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 murder, manslaughter, rape (including historic rape and offences against children), kidnap, firearms offences and drug trafficking.
Robert has considerable experience in large and complex fraud matters, often involving an international dimension. He was led by Howard Godfrey KC for the Defence in a case arising from the SFO's largest ever bribery investigation. He has recently been instructed for the Defence in a case brought by the SFO against the former CFO of Patisserie Valerie, in which he is being led by Keir Monteith KC.
In addition to his extensive Defence work, Robert prosecutes fraud cases on behalf of the CPS, FCA, SIA 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 has experience in judicial review actions against the police, including for failure to interview and charge suspects. He has also acted in judicial reviews against charging decisions and civil claims in malicious prosecution.
Notable Cases
R v M.B. (2023) Inner London Crown Court
Led by Hossain Zahir KC for the Defence of a man charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child. The Crown alleged that M.B. had allowed the death of his 11-week-old daughter and failed to obtain medical attention for her once she had sustained a catalogue of injuries including a skull fracture. M.B. was acquitted on all counts. Instructed by Mary Monson Solicitors.
R v L.N. (2023) Preston Crown Court
Defence counsel for a former Premiership footballer charged with offences under sections 353 and 356 of the Insolvency Act 1986. The prosecution alleged that L.N. had sought to defraud his creditors by hiding assets worth £2.175 million from the Insolvency Service and his trustees in bankruptcy. The funds were owned by a company that was held in a trust in Gurnsey for L.N.’s sole benefit. The jury unanimously acquitted L.N. after trial. Instructed by Mary Monson Solicitors.
R v E.B. and others (2023) Woolwich Crown Court
Leading counsel for the Prosecution in a fraud case brought against three defendants accused of committing a sophisticated direct payments fraud over a nine-year period.
P.B. v R (2022) Court of Appeal (on appeal from Southwark Crown Court)
Successful appeal in the "Unaoil" case resulting in the defendant's conviction being quashed with no re-trial ordered. The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal on the basis that material non-disclosure by the SFO meant P.B. did not receive a fair trial. Led by Howard Godfrey QC and instructed by Mary Monson Solicitors.
R v S.P. (2022) Southwark Crown Court
Defending in a six-handed, nine week trial concerning two alleged importations of cocaine and cannabis worth some £3.5 million. S.P. was acquitted of being knowingly concerned in importation and acquitted of possession with intent to supply, despite £45,000 worth of drugs being found by NCA officers in the boot of his car. Instructed by UK Law Solicitors.
R v A.P. (2021-22) Warwick (Loughborough) Crown Court
Led by Hossain Zahir QC for the Defence of a man charged with murder, conspiracy to cause GBH and robbery in a nine-handed trial that took place over 14 weeks. Instructed by Mary Monson Solicitors.
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.
Qualifications
Bar Vocational Course
Graduate Diploma in Law
BA (Hons) First Class
Awards & Prizes
Middle Temple Diplock Scholarship
Middle Temple Colombus International Law Prize
Advocacy Prize, College of Law – Top of year in advocacy
Appointments
Robert sat as a clerk to the Bar Disciplinary and Tribunal Service for two full four-year terms between 2013 and 2020.
Memberships
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple – Diplock Scholar
The Criminal Bar Association
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