Robert Palmer

BA (Hons), Oxford (First Class), Diploma in Law (City University)
Call date: 1998

Summary

Robert gained a first class honours degree at St. John's College, Oxford in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (1996), and was President of the Oxford Union (1995). He obtained a Diploma in Law with commendation at City University (1997). At Bar School, he came first in his year and was awarded the Scarman Scholarship, with a grade of "Outstanding" (1998). He was also awarded the Macaskie Award (1998), a Prince of Wales Scholarship (1997) and a Karmel Award (1996) by Gray's Inn. He was appointed to the Attorney General's Junior Counsel to the Crown (B Panel) in 2007, and before that to the C Panel in 2002. He joined Monckton Chambers at the beginning of 2009, after ten years' practice at 4-5 Gray's Inn Square.

Overview

Robert Palmer is an experienced litigator in the fields of EC, human rights, and public law. He has particular expertise in environmental, immigration and employment law, and has considerable experience in the Administrative Court and Court of Appeal.

He is a member of the Attorney General's B Panel.

Recent cases

Public law/human rights

  • RB and U (Algeria) v Home Secretary [2009] UKHL 10: House of Lords challenge to the deportation of suspected terrorists to Algeria with governmental assurances as to respect for their human rights.
  • R (S, H and Q) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 142: abuse of power in failing to remedy administrative mistakes in the handling of asylum applications
  • Bigia & Ors v Entry Clearance Officer [2009] EWCA Civ 79: compatibility of regulations on European citizens' family members' rights of entry and residence in the United Kingdom with the European Citizens' Directive.

Environmental law

  • Peters v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government [2009] EWHC 1125 (Admin): effect of Habitat Regulations and Waddenzee on provision of "SANGS" to mitigate effects of housing
  • Parker & Ors v Nottinghamshire County Council & Anor [2009] EWHC 229 (Admin): compatibility of canal towpath with existence of public footway
  • R (Western Power Distribution Ltd) v Countryside Council for Wales [2007] EWHC 50 (Admin): acted for a developer challenging the decision to notify its land as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

European law

  • Sonmez v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 582: extent and effect of EC "abuse of rights" doctrine
  • Romantiek Transport BVBA v VOSA [2008] EWCA Civ 534: effect of EC Regulations on road haulage operators licensed in the EU operating in the UK

Employment law

  • English v Thomas Sanderson Ltd [2008] EWCA Civ 1421: concerned the compatibility of the Sexual Orientation Regulations 2003 with the Equal Treatment Framework Directive.
  • Hay v Surrey County Council [2007] EWCA Civ 93: concerned the extent of the obligation on employers to carry out reasonable adjustments within the context of disability discrimination.

Procurement

  • B2Net -v- HM Treasury (sued as Buying Solutions) [2010] EWHC 51 (QB)