BA (Hons), Oxford (First Class), Diploma in Law (City University)
BA (Hons), Oxford (First Class), Diploma in Law (City University)
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Robert Palmer KC is widely recognised as a leader in the fields of public law, regulatory law, EU law and competition law. Legal directories have consistently recommended him, describing him as “incredibly well respected, very practical and brilliant in court”, “very user-friendly and a pleasure to work with, very committed and an agile thinker”. He is rated as “an impressive advocate”, “outstanding in terms of clarity and the succinct way in which he expresses himself”, with a “clear, direct and effective style of advocacy”. His written advocacy is also described as “outstanding”: “his drafting is just phenomenal” and “he is completely immersed in the law, he knows the cases back to front, and he always manages to just nail the point.”
Robert has particular expertise in commercial and regulatory judicial review proceedings in the Administrative Court and Competition Appeal Tribunal. He has appeared on multiple occasions in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and on more than 20 occasions in the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Robert’s wide experience includes work in the telecommunications, energy, financial services, pharmaceutical and aviation sectors. He has considerable experience in public law fields as diverse as areas of environmental law, immigration and asylum law, and human rights law.
Prior to taking silk, Robert was a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel.
In 2021, Robert was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge, sitting in the Queen’s Bench Division. Robert was also previously appointed as a Recorder in 2018.
Robert’s wide-ranging public law practice embraces commercial and regulatory judicial review proceedings in both the Administrative Court and the Competition Appeal Tribunal, in particular in cases involving EU law. He has particular experience in the telecommunications, energy, financial, pharmaceutical and aviation sectors. In addition, he has considerable judicial review experience in the areas of environmental, immigration, and human rights law.
Significant cases include:
“His drafting is just phenomenal.” “He is a very good new silk with good judgement, who doesn’t take bad points.” “He’s incredibly responsive, works very quickly and is good on strategy in complicated cases.” – Chambers UK, 2020
‘‘Intellectually rigorous and a great communicator’’ – Legal 500, 2020 “An excellent barrister who was great in front of the Supreme Court.” – Chambers UK, 2019
Robert has a wide telecommunications practice, including appeals to the Competition Appeal Tribunal under the Communications Act 2013, price control appeals to the Competition Commission, judicial review applications to the Administrative Court, and reference to the Court of Justice of the EU on telecommunications matters. His clients have included BT, Virgin Media, Sky, Microsoft and Capita.
Significant cases include:
“He’s really outstanding in terms of clarity and the succinct way in which he expresses himself.” – Chambers and Partners
“Highly thought of among practitioners, who note his fast-growing reputation in this sector. His practice encompasses judicial review appearances and challenges against regulators.” – Chambers and Partners
“He has strong analytical skills and phenomenal influencing abilities.’’ – Legal 500
Robert has wide experience of energy and utilities regulation, including with respect to emissions trading and other environmental regulation. He has frequently acted in both litigation and advisory roles for regulated companies and regulators alike, drawing on his expertise in commercial and regulatory judicial review, EU law and competition law. He has appeared in Utilities Regulation cases before the Court of Appeal, the Court of Justice of the EU, the Administrative Court, and the Competition Appeal Tribunal, as well as in enforcement hearings held by sectoral regulators. His clients have included British Gas, E.ON, Ecotricity, Solarplicity, Ofgem, Ofwat and the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Significant cases include:
“His drafting is just phenomenal.” “He is a very good new silk with good judgement, who doesn’t take bad points.” “He’s incredibly responsive, works very quickly and is good on strategy in complicated cases.” – Chambers UK, 2020
‘‘He is known for handling regulatory, EU and competition law matters, including in the telecoms sector.’’ – Legal 500, 2020
“He is very direct and is extremely clear and critical in his advice.” “Leads big cases on his own, is very effective as an advocate and is confident and persuasive” – Chambers UK, 2019
Robert has acted in a wide range of environmental judicial review cases. His environmental work is also well informed by considerable experience in planning law.
Significant cases include:
Robert Palmer is ‘excellent’ – Legal 500
Robert Palmer’s ‘technical ability is fantastic and he is incisive in his advice’ – Legal 500
Robert Palmer “offers ‘a level of legal analysis that is extremely clever and to the point; he sees things very clearly and can easily manage all the various elements of a case.’” – Chambers and Partners
Robert’s commercial and regulatory practice frequently involves substantial issues of competition law. He has substantial experience in a wide range of industries, including in particular the energy, financial services, health, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications sectors. His extensive experience in commercial judicial review cases make him ideally placed to pursue statutory appeals against decisions of regulators and the CMA.
Significant cases include:
“Hard-working and good on the detail”
Chambers & Partners, Immigration
“Robert Palmer [is] ‘a fine advocate, who is clear, straightforward and makes points in a punchy and persuasive fashion.’ He has much experience of representing both the government and applicants in the immigration context, and his knowledge is highly valued by instructing solicitors.”
Chambers & Partners, Immigration
Robert has made more than 20 appearances in the Court of Justice of the EU and the General Court of the EU, and has frequently appeared in the domestic courts in cases concerning the application, interpretation or infringement of EU law.
Significant cases include:
“Very authoritative and adaptable.” “His drafting is just phenomenal” and “he is extremely clever and methodical.” – Chambers UK, 2020
‘‘Intellectually rigorous and a great communicator’’ – Legal 500, 2020
Robert acts for both claimants and defendants, handling cases across the full breadth of immigration and nationality work, with particular emphasis on EU freedom of movement law, business immigration and national security work.
Recent work and significant cases include:
“An excellent new silk who has very good judgement.” – Chambers UK, 2020
“An excellent barrister who was great in front of the Supreme Court.” – Chambers UK, 2019
“Robert Palmer [is] ‘a fine advocate, who is clear, straightforward and makes points in a punchy and persuasive fashion.’ He has much experience of representing both the government and applicants in the immigration context, and his knowledge is highly valued by instructing solicitors.” – Chambers & Partners
Administrative & Public Law: “Robert is unflappable and across the material. He is capable of standing up and picking up points at short notice. He has a really sound sense of judgement.” “Robert is very clever and knowledgeable but he has very light advocacy and brings judges along.” “His advocacy is beautiful and the court trusts him. He is so down the line and he makes things very crystal clear.” “Robert is easy to listen to and explains things greatly. It is a joy to watch him and he presents it all so easily.” – Chambers UK, 2025
European Law: “Robert Palmer KC is good at cutting through complex markets and regulatory environments.” – Chambers UK, 2025
Immigration: “He is a really, really excellent performer in court; he has a lot of grace. He is a wonderful advocate.” “Robert is fantastic on his feet. He is a calm and collected and responsive to court questioning. He has good manner with clients as well.” – Chambers UK, 2025
Telecommunications: “Robert’s technical telecoms expertise is top notch. He is very good at his role – pragmatic, user-friendly and accessible. You get a sense of partnership from working with him.” “He is great. He has a calm manner for a KC, which helps in terms of advocacy. Robert is very good with clients because he knows how to frame discussions from the commercial perspective.” – Chambers UK, 2025
Leading Silk in Administrative Law and Human Rights: “A silk with an incredibly powerful brain.” – Legal 500, 2025
Leading Silk in Competition: “Robert is a truly outstanding advocate who is able to quickly distil complex information into comprehensible points.” – Legal 500, 2025
Leading Silk in European Union relations: “Robert has a very clear and accessible style, allied with many years of experience of EU and regulatory law. An impressive and smooth operator.” – Legal 500, 2025
Leading Silk in Telecom Regulation: “Robert is extremely knowledgeable on telecoms with significant experience across different types of disputes. Calm and logical advocacy.” – Legal 500, 2025
Leading Silk in Immigration (Including Business Immigration): “Robert is an extremely impressive and effective advocate. Short to the point and extremely convincing in court, and brilliant on paper.” – Legal 500, 2025
Administrative & Public Law: “He is calm, measured and extremely knowledgeable – a very safe pair of hands.” “Robert is very able and he has been in a number of notable and complex cases.” – Chambers UK, 2024
European Law: “Robert did a great job in a recent judicial review. He is methodical and comprehensive in both his advocacy and advice.” “Robert is outstanding in presenting highly complicated matters in a way that is easy to understand.” – Chambers UK, 2024
Immigration: “He’s a supremely talented advocate. He has very smooth advocacy and is extremely clever.” – Chambers UK, 2024
Telecommunications: “A leading technical expert in telecommunications regulation. He is incredibly pragmatic, able to think through highly complex situations, and someone who gives precise, simple advice in order to achieve solutions. Incredibly user-friendly, helpful and efficient, he very much gets what the business is trying to do.” “Robert gives very clear and calm advice, and is great at understanding the commercial dynamics of a case.” – Chambers UK, 2024
Leading Silk in Administrative Law and Human Rights: ‘‘Robert is outstanding – a brilliant advocate. He is respected by judges and opponents alike.’’ – Legal 500, 2024
Leading Silk in Competition: ‘‘Robert is excellent. He makes himself readily available at very short notice and is always happy for you to float ideas past him. He is genuinely collaborative and a great communicator who quickly gets to the nub of an issue and takes a strategic outlook.’’ – Legal 500, 2024
Leading Silk in EU Law: ‘‘A silk of enormous charm. He has extremely detailed technical knowledge of his area.’’ – Legal 500, 2024
Leading Silk in Telecoms (regulatory): ‘‘Robert has a sharp mind. He is able to get to the crux of a complex issue quickly and navigate through legal and regulatory quagmires in a commercially savvy way.’ – Legal 500, 2024
Leading Silk in Immigration (Including Business Immigration): ‘‘Robert is outstanding and a brilliant advocate. He has first-rate advocacy skills and is respected by judges and opponents alike.’’ – Legal 500, 2024
Administrative & Public Law: “He is really pleasant to work with, responsive and unafraid to take on difficult points.” “He is very thorough in his analysis and able to explain complex issues clearly. He is also attuned to the broader context.” “Robert is hugely respected by opponents and judges alike. He brings gravitas and enormous intellectual clout to his cases.” – Chambers UK, 2023
European Law: “He is one of those barristers who drafts you a pleading which you look at in wonder and consider it a beautiful piece of work.” – Chambers UK, 2023
Immigration: “He is outstanding. Hugely respected by opponents and judges alike. He brings gravitas and enormous intellectual clout to his cases.” – Chambers UK, 2023
Telecommunications: “He is very user-friendly and direct.” “His grasp of commercial strategies is second to none; he provides commercially focused strategic advice.” – Chambers UK, 2023
Leading Silk in Administrative Law and Human Rights: ‘‘Calm and clear-headed in the most complex cases.’’ – Legal 500, 2023
Leading Silk in EU Law: ‘‘A clear structured and persuasive advocacy style, Robert’s technical knowledge is exceptional and judges listen carefully to what he has to say.’’ – Legal 500, 2023
Leading Silk in Telecoms (regulatory): ‘‘His advocacy is clear, structured and persuasive. His technical knowledge is excellent and Judges listen carefully to what he has to say’’ – Legal 500, 2023
Leading Silk in Immigration (Including Business Immigration): ‘‘Calm and clear-headed in the most complex cases.’’ – Legal 500, 2023
Recommended in Competition, Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2022
Recommended in Telecoms, Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2022
Administrative & Public Law: “He is an incredibly smart barrister who is great to work with.” “He has excellent attention to detail and is very knowledgeable on procurement and public law matters.” – Chambers UK, 2022
European Law: “A proper EU lawyer, clever and knowledgeable across the breadth of EU law.” “An outstanding barrister. He did a good job of persuading the judge to come on side, despite the case having very difficult issues.” – Chambers UK, 2022
Immigration: “He is a very high-calibre counsel and an excellent advocate.” “He is very skilled and articulate; razor-sharp, proficient and a delight to work with.” – Chambers UK, 2022
Telecommunications: “His sector knowledge is second to none.” “He is good at evaluating the strength of different arguments. He also thinks laterally and will think about different ways to approach an issue.”- Chambers UK, 2022
Leading Silk in Administrative & Public Law: ‘‘A pleasure to work with, impeccable attention to detail.’’ – Legal 500, 2022
Leading Silk in Immigration (Including Business Immigration): ‘‘A highly accomplished practitioner who delivers with clarity and composure both when advising clients and when delivering submissions in court or tribunal ’’ – Legal 500, 2022
Leading Silk in EU Law – Legal 500, 2022
Leading Silk in Telecoms (regulatory) – Legal 500, 2022
Administrative & Public Law: “His written work is outstanding. He is completely immersed in the law, he knows the cases back to front, and he always manages to just nail the point.” “He has the ear of the judge because he doesn’t try to showboat by making cheap points but gets to the heart of the matter.” – Chambers UK, 2021
Immigration: “He is extremely bright and fair, and a very warm advocate – he pitches it exactly where the courts will take it.” “He is incredibly well respected, very practical and brilliant in court.” – Chambers UK, 2021
Telecommunications: “Very user-friendly and a pleasure to work with, he is very committed and an agile thinker. He has an excellent understanding of telecommunications regulation.” “Extremely good, very thorough, an excellent lawyer, and a very good advocate. He is good on his feet.”- Chambers UK, 2021
European Law: “Robert’s written work is fantastic; he is completely immersed in the law and knows the cases back to front.” “He is able to persuade the court even in the most difficult cases.” – Chambers UK, 2021
New Silk in Administrative & Public Law: ‘‘Intellectually rigorous and a great communicator.’’ – Legal 500, 2021
New Silk in Competition: ‘‘A great communicator’’ – Legal 500, 2021
New Silk in EU Law: ‘‘Intellectually rigorous and a great communicator’’ – Legal 500, 2021
New Silk in Telecoms (regulatory): ‘‘An agile thinker who is committed, user-friendly and a pleasure to work with.’’ – Legal 500, 2021
New Silk in Immigration (including business immigration): ‘‘A highly accomplished practitioner who delivers with clarity and composure both when advising clients and when delivering submissions in court or tribunal.’’ – Legal 500, 2021
Administrative & Public Law: “His drafting is just phenomenal.” “He is a very good new silk with good judgement, who doesn’t take bad points.” “He’s incredibly responsive, works very quickly and is good on strategy in complicated cases.” – Chambers UK, 2020
Immigration: “An excellent new silk who has very good judgement.” – Chambers UK, 2020
Telecommunications: “He is very good at adjusting his style for his audience” and is “someone who is really robust in his thinking.”- Chambers UK, 2020
European Law: “Very authoritative and adaptable.” “His drafting is just phenomenal” and “he is extremely clever and methodical.” – Chambers UK, 2020
New Silk in Administrative and public law (including local government): ‘‘Intellectually rigorous and a great communicator’’ – Legal 500, 2020
New Silk in Competition: ‘‘A great communicator’’ – Legal 500, 2020
New Silk in EU Law: ‘‘Intellectually rigorous and a great communicator’’ – Legal 500, 2020
New Silk in Telecoms (regulatory): ‘‘He is known for handling regulatory, EU and competition law matters, including in the telecoms sector.’’ – Legal 500, 2020
New Silk in Immigration (including business immigration): ‘‘One of the best counsel used by the secretary of state in the field of immigration.’’ – Legal 500, 2020
Administrative & Public Law: “An impressive advocate.” “An excellent public law junior whose written and oral advocacy often has the elegance and clarity of a QC.” – Chambers UK, 2019
Immigration: “An excellent barrister who was great in front of the Supreme Court.” – Chambers UK, 2019
Telecommunications: “He is very direct and is extremely clear and critical in his advice.” “Leads big cases on his own, is very effective as an advocate and is confident and persuasive.” “In case management conferences he is calm, measured and forensic..”- Chambers UK, 2019
Leading junior in Administrative and public law (including local government) – Leading juniors: ‘‘His arguments are very well constructed and he has strong tactical skills’’ – Legal 500, 2018
Leading junior in EU Law: ‘‘His legal analysis is very strong. His written arguments are well constructed and he has strong tactical skills.’’ – Legal 500, 2018
Leading junior in Telecoms (regulatory): ‘‘He has strong analytical skills and phenomenal influencing abilities.’’ – Legal 500, 2018
Leading junior in Immigration (including business immigration): ‘‘One of the best counsel for immigration matters; he is both fair and expert.’’ – Legal 500, 2018
Administrative & Public Law: “An excellent public law junior, whose written and oral advocacy often has the elegance and clarity of a QC.” – Chambers UK, 2018
Immigration: “He has fantastic judgement.” “He does a very good job on his feet and he’s very effective.” – Chambers UK, 2018
Telecommunications: “A good all-rounder on telecom disputes,” who “can deliver difficult messages in a pleasant and measured way.”- Chambers UK, 2018
Leading junior in Administrative and public law (including local government) – Leading juniors: ‘‘Unflustered, well-prepared and client-friendly.’’ – Legal 500, 2017
Leading junior in Telecoms (regulatory): ‘‘He combines an incisive mind with a clear and courteous courtroom manner.’’ – Legal 500, 2017
Leading junior in Immigration (including business immigration): ‘‘A very pleasant opponent and very much liked by his clients.’’ – Legal 500, 2017
Administrative & Public Law: “An excellent public law junior whose written and oral advocacy often has the elegance and clarity of a QC.” “Very impressive, with great clarity and a deep understanding of the application of law. His presentation is always clear and concise.” – Chambers UK, 2017
Immigration: “Highly skilled advocate, he has handled complex, flagship immigration cases.” – Chambers UK, 2017
Telecommunications: “His technical skill and knowledge of competition and EU law are very good.” “He’s a very highly thought-of junior who will continue to thrive.” – Chambers UK, 2017
Leading junior in Administrative and public law: “Calm, commercial and willing to engage as part of a team.” – Legal 500, 2016
Leading junior in Telecoms (regulatory): “A highly accomplished practitioner, who delivers with clarity and composure.” – Legal 500, 2016
Leading junior in Immigration: “Regularly acts unled for the Home Office in major cases.” – Legal 500, 2016
Telecommunications: “The most highly regarded barrister in this chapter, according to our research, reflecting his “excellent work” is this area. With a fantastic reputation in the industry, clients “couldn’t wish for a more skilled advocate”. – WHO’S WHO LEGAL (WWL) UK BAR 2016
Administrative and Public Law: “A very calm and cool advocate with excellent knowledge of European law.” “His preparation is first-class, he’s client-friendly and sticks to his guns.”- Chambers UK, 2016
Immigration Law: “He is an excellent lawyer, mostly doing national security cases.” – Chambers UK, 2016
Telecommunications: “He’s a very thoughtful and persuasive advocate.” “He grasps the issues and reduces them to the simple and practical.”- Chambers UK, 2016
“Very clear written and oral advice.” Leading Junior in Administrative and Public Law. Legal 500, 2015
“Highly regarded for his broad regulatory practice.” Leading Junior in Telecoms Law. Legal 500, 2015
“Excellent preparation and presentation.” Leading Junior in Immigration Law. Legal 500, 2015
Administrative & Public Law: “He is an excellent public law junior whose written and oral advocacy often has the elegance and clarity of a QC.” “He is excellent – he can do any area of public law.” – Chambers UK, 2015
Recommended as a Leading Junior in Immigration – Chambers UK, 2015
Telecommunications: “He’s really outstanding in terms of clarity and the succinct way in which he expresses himself.” – Chambers UK, 2015
‘Outstanding written and oral advocacy.’ Rob Palmer is a recommended leading Junior under Administrative and Public Law – Legal 500, 2014
‘Acts for both claimants and defendants.’ Rob Palmer is a recommended leading Junior in Immigration Law – Legal 500, 2014
Under Telecommunications Law: Highly thought of among practitioners, who note his fast-growing reputation in this sector. His practice encompasses judicial review appearances and challenges against regulators.“An impressive junior, who is able to hold his own in court in complex and difficult cases.” Chambers UK, 2014
Robert Palmer is ranked under Immigration. “Hard-working and good on the detail.”Chambers UK, 2014
“Robert Palmer, who is ‘highly intelligent’ and ‘able to see the bigger picture’, is recommended,” under Administrative and Public Law. Legal 500, 2013
“Robert Palmer, who has ‘reached a level of expertise in the sector that rivals that of many QCs’;” is a recommended leading Junior in Telecommunications Law. Legal 500, 2013
Robert Palmer is also recommended as a leading Junior in Planning Law and Immigration Law. Legal 500, 2013
“Robert Palmer, “a fine advocate, who is clear, straightforward and makes points in a punchy and persuasive fashion.” He has much experience of representing both the government and applicants in the immigration context, and his knowledge is highly valued by instructing solicitors.” Chambers UK, 2013
Robert Palmer is a recommended leading junior in Administrative and Public Law. Legal 500, 2012
Robert Palmer is a recommended leading junior in Immigration Law. Legal 500, 2012
Robert Palmer is a recommended leading junior in Planning Law. Legal 500, 2012
Robert Palmer is a recommended leading junior in Pubic & Administrative Law. Legal 500, 2011
In Education Robert Palmer is recommended as a leading junior. Legal 500, 2011
Legal 500, 2011 states in Environment, that Robert Palmer is ‘excellent’.”
Immigration (including business immigration) recommends Robert Palmer as a leading junior. Legal 500, 2011
Legal 500, 2011 recommends Robert Palmers as a leading junior in Planning.
Robert gained a first class honours degree at St. John’s College, Oxford in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (1996), and was elected 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.
Robert is a member of the Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA) and the Bar European Group (BEG).
He was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2021, and sits in the Queen’s Bench Division. He was previously appointed as a Recorder on the South Eastern Circuit in 2018.