Robert Fitt

Work Department

About

• Introduction
• Notable Cases
• Qualifications
• Awards & Prizes
• Appointments
• Memberships
• Testimonials

Position

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Bribery and Corruption
• Confiscation
• Crime
• Defence
• Drugs
• Financial Crime & Fraud
• Licensing
• Murder & Manslaughter
• Prosecution
• Regulatory
• Road Traffic & Motoring
• Sexual Offences
• Trading Standards
• Violent Crime

Introduction

Robert is a well regarded criminal practitioner known for the care and attention he gives to every case. He has acted in lengthy and serious cases involving homicide, rape, kidnap and drug trafficking.

Robert specialises in large and complex fraud matters, often involving an international dimension.  He was recently led by Howard Godfrey QC for the Defence in a case arising from the SFO’s largest ever bribery investigation.

Whilst defending, Robert has had some notable successes in fraud and tax evasion matters, often convincing judges to dismiss cases on technical grounds. 

In addition to his extensive Defence work, Robert prosecutes fraud cases on behalf of the CPS, FCA, SIA, Royal Mail and a number of local authorities. Robert has in recent years been leading Counsel in a number of significant multi-handed trials.  He is experienced at dealing with cases of conspiracy, bribery and misfeasance in a public office. Robert is adept at presenting complicated evidence to juries in a way that makes the material readily understandable and appear at its most compelling.  

Robert is well versed in proceeds of crime legislation and handles cases involving substantive offences of money laundering, as well as confiscation proceedings in the Crown Court and High Court.

Robert is a Grade 3 CPS prosecutor on the General Crime list.  He is also a Grade 3 CPS prosecutor on the specialist Fraud List.

 

Career

Call 2008.

Appointments

Robert sat as a clerk to the Bar Disciplinary and Tribunal Service for two full four-year terms between 2013 and 2020.

Testimonials

“Robert’s submissions in court have been delivered with great effectiveness. He is an exceptional advocate having a very formidable presence in court and commanding the respect of the Judges and clients. He is a very versatile and innovative advocate.”
–    I.F., Instructing Solicitor 

“I consider Robert to be an excellent advocate. I have found that he is always properly prepared for his case, which means that he comes across as completely familiar with and in command of the case papers…Robert is eminently capable of presenting complex evidence succinctly and has always displayed an excellent grasp of relevant law and procedure…When I need to instruct trial counsel or I need to obtain counsel’s advice in relation to particular issues, Robert is invariably my first choice.”
–    J.M., Instructing Solicitor 

“Mr Fitt has a reassuring presence and naturally inspires confidence.”
–    S.J., Instructing Solicitor

“The judge was right when he said that you should be commended over your dogged determination over matters of law.”
–    A.S., Lay Client

Notable Cases

R v P.B. (2021) Southwark Crown Court

Led by Howard Godfrey QC for the Defence of a man charged with involvement in two conspiracies to corrupt.  The case concerned the use of bribery to obtain a contract from the Iraqi government worth some $57 million (US).  The charges arose from the SFO’s largest ever bribery investigation conducted across multiple jurisdictions (the “Unaoil” case). 

R v A (2020) Inner London Crown Court

Prosecuted an elected councillor on charges of fraud and perverting the course of public justice in a widely-reported trial resulting in conviction and the defendant’s removal from office.

R v S and A (2019) Inner London Crown Court

Leading counsel in a month-long fraud by abuse of position trial concerning £56,000 of public money.

R v S.S. and others (2019) Woolwich Crown Court

Leading counsel for the prosecution in a six-handed fraud and money laundering case heard over four weeks.

R v D and F (2018) Shrewsbury Crown Court

Leading counsel for the prosecution in a case of perverting the course of justice involving vulnerable complainants and witnesses. 

R v L.O. (2018) Reading Crown Court

Defending a man charged with causing death by careless driving arising from a high-speed collision on the M40.  He was also charged with causing death whilst being an unlicensed driver.  The case was highly emotional, involved complex expert evidence and gained some attention in the national press.

R v R.Y. and others (2017) Inner London Crown Court

Junior counsel for the prosecution in a case of fraud, misconduct in a public office and money laundering concerning three defendants accused of defrauding the London Borough of Southwark over several years.

R v C and others (2017) Oxford Crown Court

Defending one of five defendants charged with perverting the course of justice.  The Crown was forced into a position where it had to drop the case for reasons of non-disclosure.

R v J and others (2016) Warwick Crown Court

Junior counsel for the Crown in a constructive manslaughter and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice case brought against five defendants.

R v H and others (2015) Manchester Crown Court (Crown Square)

Defending one of five men accused of laundering money obtained by fraud from the British Heart Foundation and a school in Darlington.  During cross examination of the OIC the Crown was forced to make an application in camera that was refused.  The Crown was obliged to drop the case against all five men.

R v R.I. (2015) Aylesbury Crown Court

Defending a man charged with the historic rape of a 14-year-old girl at a bus stop.

R v M and another (2014) St Albans Crown Court

Junior counsel on behalf of a defendant charged with kidnap, using a firearm with intent, possession of a firearm with intent, possession with intent to supply £20,000 worth of cocaine and ABH. 

Memberships

Grade II CPS Prosecutor;
Clerk to the Council of the Inns of Court’s Bar Disciplinary Committee;
Criminal Bar Association;
Young Fraud Lawyers Association.

Education

BA (Hons) History & Politics – 1st; BVC (College of Law) – highest mark for advocacy in year; Diplock Scholar of the Honorable Society of Middle Temple; Colombos Public International Law Prize 2007.

Awards & Prizes

Middle Temple Diplock Scholarship 
Middle Temple Colombus International Law Prize
Advocacy Prize, College of Law  – Top of year in advocacy