an end to the stress of the last 10 months.I hope I don’t have to call on you again but will not hesitate to do so if necessary.Thank you again.
Dr John Humpries
Delighted with the result Thank you for yesterday, great result. I can confirm that Mr [Client] is delighted, he emailed me last night to say so. I can also confirm I am delighted with the result.The Client’s email said: ‘Robin was so supportive and informative during the hearing today. He made me feel very at ease at all times. Please could you pass on my gratitude to him.
Peter Bull
Exceptional service, value for money, could not have asked for a better result. “Your service and care throughout has been exceptional and value for money and I would highly recommend you. Not only did you deliver your expertise at the hearing you guided me through one of the most difficult times of my life over the last 14 months from when I initially made contact with your offices. I cannot thank you enough you have been fantastic and I could not have asked for a better result! Thank you.
Tanisha Brown
delivered a significant upside multiple on his fees” “I instructed Robin to advise and manage the pursuit of a commercial outstanding payment from a former customer.The matter was both technically complex and somewhat commercially challenging.Robin, is a no nonsense Direct access Barrister who will tell you what your options are, what the chances of success are, and will guide you through the minefield of legal choices facing you.Ultra-smart, he supported a very successful claim for us that delivered a significant upside multiple on his fees.I would have no hesitation in recommending Robin, particularly where matters involve technology or technology related disputes.
Mike Washburn
I had been involved in a commercial dispute for several years and had consulted with many legal professionals at considerable cost. Within days of first talking to Robin, with great skill and precision, he started taking me through a mediation process and the whole matter was resolved within the month for a fraction of the legal fees I was anticipating having to spend. He is the first legal professional I have worked with who puts wanting to find a solution to the client’s problem before anything else, I wish I had met him four years ago. I would recommend him without hesitation.
Andrew Carmichael
A fantastic result, I look forward to instructing you in the future.
Solicitor
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