Robert has a wealth of experience acting for firms and individuals in all aspects of Solicitors’ Professional Discipline & Regulation. Robert’s primary work consists of providing defence representation in SRA investigations and SDT proceedings, early engagement with the SRA (self-reports) and advising firms, compliance officers and individuals on compliance, and regulatory issues arising in partnership and other disputes. Robert also acts in professional indemnity insurance coverage investigations and provides Successor Practice advice.
Robert also has experience acting for barristers in proceedings brought by the Bar Standards Board, Legal Executives in CILEx Regulation investigations, Licensed Conveyancers before the CLC Adjudication Panel, taxation professionals (CIOT/ATT) appearing before the Taxation Disciplinary Board tribunal, and before the Conduct Committee of the House of Lords.
Robert is co-author of The Solicitor’s Handbook (Law Society Publishing) and writes Practice Notes for Practical Law’s ‘Law Firm Practice Compliance & Management’ provision (Thomson Reuters). He has delivered a number of seminars and webinars on Solicitors Regulation, Professional Discipline & Professional Indemnity Insurance for, among others, The Law Society and MBL Seminars, and has written for Practical Law, Lexis, The Law Society Gazette and other legal journals.
Robert qualified as a solicitor in 1997.
Appointments, Associations and Memberships
Robert sits on The Law Society’s Regulatory Processes Committee, has sat on the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal’s Users Group and was appointed as external advisor to the SRA Compensation Arrangements Review 2012-2014 to give insight from a Defence Practitioner’s perspective. He is a member of the Solicitors Assistance Scheme and the Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers.
Client Testimonials
Chambers UK 2026 Professional Discipline
Robert Forman possesses a strong reputation within the legal services regulatory sector due to his excellent track record of defending legal professionals in SDT proceedings. He is also adept at helping firms avoid SRA intervention following solicitor misconduct. Whether you are facing a high-stakes legal matter or simply need trusted advice, Robert is someone you would want in your corner. Robert is good on detail, conscientious and vastly experienced. He gets good results and knows the culture and the spirit of the SRA as well as the rules.
Legal 500 2026 UK Professional Discipline
Focuses on and is experienced in defending solicitors and other legal professionals facing regulatory investigations and disciplinary proceedings. … known for representing not just individuals, but also prominent firms facing proceedings. Robert Forman … regularly appear[s] before the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal, acting for clients in a range of matters. Robert Forman is a leader in his field. He wrote the textbook on solicitors’ regulation, and he knows what he is doing.’ ‘Incredibly knowledgeable and experienced in proceedings before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.’
Examples of some of Robert’s recent cases:
- SDT : S v SRA [2025] Appeal against SRA imposed s.43 Order – s.43 Order quashed and SRA ordered to pay costs. Rulings obtained, despite SRA opposition, that costs follow the event in such appeals and that SRA Adjudicators are not independent.
- SDT : SRA v K [2025] Proceedings brought by SRA following Daily Mail sting into immigration firm. All allegations dismissed.
- SRA : SRA v Q [2025] Sexual misconduct investigation closed with no further action.
- SRA : SRA v S [2025] Firm acting without authorisation – investigation closed with no further action.
- SRA : SRA v N [2025] Bullying investigation closed with no further action.
- Advice [2025] : Written advice issued to leading class action firm to avoid misconduct arising as a result of a funder’s direction
- SRA : [2025] Self-report on behalf of top 100 firm concerning systemic SRA Accounts Rules breaches