Robert Strang is an experienced and effective advocate with an international practice, specialising in commercial and public law. He has appeared as an advocate many times at the highest level, having acted in several appeals to the Privy Council.

Robert is instructed in a broad range of commercial disputes, including shareholders’ disputes, financial services mis-selling claims, contractual claims and arbitrations (often involving cross-border elements and conflict of laws). He is experienced in substantial and fact-heavy disputes involving civil fraud.

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.

Expertise

Robert is presently instructed as sole counsel in: a dispute between joint venturers over ownership of a company formed to turn around an ailing business; a shareholders’ dispute involving allegations of deceit and fraudulent dispositions; an appeal against an arbitration award involving interpretation of key terms in a FIDIC contract; a cross-border contractual dispute between travel industry providers involving questions of conflict of laws; a buyer’s pursuit of an intermediary relating to a secret commission in a property transaction; the defence to a just and equitable winding up petition brought by breakaway directors; and a claim brought by the owner of a French subsidiary for his share in a holding company owned via a Scottish limited partnership.

Notable Commercial cases


A&V Oil v Petrotrin

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.


Khanty-Mansiysk Recoveries v Forsters [2018] EWCA Civ 89


Sherlock Holmes International Society v Aidiniantz [2016] EWHC 1076 (Ch)


Robert has appeared in many landmark constitutional and public law cases in the Privy Council on appeal from Caribbean and other jurisdictions and is acting in a number of outstanding administrative law appeals in the Privy Council.

Notable Administrative, Public and Constitutional law cases


Public Service Commission v Richards (Trinidad and Tobago) [2022] UKPC 1


Maharaj v Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs [2020] UKPC 13

a successful appeal establishing that the Minister had no power to eject the appellants from their petrol stations and suspend their licences to sell petroleum, resulting in an award of damages.


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. He successfully sued and obtained freezing orders against the individuals behind the Harlequin investment fraud and has represented the victims of many other investment scams.

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 is advising contractors accused of conspiracy and collusion in the bidding for infrastructure contracts with a state-owned company.

Notable Civil Fraud cases


A&V Oil v Petrotrin

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.


Davies v Ames

(this links to the defendants’ unsuccessful subsequent attempts to set aside their agreement to pay a sum in settlement to Robert’s clients)


Hurst v Hone


Robert has acted in many claims against financial advisors. He represented a large number of investors bringing breach of duty claims against their SIPP providers for losses incurred in the Harlequin investment fiasco. He has also acted in claims against solicitors, accountants and surveyors.

Notable Professional Negligence cases


Charles B Lawrence v Intercommercial Bank Limited [2021] UKPC 30


Part of a team representing a large group of investors from countries in the Eastern Caribbean in a claim in the Caribbean Court of Justice (original jurisdiction) against the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, which is the first large group action before that Court.

He is presently involved in litigation in a number of Caribbean jurisdictions, in both public and private law.

In the English High Court, he is instructed in a cross-border dispute between French, Italian and English businesses over a share sale and joint venture gone sour, involving the determination of questions of French law.

Notable International cases


Richards v State of Trinidad and Tobago


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 clerks.

For more information on public access, please see the Bar Council website.

'Robert is extremely user friendly; nothing is too much trouble. He is very pleasant to deal with and to work with and has a high quality mind which is able to read judges' minds and apply the law practically and effectively.' - The English Bar Offshore

Legal 500 2024

‘He is a no-nonsense lawyer who is able to easily strip away all the frills and technicalities and get to the heart of the matter. He has a simple but effective style of advocacy and is able to easily navigate his way in the court room because he knows his case inside out.’ - Administrative law and human rights

Legal 500 2024

‘Superb written work - a very clear and concise style of drafting.' - Caribbean – The English Bar Offshore

Legal 500 2023

'He is an outstanding and meticulous barrister who understands how the courts think and what will persuade judges.' Ranked: Tier 4 - Administrative and public law (including elections) - UK Bar

Legal 500 2023

‘ Very practical and straight forward to deal with. Has the ability to pick things up very quickly and is also great with clients. ’ Leading Junior - Administrative and public law (including elections)

Legal 500 2022

‘ He has the ability to pick things up very quickly and is also great with clients. ’ Leading Junior - Offshore

Legal 500 2022

‘He is highly adept at appellate work. He cuts through the issues because he knows what the appeal wants and he identifies the kernel of cases with ease. A polished advocate, and along with that, very good value indeed.’ - Leading Junior - Administrative and public law (including elections)

Legal 500 2021

"A go-to for Privy Council and Caribbean-related cases." Offshore

Legal 500 2021

"A polished advocate, and along with that, very good value indeed." Admin & Public Law

Legal 500 2021

"Once you instruct him, you will instruct him again." Admin & Public Law

Legal 500 2020

For Help or Advice…


Please contact us either by telephone: +44 (0)20 7415 7800 or email: clerks@3harecourt.com

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