Robert Rhodes KC acts as counsel, arbitrator and mediator, and expert determiner, specialising in international arbitration, commercial and fraud (including civil and criminal fraud, asset forfeiture, tax investigations, bribery and money laundering).
Robert’s CV is extensive and he has earned many appointments throughout his career. His great experience gives him the ability required to reach successful resolutions, and he has been called upon to advise on, and act in, many very serious matters and high profile cases. He is noted for his utter dedication to his clients, takes a commercial approach to problems, and always gives clear, practical advice.
He started his career in criminal chambers and, as a Junior, led both in prosecuting long fraud cases against senior silks, and also defending in long frauds. He acted as Junior in the prosecution of the Israel-British Bank Ld after its collapse. He then became Prosecution Counsel to the Inland Revenue, and was promoted to First Prosecution Counsel at the age of 35.
Robert then joined the chambers of, and was mentored by, the late Michael Sherrard QC, considered one of the finest advocates of his generation. There, he acted as Michael’s junior in many cases including acting for the Belgian Government after the Heysel Stadium disaster. He also prosecuted two Cuban spies, led by the Attorney-General and also the Leader of the South-Eastern Circuit. Robert also conducted much advisory and litigious work for clients in the Far East, including a Hong Kong fraud case which revolutionised the system of bail pending Appeal in Hong Kong.
Robert was the first English silk to be instructed in a capital drugs appeal in Singapore. He was also the first English silk to be instructed in the International Criminal Tribunal at the Hague in a case arising from war crimes committed in a concentration camp in the former Yugoslavia.
His fraud CV also includes successfully representing one of the main accused after the collapse of the notorious investment management company Barlow Clowes in the 90s. He spent 20 years chairing Regulatory & Disciplinary Tribunals, from IMRO through to the FRC. Robert’s tribunals included the politically sensitive Mayflower case where he wrote a 250 page report, which can be read here.
With Robert’s considerable experience, he believes that there is always a way to find an amicable solution to a dispute. Hence, Robert qualified as a mediator in 2007. He also holds a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration and gained a Fellowship from the Chartered Institute of Arbitration in 2013. Robert has lectured worldwide on arbitration, mediation, money laundering and bribery.
Robert studied classical Chinese at Oxford University and has spent much time in the Far East, both advising and lecturing. The Department of Justice in Hong Kong has invited him to address it in March 2025 on mediation.
His arbitration experience is also sought after, both as counsel and arbitrator. He is a member of the LCIA, ICC and the DIAC. He has been instructed on multiple arbitrations including an £80 million property claim in the LCIA in 2023, an ICSID arbitration (as counsel) involving a claim by a bank against a Baltic state, an ICC arbitration relating to a £150m claim regarding African goldfields, and a substantial ICC dispute relating to coal mines.
Robert has been listed in various legal directories over the years.
Other memberships include:
Other activities include:
Robert has for many years practised in ADR and has substantial experience of mediation and arbitration, sitting on various panels around the world.
Robert is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a member of the London Court of International Arbitration and of the International Chamber of Commerce, and a former member of the Corporate Panel of the Dispute Board Federation.
Robert also practises in Expert Determination. He recently made an expert determination in a multi-million pound commercial dispute.
Robert also works internationally – see his International Arbitration practice below.
Robert acts both as counsel and as arbitrator and has experience of international arbitration in commercial, energy and natural resource matters with experience under ICC and ICSID rules.
Recent cases include:
Robert has specialised in fraud for over 40 years, in cases throughout the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Far East. Robert regularly advises on tax and VAT fraud, as well as civil fraud. He has had an 80% success rate against the SFO.
Notable big Ponzi cases in which he successfully defended include:
Robert has a strong disciplinary and regulatory practice including such high profile cases as Accountancy Investigation & Discipline Board v PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP & Another, a 250 page judgment of tribunal chaired by Robert, relating to disciplinary proceedings arising from the collapse of Mayflower Plc. See www.frc.org.uk.
Robert Rhodes KC is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please click here.
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Europe
Caribbean / USA
Far East
Robert Rhodes KC has written articles and publications on a wide range of legal matters. He has also contributed to training videos, and radio and television programmes. Examples include:
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