Barrister Profile

Profile

Rob’s practice has three major strands:

(i) mainstream personal injury work in cases of serious injury or fatality;

(ii) clinical negligence claims at all levels;

(iii) instructions as junior counsel in catastrophic injury claims.

The majority of his work is for claimants.

Recommendations 

Robert Hunter is an “exceptionally promising junior" who "sees the woods from the trees in getting to the issues at the heart of a case".
 - Legal 500 (2011)

Robert Hunter has “a ferocious work rate and superb analytical skills”.
 - Legal 500 (2010)

Robert Hunter's "abilities and qualities add to the strength-in-depth of Devereux Chambers". 
 - Legal 500 (2009)

Some Cases of Interest

• Wood v Hatch (2010) Junior Counsel for Claimant in catastrophic brain injury claim settled in May.  Complex issues of causation and quantum compromised.  Terms of modified Peter’s undertaking litigated and resolved in Claimant’s favour. Led by Robert Glancy QC.
• Harvey v Plymouth City Council [2010] EWCA Civ 860 Junior Counsel for Claimant in catastrophic injury claim in occupiers' liability.  Successful at first instance but overturned by the Court of Appeal.  Little comfort that Rob's hypothetical "impudent banister-slider" immortalised in the judgment. Led by Stephen Killalea QC.
• Barber v Nuthal (2010) Successful appeal to the High Court against dismissal of RTA claim by a Recorder.  Judgment on appeal for 100% of the claim.
• A number of tragic clinical negligence cases on behalf of parents following neonatal or postnatal bereavement, some resolved, some ongoing.
• Junior Counsel in several ongoing catastrophic injury claims.

Areas of Practice

Personal Injury

Rob accepts instructions in almost all areas of personal injury work.  He is presently instructed in accidents at work, industrial disease litigation, accidents at sea and abroad (he is comfortable with jurisdictional points), and various public liability claims.  He has particular expertise in fatal accident claims.

Rob has a busy road traffic practice.  He is involved in accidents that have led to fatality, amputation, or other serious injury, or where there are issues relating to the liability of the MIB or road traffic insurer.

Another area of expertise is international travel, especially group actions where Rob enjoys rolling up his sleeves and working in a team with his Solicitors. 

Rob has received instructions on behalf of high earning claimants.  Recent clients have included a Pilot, Consultant Surgeon and Investment Banker.

Rob does not accept instructions in claims with a value below £25,000, unless there is a particularly interesting point of law or procedure.  He does not accept Highways Act claims.  He would expect to act without a leader in the vast majority of sub-catastrophic cases. 

Clinical Negligence

In clinical negligence, Rob has acted in medical and dental claims.  His cases have tended to involve allegations of gynaecological, gastroenterological, oncological errors or the negligence of a general practitioner.

The majority of Rob's clinical negligence work has a value of between £25,000 and £500,000.  He also acts in lower value claims where there is complexity or tragedy such as neonatal or postnatal bereavement.

Professional Negligence

A small but significant part of Rob's practice is acting in personal injury claims which went awry due to the alleged negligence of previous legal representatives.

Attitude

Rob likes to think of himself as a modern type of barrister.  He makes a point of being available to his clients by telephone and email.  He would not think twice about attending a solicitor's office or, where appropriate, a client's home for a conference.

Lectures and Publications

Rob is answerable for the pleadings division in Butterworth's Personal Injury Litigation Service and is also involved in an online service for personal injury practitioners, LexisPSL.  Rob wrote a large number of sections, including guidance on RTAs, Animals Act claims, and all practice notes on quantum.

Rob lectures when invited.  Last year he delivered a 3-part series on quantum.  This year he has spoken on fatal accidents, disclosure, brain injury (in a clincial negligence context) and covert surveillance.  Appropriately enough, the latter was the subject of his first webinar.

Professional Membership

APIL
PIBA

Gray's Inn - Approved Pupil Supervisor

Education

Bar Vocational Course (Manchester)
BA Hons Law and Government from the University of Manchester

Awards

Lee Essay Competition Winner (Pupillage)
Steen Award from Gray's Inn (BVC)
RG Donaldson Award (University)

Other Interests

Continuing obsession with live jazz - conferences between 11^th and 20^th November 2011 (London Jazz Festival) can be expected to finish promptly. 

Otherwise, Rob is keen on economics and fresh air.