Robert is a barrister and an experienced litigator, Robert’s work involves a wide range of commercial and corporate disputes. He has particular expertise in complex fraud cases (frequently working alongside specialist criminal lawyers), claims against directors, and shareholder disputes.
Robert acts for individuals, entrepreneurs, companies and their shareholders, and he has a keen interest in acting for companies regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Robert is a committee member of the Fraud Lawyers’ Association and was previously an elected member of the Bar Council.
A very experienced individual
Legal 500 2017
Has razor-sharp legal skills and is extremely user friendly
Legal 500 2017
Expertise
- Commercial litigation
- Fraud and regulatory investigations and litigation
- Freezing injunctions and interim remedies
- Shareholder disputes
- Claims against directors
- Insolvency litigation
- International/multi-jurisdictional litigation
- Privy Council appeals
- Acting for FCA-regulated entities
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Funding and management of litigation
Experience
- Acting in two cases involving the defence to claims brought by the liquidators of Bernard Madoff’s US and UK companies
- Acting for the defendant in a £95m civil fraud claim pursued by HMRC, arising out of failed criminal prosecution
- Acting for the ex-wife of a multi-millionaire businessman in her £3m claim against him, arising out of investment in a Ponzi scheme
- Advising regulated entities operating under the FCA’s Payment Services and E-Money regimes
- Successfully concluding the settlement of insolvency claims of £20m pursued by a liquidator, arising out of VAT assessments, with negotiations lasting over 18 months
- Acting as agent in three separate successful appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
- Acting for a Russian TV channel in a multi-million pound arbitration arising out of a licensing dispute
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Barrister Robert Lawrie leads the fraud team at Keystone Law and has notable expertise representing claimants and defendants in cross-border disputes and asset recovery. Sources describe him as an “excellent, seasoned civil fraud practitioner” who is “tactically insightful and commercially aware,” as well as being “very attentive and hugely client-friendly.” Chambers UK 2020
Recognised in the Legal 500 2020 for Commercial Litigation and Fraud: Civil
“Robert Lawrie is an absolutely stand-out litigator; highly able, organised, brilliant with clients – everything that you could possibly want from a lawyer.” Legal 500 2020
“Robert Lawrie has almost unrivalled experience for someone of his seniority, and has been involved in numerous high-profile and ground-breaking cases.” Legal 500 2020
The “very commercial” Robert Lawrie is a barrister at Keystone Law with notable expertise in commercial litigation and fraud cases. A source notes: “In what was a very complex case in multiple jurisdictions, Robert managed to keep the various lawyers, expert witnesses and clients organised and focused, dealt with any issues diplomatically and provided clear advice to the clients when there was a lot of detail to cover.” Chambers UK 2019
Recognised in the Legal 500 2018 for Fraud:Civil and Commercial Litigation
“A tenacious and talented litigator” Legal 500 2018
“Has good tactical awareness and efficient management of clients in cases” Legal 500 2018
Robert Lawrie of Keystone Law handles civil fraud and commercial litigation. Clients say “He has good organisational skills and attention to detail, is dedicated and hard-working, and has a good client focus and understanding of the overall goals” Market commentators add that he “has an engaging, can-do attitude laced with good humour and charm” Chambers UK 2018
Robert Lawrie is recognised by the Legal 500 2017 for Fraud.
“A very experienced individual” Legal 500 2017
“Has razor-sharp legal skills and is extremely user friendly” Legal 500 2017
“Keystone Law’s civil fraud practice is new to the scene and is led by the ‘bright and pragmatic’ Robert Lawrie, who joined the firm from Howard Kennedy LLP in 2015. Lawrie regularly represents banks and financial institutions.” Legal 500 2016
Career
Robert qualified as a barrister in 2003. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2015, he worked at the following firms:
- Howard Kennedy
- Cloisters