Robert is instructed in a broad range of commercial disputes, including contractual claims, shareholders’ disputes, and fact-heavy claims involving allegations of fraud, both in court proceedings and in arbitrations. His international practice often gives rise to claims involving cross-border elements and conflict of laws.
Robert has acted in both litigation and advisory work in many Caribbean jurisdictions, in public law and regulatory matters and in private, commercial disputes and arbitrations. He has been called to the bar in Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada.
Robert is instructed as sole counsel in a wide range of commercial disputes, involving among others: disputing joint venturers; shareholders and company law remedies; contractual disputes; agency disputes; and claims involving allegations of deceit, fraudulent transactions and corruption.
EMBD v Junior Sammy Contractors (Trinidad and Tobago) [2024] UKPC 33
Great Lakes Reinsurance (Uk) plc v RAV Bahamas Ltd (Bahamas) [2024] UKPC 11
Renraw Investments Ltd & Ors v Real Time Systems Ltd (Trinidad & Tobago) [2023] UKPC 39
Administrative, Constitutional & Public
Robert has appeared in many landmark constitutional and public law cases in the Privy Council on appeal from Caribbean and other jurisdictions and is currently acting in a number of outstanding administrative law appeals to the Privy Council.
He has appeared and advised in a large number of administrative and constitutional claims in Trinidad and Tobago, both for and against the State.
Ayers-Caesar v The Judicial and Legal Service Commission (Trinidad and Tobago) [2025] UKPC 15
Dhoray v Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago & Anor (Trinidad and Tobago) [2024] UKPC 28
Henry & Anor v Attorney General of St Lucia (Saint Lucia) [2023] UKPC 41
Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago v Vijay Maharaj (Trinidad and Tobago) [2023] UKPC 36
Ngumi v The Attorney General of The Bahamas & Ors (Bahamas) [2023] UKPC 12
Attorney General v Dumas [2017] UKPC 12
confirming that a citizen had the right in the public interest to bring a claim for interpretation of the constitution alleging failure by a public body to observe the constitutional limits on its powers
Sam Maharaj v Prime Minister [2016] UKPC 37
Robert appeared as sole counsel in this successful appeal in which the Privy Council confirmed that failure by a public body to observe the rules of natural justice entailed a breach of the appellant’s constitutional right to the protection of the law and led to a claim in damages in judicial review.
Robert has long experience of acting in substantial and difficult cases of civil fraud, in all areas of commercial activity, and in obtaining or responding to urgent relief.
He has acted in many business and contractual disputes involving allegations of deceit, wrongful dispositions, and fraudulent misrepresentations in the sales of businesses and shares.
In Trinidad and Tobago he has acted in cases involving allegations of corruption and conspiracy.
Walker v Somboonsarn [2024] EWHC 919 (Ch)
Robert, together with Peter Knox KC, acted for A&V Oil in this substantial and hard-fought arbitration in Trinidad, successfully defending it from accusations of fraud by a state-owned oil company and setting aside the wrongful termination of its contract.
Robert has acted in many claims against financial advisors. He is also instructed in claims against solicitors, accountants and surveyors.
Charles B Lawrence v Intercommercial Bank Limited [2021] UKPC 30
Robert has been instructed as counsel in a number of Caribbean jurisdictions, in both public and private law, and has appeared in the Caribbean Court of Justice.
In the English courts, he is instructed in cross-border disputes between contracting parties and joint venturers, involving the determination of questions of foreign law and conflict of laws.
Richards v State of Trinidad and Tobago
Robert’s appellate practice in the Privy Council has included a number of appeals concerning property disputes. He is instructed in contractual disputes in the commercial property sector.
Gift & Anor v Rowley (Trinidad and Tobago) [2025] UKPC 37
Nolan & Anor v Jude (St Lucia) [2024] UKPC 22
Walker v Somboonsarn [2024] EWHC 919 (Ch)
Porter & Anor v Stokes (Trinidad and Tobago) [2023] UKPC 11
Carriacou Devcor Ltd v Corion & Anor (Grenada) [2023] UKPC 1
Robert is able to accept instructions directly from members of the public, companies and other entities through the public access scheme (also known as direct access). He has acted, advised and drafted pleadings and documents for a number of individuals and small and medium sized businesses on a direct access basis. He is happy to accept instructions on a direct basis in appropriate cases. If you wish to instruct Robert on a direct basis, please speak to the practice managers.
For more information on public access, please see the Bar Council website.
Please contact us either by telephone: +44 (0)20 7415 7800 or email: clerks@3harecourt.com
