Sir Robert Neill KC (Honoris Causa)

Sir Robert (“Bob”) Neill KC has returned to practice, following 20 years in Parliament, during which he held ministerial office and latterly the Chairmanship of the Justice Select Committee.

Prior to his time in Government, Bob practiced at the Criminal Bar for over 25 years prosecuting and defending in the full range of criminal work.  Bob was leading counsel in the most serious criminal cases including murder, fraud and drugs cases in the Crown Court and Court of Appeal.

Although Bob continues to accept instructions in criminal cases, he has also developed a practice in advising individual and corporate clients in a wide range of issues (in particular, issues relating to sanctions, corruption and regulatory issues). His experience of managing the interface between political and governmental affairs and business, of governance and of regulation, both statutory and professional, means that he is in an ideal place to advise on regulatory and legal implications for clients.

Moreover, his extensive media and political experience means that he is able to advise corporate and High Net Worth clients on reputational management in relation to the legal and regulatory issues that they face.

Bob’s experience in national and local Government (including ministerial office in the Department of Communities and Local Government, with responsibility for Local Government, Planning and the Fire Service), and his roles in the Strategic Health Authority and London Fire & Civil Defence Authority, give Bob particular insight and authority on regulatory investigations and prosecutions, including in relation to planning and Health & Safety.

Bob also accepts instructions for Inquiries and Internal Investigations, whether as representative or chairing the investigation, and is able to bring his unique experience as both a leading advocate and chairing committees (in Parliament, the London Assembly, the Strategic Health Authority and London Fire and Civil Defence Authority).

Bob was a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where he served on the legal affairs and Human Rights Committee and the Committee for the appointment of Judges for the European Court of Human Rights. He was also the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s representative  on GRECO (Europe’s over-arching anti-corruption body). As such, Bob has exceptional contacts and experience of working with lawyers at the highest level throughout Europe, which enables him to offer particular insight in relation to cases, investigations and advisory work in relation to trans-jurisdictional matters, particularly relating to corruption and sanctions.

Bob is a regular broadcaster and speaker on legal and public policy issues.