Robert Venables KC
Honorary Fellow
Robert Venables, who studied Literae Humaniores at Merton College in 1966, followed by Jurisprudence from 1970 to 1972, was the Hall’s Tutor in Jurisprudence from 1975 to 1980 when he left the position in order to take up full-time practice at the Revenue Bar in London. He took silk ten years later.
He was elected Chairman of the Revenue Bar Association in 2001 and is a Master of the Bench of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple.
As an adjunct to his practice at the Bar, Robert lectures extensively and has written scores of books on technical legal topics. His work is largely advisory and he finds that conducting a Consultation is very similar to conducting an Oxford seminar – the only difference being that, since they are paying rather more for his services, those attending are rather more attentive!
Robert’s clients range from entrepreneurs to celebrities, from nobility to politicians, and from FTSE 100 companies to charities. On those occasions when he is in court, Robert has found the Oxford tutorial system to be the best possible preparation for thinking on one’s feet – or rather, pretending to, because nothing succeeds better in advocacy than preparation, preparation, and preparation. One main drawback of an advisory practice, however, is that confidentiality owed to clients prevents the barrister from discussing it publically.
