Direct Access Barrister, Commercial Mediator and Workplace Investigator

Specialist Legal Services for Business Disputes, Mediation and Workplace Matters

I am a direct access barrister, CEDR accredited commercial mediator, mediation advocate, independent workplace investigator, grievance and disciplinary chair, and trainer, based in London and operating throughout England and Wales. I specialise in shareholder disputes, partnership disputes, family business disputes, commercial contract disputes, professional regulatory matters and workplace investigations.

I have been involved in over 1,000 cases across more than 20 years in one capacity or another. Before I qualified as a lawyer, I had a career in commerce: as a money market trader in the City of London, as the founder and owner of three technology businesses, and as an equity-holding director of one of the UK’s leading online price comparison sites. That background shapes the way I work and the advice I give.

My focus in every case is the same: understand the real problem, identify the most effective route to a solution, and help clients make clear-headed decisions under pressure.

What I Do

Direct Access Barrister: Shareholder, Partnership and Business Disputes

As a direct access barrister, I can be instructed without a solicitor. I advise business owners, shareholders, directors and partners on their legal position, strategy and options in serious business disputes. I represent clients in the High Court, County Court and at tribunal. My work commonly involves unfair prejudice petitions and derivative actions, partnership disputes, family business disputes, directors’ duties claims and commercial contract disputes.

Commercial Mediator

As a CEDR accredited mediator, I help businesses and individuals resolve disputes without the cost, delay and uncertainty of litigation. I mediate in shareholder disputes, partnership disputes, family business conflicts, commercial contract disputes and workplace matters. My approach is to create the conditions in which parties can move forward, while testing positions rigorously where that is needed to help parties reach a realistic settlement.

Mediation Advocate

Going into mediation without a clear strategy is one of the most common and costly mistakes parties make. As a mediation advocate, I advise and represent clients before and during mediation to maximise leverage, manage risk and achieve the best possible result. I bring a rare combination of perspectives to this role: as a practising barrister, an accredited mediator, and a former business owner who has been through a commercial dispute of his own. That means I understand how mediators think, how parties behave under pressure, and how to use the process strategically rather than simply reactively.

Independent Workplace Investigator

I conduct independent, external workplace investigations into grievances, disciplinary matters, whistleblowing allegations and conduct concerns. My investigations are thorough, procedurally sound and delivered in clear, well-reasoned reports that are defensible under tribunal scrutiny. I have experience with complex, high-stakes investigations involving senior executives, CEOs and board-level individuals.

Independent Grievance and Disciplinary Chair

Where an organisation needs an independent, external chair for a grievance hearing, disciplinary hearing or appeal, I bring the same rigour and structured decision-making to the chair role that I apply as an investigator and barrister. Poorly chaired hearings carry significant legal risk. My approach, which I describe as Judgecraft, ensures that conclusions are based on evidence, reached through a fair process, and clearly reasoned so they can withstand appeal or employment tribunal scrutiny. I am particularly experienced in complex and sensitive matters involving senior staff, allegations of discrimination, harassment or misconduct, and cases with multiple witnesses or cross-allegations.

Training: Workplace Investigations and Witness Familiarisation

I offer two practical training programmes drawing directly on my experience as a barrister, investigator and judge. Workplace and corporate investigation training is designed for HR professionals, managers and internal investigators who need to conduct fair, structured and defensible investigations. Witness familiarisation training helps individuals understand how hearings work, how questioning operates and how evidence is assessed, so they can give clear, accurate and confident evidence. Both programmes can be delivered in-house and tailored to the specific needs of the organisation.

Why Clients Choose Me

The combination of legal expertise and real commercial experience is the clearest reason. Most legal professionals have spent their entire career in law. I have not. Before the Bar, I built businesses, managed risk, dealt with boards and shareholders, and lived through a commercial dispute of my own. That gives me a different kind of insight into the pressures my clients face and the decisions they need to make.

Clients also value the fact that I am direct and honest. If a case is weaker than a client believes, I say so early. If the risks of litigation outweigh the potential benefits, I will explain that clearly. My job is not to tell clients what they want to hear. It is to give them the clearest possible picture so they can make the best available decision.

And across all areas of my practice, I focus on solutions. Whether I am advising, mediating, advocating, investigating or chairing, the goal is always to reach a resolution that is workable, proportionate and as efficient as possible.

The Scale and Scope of My Experience

The disputes I have been involved in range from straightforward contract claims to multi-million-pound shareholder and partnership disputes. The largest to date was a £120 million partnership dispute between six brothers and their children. I have advised in unfair prejudice petitions, conducted mediations for disputes involving personal guarantees of £5 million and above, chaired complex disciplinary hearings involving CEOs and senior directors, and acted in professional regulatory proceedings before some of the UK’s most prominent regulatory bodies.

I accept instructions from clients throughout England and Wales and travel as required.

What My Clients Say

“…outstanding… beyond reproach… best possible outcome… fully recommend… cannot thank him enough.”

“Your expert legal advice is second to none and your client care is beyond compare.”

“Robin helped me understand the options available, was always timely in his responses and guided myself and my 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, SBD Partners Ltd, direct access client, contract dispute

“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. It was a masterclass.” Annie Conboy, party representative at a disciplinary hearing

“Not only did you deliver your expertise at the hearing, you guided me through one of the most difficult times of my life. I cannot thank you enough. You have been fantastic and I could not have asked for a better result.” Tanisha Brown, direct access client, professional regulatory matter

“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.” Company director and shareholder, Midlands

“Exceptional professionalism, legal expertise, and personal approach.”

“Thank you and wow, what a result!”

See all Testimonials

Published Books

I have written four books, each designed to help business owners, HR professionals and advisers better understand the legal and practical issues that arise in their area.

• The Shareholder Disputes Handbook covers unfair prejudice petitions, derivative actions, remedies, valuation and strategy in ownership and control disputes.
• Winning at Commercial Mediation is a practical guide to preparing for and succeeding in commercial mediation, including how to develop a settlement strategy and manage negotiation effectively.
• The Workplace and Corporate Investigator’s Handbook addresses the full process of conducting workplace investigations, from planning and interviewing witnesses through to writing clear, defensible reports.
• Winning in the Witness Box helps witnesses and professionals understand how hearings work and how to give evidence effectively.

See all Books

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I instruct a barrister without going through a solicitor?

Yes. Under the direct access scheme, you can instruct a qualified barrister directly. I am authorised to accept direct access instructions for advice, drafting and representation in appropriate cases. Find out more about direct access.

What types of dispute do you handle?

My core areas are shareholder disputes, business partnership disputes, family business disputes, directors’ duties claims, commercial contract disputes and professional regulatory matters. I also act as a commercial mediator, mediation advocate, workplace investigator and independent grievance and disciplinary chair.

What is the difference between a mediator and a mediation advocate?

A mediator is the neutral third party who facilitates the mediation and helps the parties reach a settlement. A mediation advocate represents one party in the mediation, developing their strategy, advising on offers and counteroffers, and working to achieve the best possible outcome for that client. I act in both roles, though not in the same dispute. Find out more about mediation advocacy.

When should an organisation appoint an external grievance or disciplinary chair?

An independent external chair is particularly valuable where the allegations involve senior staff or directors, where there is a risk of perceived bias or conflict of interest, where the case is complex or sensitive, or where there is a realistic prospect of employment tribunal proceedings. A well-chaired hearing significantly reduces legal risk. Find out more about independent chairing.

What training do you offer?

I offer two programmes. Workplace investigation training is designed for HR professionals and managers who need to conduct fair and defensible investigations. Witness familiarisation training helps individuals prepare to give evidence in court, tribunal or regulatory proceedings. Both can be delivered in-house and tailored to your organisation’s needs.

Do you work outside London?

Yes. I am based in London but accept instructions from clients throughout England and Wales and travel for hearings, mediations, investigations and meetings as required.

How do you charge?

I typically agree a fixed fee in advance for defined pieces of work, or an agreed hourly rate for ongoing advisory work. Contact me for a free initial discussion and a fee proposal tailored to your matter.

Can you act as both barrister and mediator in the same dispute?

No. Where I am acting as a barrister representing one party, I cannot also act as a neutral mediator in the same matter. I am happy to discuss which role would be most appropriate for your situation.

Transparency: Some Things You Need to Know

• I usually agree a fixed fee in advance, or an agreed hourly rate.
• My availability depends on existing commitments. I can usually identify delivery timescales when agreeing a fixed fee.
• Unless otherwise agreed, I deliver regulated legal work from my sole practitioner chambers, The Chambers of Robin Somerville, 330 High Holborn, London, WC2A 1HL.
• I am regulated by the Bar Standards Board. If you have cause to complain, please see my complaints procedure.
• The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) accepts complaints about regulated legal work through their website. You should first complain to myself or my chambers. If still dissatisfied, you then have six months to take it to the LeO.
• You can find my entry on the Barristers’ Register on the BSB’s website, or search their database using my name.

Get in Touch

If you are involved in a business dispute, need a mediator or mediation advocate, require an independent workplace investigator or disciplinary chair, or would like to arrange training for your organisation, I would be glad to help. Contact me to arrange an initial discussion.

Call 020 4538 0246, use the contact form below, or book a call directly.