Practice Areas
Robert’s (Bobby’s) practice embraces all areas of police law. He has considerable trial and appellate experience and particular expertise and interest in data protection and information law, human rights issues, and misfeasance and false imprisonment claims. Bobby also undertakes public advisory work and provides training.
Bobby has appeared in high-profile inquests and inquiries, including the Plymouth Shootings inquests and the Covid Inquiry, and multiple multi-track trials, including numerous jury trials and very high value personal injury claims. Bobby is also an expert in retention of policing data, having appeared in many of the leading cases.
Notable recent cases include:
- XGY v Chief Constable of Sussex [2024] EWHC 963 (KB) (immunity arising from disclosure of information in criminal bail proceedings);
- R(Chief Constable BTP) v Police Misconduct Panel (2023) EWHC 589 (Admin) (challenge to a decision not to dismiss a constable for abusing his position for a sexual purpose)
- Warburton v Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset [2023] K.B. 551 (leading authority on the principle of res judicata)
- YZ v Chief Constable of South Wales [2022] EWCA Civ 683 (retention of acquittal data on the PNC, junior counsel);
- Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v Information Commissioner [2021] UKUT 5 (AAC) (leading case on s.23(5) FOIA);
- Chief Constable of Avon & Somerset v Gray [2019] EWCA Civ 1675 (leading case on CROs and access to justice).
Bobby was called to the Bar in 2010 and appointed to the Attorney General’s B Panel of Counsel in 2022.