Robin Somerville

Robin Somerville

BA (Hons), LLB, LLM, FCIArb, FCMC London
Membership Status: Mediator
Exclusive Mediator

Results and Memberships

Member Level: Junior Mediator Member Type: Exclusive Member

Robin is a Member of:

Profile

General Information

Robin is a mediator specialising in shareholder, partnership, board, business, family business, commercial and technology disputes. He mediates, advises and acts as a mediation advocate, in disputes from small to multi-million pound business disputes. The largest to date is a £120m partnership dispute involving six brothers and their children.

Prior to qualifying as a mediator in 2009, Robin set up, grew and modestly successfully sold three start-up businesses of his own as well as being involved in his family’s third generation family business which fell into administration in the financial crisis. Robin was involved in his own personal commercial dispute as a claimant which itself settled at mediation. He is therefore uniquely placed to be particularly effective in understanding the commercial, relationship, risk and strategic issues involved with disputes. Robin quickly builds rapport with clients who value his approachability, responsiveness and pragmatic, problem solving and solution focussed outlook.

Robin also sits as a judge, arbitrator and adjudicator. Previously Ombudsman at the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Robin has been involved in resolving over 1,000 cases spanning 15 years by mediation, arbitration as an ombudsman or by determination on various types of tribunals. He has a specialisms in shareholder and board disputes particularly in respect of family businesses, technology related disputes, professional standards and workplace. He is a dual accredited CEDR and ADR Group Accredited Mediator.

Practical Knowledge & Experience:

  •     Business to Business and Contracts
  •     Construction
  •     Insolvency & Directors Responsibilities
  •     Employment
  •     Family Business
  •     Financial Services
  •    Shareholder/Partnership
  •    Technology: Internet/e-Commerce/Software Development 

In the workplace, Robin has conducted mediations and investigations in respect of  complex, challenging and sensitive matters. These include allegations of:

  • sexual misconduct, sexual harassment and obscene imagery of sexual violence,
  • exposing the organisation to multimillion pound risk and reputational damage,
  • risking the loss of major contract representing 25% of business unit income,
  • bullying and harassment,
  • practising witchcraft in the workplace and putting curses on colleagues,
  • running a business from employer's premises,
  • misconduct flowing from mental health and addictions,
  • unauthorised leaks to the press,
  • bringing the employer into disrepute,
  • covert recordings of Board/CEO meetings,
  • CEO/Board grievances and counter grievances,
  • whistleblowing,
  • unfair grievance proceedings,
  • breach of trust and confidence.

 

Robin is a judge for the ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition, has provided papers to the ICC International Mediation Conference and is a judge at the CEDR National Negotiation Competition.

Professional Background:

Robin is a Fellow of the Civil Mediation Council and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and holds a Masters in Law in International and Comparative Dispute Resolution from the Centre for Commercial Law Studies at Queen Mary University of London.

For over 15 years, Robin has been involved in resolving a wide range of disputes. He has mediated, acted as a mediation advocate or negotiated settlements in commercial contract, debt, professional negligence, directors’ guarantees, landlord and tenant, unlawful eviction, unlawful interference, shareholder, employment and breach of trust disputes.  He is an accredited workplace investigator.


In his early career, Robin spent 4 years as a money market and derivatives trader for one of the world’s largest banks

Endorsements:

"Thank you so much for yesterday, you are without doubt the best. I am so grateful that you persevered even when [party] was walking away, words can't express how I feel."
Mediation user in complex shareholder dispute.

"Thank you Robin for your sensitive and professional leadership of the mediation today, and for following up so quickly with the final documentation."
Mediation party.

"I heard today that you were great! Well done. In this instance it is great to be proven wrong."
Mediation commissioner who predicted that the mediation would be unsuccesful.

"Robin worked with me on a mediation and I found him thoughtful, observant and a positive contributor to the process. I would be very happy to work with him again."
High profile mediator.

“Having worked with Robin before he was the obvious choice for me on a second occasion when I needed his services. Robin supported me through a tough and complex situation and I would not have achieved the settlement that I did without his tenacity.”
Mediation advocacy client.

“a diligent and reliable professional who delivers assignments efficiently and with the highest standard of integrity. We are thrilled to have him”
Mediation and investigation service provider

“Robin provides a genuine spark to discussions and brings innovative ideas to fruition…. has overcome all obstacles quickly and efficiently to make things happen.”
“perceptive, thorough and inclusive, always ensuring all issues are aired and addressed appropriately”

“Robin has been a Director of reallymoving.com since its launch in 1999 and has delivered a huge amount of value to the organisation throughout that time. He has a unique blend of deep technical insight, a creative approach to growing a business, solid commercial understanding and a pragmatic common sense approach to everything he does. He's a huge asset to our business.”
CEO and controlling shareholder

“I have always found Robin to be honest and he works with partners with integrity. He has a bright, agile mind. He understands the detail and the bigger picture and can separate the two.  He listens and is prepared to work with people.”

Memberships:

  • Fellow Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Fellow Civil Mediation Council
  • Honourable Society of Lincolns Inn
  • Bar Association for Commerce, Finance and Industry
  • Association of Regulatory Lawyers
  • Chartered IT Professional of British Computer Society (2014-17)


Personal and Interests:

Robin is a Freeman of the City of London, is an NLP Certified Practitioner and has an interest in sustainability, cognitive bias and flawed decision making. He has a Private Pilot’s Licence and is a keen cinema goer. Robin is a Gold RoSPA Advanced Driver and an Approved Tutor.

History

History
  • Date

    Nature of dispute

    Outcome

  • Commercial/Employment
    Outcome: Settled
  • Employment
    Outcome: Settled
  • Employment
    Outcome: Settled
  • Contract/Employment
    Outcome: Settled
  • Commercial
    Outcome: Did Not Settle
  • Breach of Contract
    Outcome: Settled
  • Shareholder Dispute
    Outcome: Settled
  • Employment
    Outcome: Settled
  • Directors guarantees, Professional Negligence
    Outcome: Settled
  • Landlord and Tenant
    Outcome: Settled
  • Landlord and Tenant
    Outcome: Settled
  • Landlord and Tenant
    Outcome: Did Not Settle
  • Employment
    Outcome: Did Not Settle
  • Employment
    Outcome: Settled
  • Unlawful Interference and Seizure
    Outcome: Adjourned
  • Personal Debt
    Outcome: Adjourned
  • Employment
    Outcome: Settled
  • Employment
    Outcome: Settled
  • Family business
    Outcome: Did Not Settle
  • Commercial Unlawful Eviction
    Outcome: Settled
  • Commercial Debt
    Outcome: Did Not Settle
  • Commercial, Shareholder, Employment
    Outcome: Settled

Insurance

Insurance
  • Insurance Provider Oxygen
  • Certificate Status Certificate on file
  • Expiry Date 12 May 2024
  • Level of Cover 1000000

CPD & Training

CPD & Training
  • Mediation Training Provider ADR Group
  • Date Qualified as Mediator 18 June 2010
  • Training Certificate Download PDF

Approved Mediator

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Approved Mediator - Clerksroom Mediator Database

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