Rob is a dispute resolution partner in HFW's leading shipping practice in the Middle East, where he has a particular focus on offshore marine, international trade and marine insurance.

An English qualified lawyer, Rob has been based in the UAE since 2006 where he has gained significant experience handling complex disputes centred around the marine and offshore industry. He has advised on some of the region's largest claims arising from offshore casualties (rig punch-throughs, fires/explosions, collisions and allisions), EPC contracts, ship building/ship conversion projects as well as commodity trades. Rob also has experience advising on commercial disputes generally, including shareholder, JV, distribution and franchise.

As well as litigating before the English Courts and various courts throughout the GCC, Rob regularly acts as counsel in both domestic and international arbitral forums including the ICC, LCIA, LMAA, GAFTA, FOSFA and DIAC. Rob is likewise experienced in dealing with matters ancillary to arbitration, including obtaining freezing injunctions, obtaining and defending security for costs orders, as well as both enforcing awards and challenging defective awards. Rob is a registered practitioner with rights of audience before the DIFC Courts (Part II).

Rob has been recognised for several years by legal directories as a leading shipping lawyer in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Clients describe Rob as an "exceptionally likeable first-class lawyer and trusted advisor" Chambers Global, UAE 2022

having "in-depth industry knowledge" and "impress[ing] with his grasp of the key issues and assessments of how far to go in negotiations" Legal 500, UAE 2022 and 2021