Robert Oakley

The go-to for contentious matters, particularly funding and contractual disputes

Legal 500 2022
I just wanted to thank you again for all your help, support and excellent strategic advice in achieving the best possible outcome during what was a really difficult time for us.

Client feedback
Recommended as a key lawyer in sport law

Legal 500 2022
Thank you for your advice and hard work throughout this journey… You always made me feel very comfortable and I was confident in our result throughout

Client feedback
Many, many thanks for achieving such a great outcome and for your diligence and tenacity along the way!

Client feedback
Thank you all for your work…great result…

Client feedback
Thank you again for all your hard work and good advice.

Client feedback
I want to thank you sincerely for all of the help and support that you have provided in getting things to this point. It has been invaluable.

Client feedback
Thanks for steering us through this process so professionally…it was nice to work with you

Client feedback
Many thanks again for your help, as usual the advice you give is always top notch

Client feedback
Thank you for your time, expertise and support.

Client feedback
Thank you very much for your expert guidance

Client feedback
“We are very grateful for all your assistance which has been a crucial element in dealing with this case"

Client feedback
“I was (and am still) very appreciative of the time, expertise and advice you gave me"

Client feedback
Many thanks for all your efforts to date. It is really appreciated...

Client feedback
I want to thank you and your team very sincerely for all the help and support you gave us through this very difficult time...

Client feedback
Thank you - I very much appreciate your expert guidance and the speed with which you acted

Client feedback
It was a pleasure working with you...I am pleased with the result - justice done

Client feedback
It is good to have worked with you and the wider team; you most certainly deserve your reputation as a leading charity law firm

Client feedback
Thank you for your assistance on the project - the excellent outcome speaks for itself

Client feedback
Fantastic result and job really well done…thank you for your and your team’s hard work

Client feedback
Very impressive...Thanks again, you were most helpful.

Client feedback
Cracking result…an excellent job, well done!

Client feedback
A superb result - thank you again

Client feedback

Experience

I am Head of Bates Wells’ Dispute Resolution Team. I help commercial organisations, charities, regulatory bodies, and individuals avoid and resolve disputes in a commercially sensitive and pragmatic way.

Mindful of reputational, cost and other relevant considerations, my team and I work closely with our clients to resolve many disputes before proceedings are commenced at Court. But I also represent clients robustly before the High Court, County Court and Higher Courts, in Arbitrations, Adjudications, and other dispute resolution forums, including Mediation. I am also regularly appointed by the Court as a Supervising Solicitor.

Intellectual Property Claims

I successfully bring and defend claims for injunctions and awards of damages and legal costs in trade mark, passing off, copyright infringement and other intellectual property claims, including for membership bodies, Awarding Organisations and commercial businesses.
Governance, Membership and Shareholder Disputes

I advise the boards and members / shareholders of many organisations in relation to internal governance and external disputes.
Director Disqualification Proceedings

I have acted for a number of directors and trustees in high profile DDQ proceedings in the High Court
Procurement Challenges

I advised a well-known construction company (and other clients) on a number of high value High Court claims against local authorities for breaches of procurement regulations, resulting in disqualified clients being permitted to tender, substantial settlement damages payments for our client and/or the procurements being re-run.
Fraud and Asset recovery

I obtain and advise on disputes involving injunctive relief, search and asset freezing orders, delivery up and evidence preservation orders
Contested trusts, probate and legacy disputes

I help resolve legacy disputes which have involved complex intellectual property rights issues, shares in private companies and other challenges to Wills

I advise on partnership and Shareholder disputes.
I regularly advise on a wide variety of commercial contractual disputes, grant and other funding related disputes.
I help numerous charities and other organisations deal with a range of challenges with regulatory bodies such as the Charity Commission
I advise on a range of enforcement options and how best to enforce legal rights.