Robert is experienced in advising clients on applications for charity registrations, charity restructures and incorporations, high-profile charity investigations, charity disputes and mergers.

Robert is an ex-Charity Commission lawyer who holds a PhD in Charity Law and is the author of The Law of Charitable Status: Maintenance and Removal (CUP, 2008) and Charity in the NHS: Policy and Practice (Jordans, 1998). Robert has been cited in Parliament as an expert in Charity Law.

Robert offers over thirty years’ experience of advising charities on governance and structures. The main bulk of his work involves advising charities on incorporations, trading companies, mergers and trustees’ duties and responsibilities. Robert is also qualified in Canon Law.

Robert also provides legal advice to independent schools and faith schools.

  • It was a privilege to work with Robert to develop and deliver a blood cancer clinical trial delivery company. Robert was immensely responsive to the twin demands of developing a commercial competitive trials proposition with an underpinning not-for-profit ethos. I was particularly impressed by his insight into the UK charitable sector and greatly valued his desire to foster innovative models designed to help patients with blood cancer access to new drug and transplant therapies.

    Prof. Charles Craddock CBE, FRCP (UK), FRCPath, DPhil, FMedSci

  • Robert was great to work with from the very outset. Very knowledgeable, very collaborative and with a clear wealth of experience that shines through. He understood our needs, communicated clearly and realistically to manage our expectations and delivered very promptly. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for legal advice in the charity realm. He will be our natural go-to person for any upcoming legal needs in the future.

    Gus – The Infinity Branch CIO

  • Robert, this has been a revelation, impressive work, many thanks.

    Peter Cox, Assistant Director, Finance & Business Development, Glebe House

  • Robert is a gentleman, a wonderful human being and a dedicated professional.

    Julie Harwin, CEO, STARS-well-being Ltd

  • Robert is always able to quickly cut to the chase and apply his immense knowledge of the law cost-effectively and with the minimum of fuss.

    Thomas Memery, Director, Omega, the National Association for End of Life Care

  • Robert has been supporting the Foundation, Mary Ward Loreto UK/Albania, for the last five years. He has remained faithful and with high expertise in establishing the UK charity on a sure footing and also supporting the development of the charity into the future. Robert is remarkably sincere and with integrity. He is a person whom I know I can trust.

    Sister Imelda Poole MBE, Trustee of Mary Ward Loreto UK

  • I am privileged to have worked with Robert not only as a lawyer but as an honorary Trustee/advisor to several leading charities and not-for-profits, he stands out for his passion, humanity and concern to make them even better and the world a better place.

    Tom Petzal – Arts and Charities Funding Consultant

  • Robert has been our Lawyer for over 20 years and in this time his vast wealth of knowledge and experience has been invaluable to us. He is very thorough, meticulous and always ready to go the extra mile. A genuinely kind and thoughtful man. I truly don’t know what we would do without you!

    Jo Grazte, CEO, Hospice Aid UK

  • Robert added much wisdom and good humour to his discernments as a governor at St Mary’s School Cambridge. His knowledge of canon law alongside other legal practices was particularly helpful to the governors and executive. He was a great listener and a generous contributor.

    Charlotte Avery, Headmistress, St Mary’s School Cambridge