My services

Who I Am

Resolving legal problems for businesses and professionals

I am a direct access barrister (in England and Wales), CEDR accredited mediator and CEDR panel member, workplace investigator and arbitrator.

I specialise in shareholder, company, board, partnership and business disputes.

My areas of expertise

Based in London but operating throughout the UK, I have dealt with over 1,000 cases in a career spanning more than 20 years in the various forums I’ve worked in. Typically I advise on, or mediate, shareholder and partnership disputes and disputes over issues such as commercial contracts. These can range from simple cases involving as little as £25,000 to six-partner disputes over assets exceeding £100 million.

A background in business

Prior to becoming involved with the law, I had a successful career as a business owner.

I was a money market trader in the City of London before setting up, growing, and selling three modest technology start-ups. I was also involved in my family’s third generation business which fell into administration in the 2009 financial crisis. I was an equity holding director of one of the UK’s leading online price comparison websites for over 13 years.

My combination of commercial and legal expertise is probably unique and allows me to offer clients advice that is both holistic and pragmatic.

Committed to consensus

As an expert mediator I strive to assist the parties find a resolution they can live with to enable them to get on with their business and personal lives. Sometimes of course that’s not possible and in those circumstances I do my utmost fighting to achieve the best possible outcome for my client.

My clients appreciate my focus on finding solutions. My strategic, analytical, and calm approach is especially helpful when they are facing a time of crisis or radical change.

My professional and academic qualifications

Find details of my relevant qualifications.

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, here is a link.
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.
Here is a link to my entry on the Barristers’ Register page on the BSB’s website or you can search their database using my name.

FAQ

Is Robin a fully qualified barrister?

What are Robin's qualifications?

Robin was called to the Bar in 2012 and completed his Pupillage at Clerksroom Chambers.

Robin holds the following Academic qualifications:

LLM – Masters in Law – International and Comparative Dispute Resolution – Queen Mary, University of London
Bar Professional Training Course – University of Law (previously College of Law)
LLB – University of Law (previously College of Law)
Graduate Diploma in Law – University of Law (previously College of Law)
BA (Hons) European Business Studies – Oxford Brookes University
Bachelor de Commerce – Ecole Superieure de Commerce de La Rochelle

Robin also holds the following Professional/other qualifications:

Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator – ADR Group (2010) and CEDR (2023)
Accredited Family Mediator – ADR Group
Google Adwords Certified Professional
Private Pilots Licence (incl IMC/Night)

Is Robin a member of any Professional Bodies

Robin is a member of the following Professional Bodies:

Fellow Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Fellow Civil Mediation Council
Honourable Society of Lincolns Inn
Association of Regulatory Lawyers
Society for Computers and Law

What is Robin's availability?

Robin runs a busy diary but is able to accept instructions, sometimes at short notice, according to availability. Please contact him to enquire as to when he could help by clicking here.

What are Robin's fees?

Each project and instruction is different and Robin prefers to link any fee with the amount of benefit or value he is providing on each occasion.

Robin normally works on a ‘fixed fee’ basis, agreed in advance between him and the client so that matters are clear and transparent and to avoid any surprises. Please contact him with an outline of the requirements you may have so that a proposal can be provided by clicking here.

Where is Robin based and where does he travel to?

Robin travels all over the England, Scotland and Wales for his instructions, as well as London and the surrounds, he has attend hearings as far away as Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast. Robin will travel wherever he is needed.

Any travel costs, always at standard/’no frills’ fares, will either be included in any daily rate or fee proposal or will be clearly set out in advance, prior to any agreement.

Find Out More

“Your expert legal advice is second to none and your client care is beyond compare. … I will be forever grateful for your help.”

Jade Hartley, Shareholder, Denley Properties

Get in touch

To obtain a quotation for legal services, professional, licensed access, and direct/public access (lay), please contact me.

You can also instruct me through your solicitor

Call 020 4538 0246, use the contact form, or webchat here.

Some issues I have helped to resolve

A dispute over a £120m property development partnership involving four out of six brothers.
A long-standing dispute between a business and supplier, resolved so successfully that they entered a new two-year contract.
A professional negligence claim by a technology firm against its accountants.
An unfair dismissal claim by a senior account director at a recruitment firm.
A four-year shareholder dispute between two business partners.
A solicitor’s claim against a medico-legal report writing supplier.