Mr Robert Thomas KC KC > Chambers of Poonam Melwani KC > London, England > Barrister Profile
Quadrant Chambers Offices
Quadrant Chambers
QUADRANT HOUSE, 10 FLEET STREET
LONDON
EC4Y 1AU
England
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Mr Robert Thomas KC KC
Position
Robert is an established commercial silk. His practice focuses on the following core areas: shipping, commodities and international trade; energy and natural resources; international arbitration and commercial litigation (in particular, in commercial fraud and related relief). He has been consistently ranked as a Leading Silk in both directories, and has been praised (amongst other things) for having a “fantastically effective and intellectual style“, for “consistently deliver[ing] a first-class service” and for his ability to handle “difficult cases on a tight timetable“. Clients particular appreciate his tenacity and insightful cross-examination, as well as his appreciation of the commercial and practical considerations that are in play. He is also receiving an increasing number of appointments as an arbitrator.
Career
MA (Hons), Trinity College, Cambridge. Licence Speciale en Droit Europeen, Universite Libre de Bruxelles. BCL, St Catherine’s College, Oxford.
Languages
French, German.
Memberships
COMBAR, BILA, LCIA and supporting member of LMAA. Robert is also a registered DFIC practitioner.
Education
Cambridge University (1989 MA Hons); Université Libre de Bruxelles (1990 Licence Spécial en Droit Européen); Oxford University (1991 BCL).
Personal
Fluent French, working knowledge of German.
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > Shipping
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1Robert Thomas KC –Quadrant Chambers ‘ Very user friendly and knowledgeable in all aspects of maritime law. Great tenacity in person and great thinking on his feet.’
Quadrant Chambers continues to be involved in market-leading cases in shipping, with the set fielding a large number of silks and juniors specialising in maritime matters. In FMG SYDNEY c/w MSC APOLLO, Nigel Jacobs KC acted for the owners of the FMG Sydney in a rare a decision by the Admiralty Court to contribute full liability to one vessel, the MSC Apollo, regarding a collision between the two ships in the approaches to Tianjin in 2020. James Shirley appeared on behalf of RTI in the Supreme Court in MUR Shipping BV v RTI Ltd, a case dealing with a force majeure clause in a contract of affreightment in light of Russian sanctions. Robert Thomas KC led Paul Henton in High Court limitation proceedings arising out of the high-profile grounding of the Ever Given which obstructed the Suez Canal in 2021, opposite a number of other Quadrant silks including Stewart Buckingham KC, John Russell, James Turner KC, and Michael Davey KC. Damaged undersea electricity cables running under the English Channel were the subject of claims in the Bremen Fighter, in which Caroline Pounds was instructed on behalf of the owners of a tug which had transported a dumb barge to the location where its anchor, dragging during a storm, resulted in the damage to the cables.
Regional International Arbitration – The Bar > Shipping and commodities
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1Robert Thomas KC–Quadrant Chambers
Middle East: The English Bar > Commercial
(Leading silks)Ranked: Tier 2Robert Thomas KC – Quadrant Chambers ‘Rob is an extremely accomplished all round barrister. He is capable of being very succinct in his advice and keeps that absolutely on the point. He is a challenging and forceful cross-examiner when required but generally succeeds in maintaining a respectful relationship with all those before whom he appears.’