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 & Partners 2025 – ‘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. “Robert always delivers an excellent level of service and understanding of what is required.” “Robert’s warm, non-judgemental manner, combined with a shrewd and insightful intellect made a troubling time slightly more bearable.” “Robert has great knowledge of the law. He is a details person and hits the nail on the head quickly.”
Legal 500 2025 – ‘… highly experienced, gives clear and prompt advice in often very nuanced and sensitive cases, and works as a fantastic extension of clients’ teams.’ ‘Robert Forman [is] highly experienced and ha[s] real insight into what the Regulator will expect to see.’ ‘Robert Forman is absolutely brilliant in this area of regulatory law. There is nothing he does not know and no problem he cannot solve.’
Examples of some of Robert’s recent cases:
SDT : A v Magic circle firm [2024] Drafting pleading of allegations in private prosecution to be issued at the SDT
SRA : SRA v A [2024} SRA investigation following judicial complaint closed with no further action.
House of Lords Conduct Committee [2024] : Conduct Committee reduces recommended period of suspension for Lord following representations.
SRA : SRA v B [2024] Successful appeal against SRA decision to impose a Fixed Financial Penalty on a firm
SRA : SRA v L [2024] SRA reverses decision following finding that firm breached Sanctions regulations.
SRA : SRA v J [2023] SRA investigation of solicitor concluded with no further action following complaint of sexual misconduct
SRA : SRA v F [2023] SRA investigation of firm concluded with no further action following complaint of dishonesty by LeO.
SRA : SRA v A [2023] Written advice to firm enabling them to act contrary to the direction of the flawed decision of the SRA
SRA : SRA v H [2023] SRA investigation of firm concluded with no further action following complaint of having misled a court and serious litigation misconduct
SRA : SRA v I [2023] SRA investigation of solicitor concluded with no further action following complaint of breach of undertaking.