Robert M O Jones

Practice Areas

Robert has over 30 years' experience in commercial dispute resolution and was national head of the practice area until May 2017. He has extensive experience of complex commercial contract disputes, Commercial Court and TCC work, insolvency matters, partnership disputes, property disputes and ADR. He has undertaken mediations for clients for over twenty-five years and has undertaken mediator training.

Robert works closely and regularly with Corporate clients’ in house General Counsel. Clients span a variety of sectors but include; pharmaceutical, manufacturing, energy, tech to name but a few. Throughout his career he has also acted and continues to act for insurers (principally financial lines) in high value or sensitive cases) and also for financial institutions.

Robert specialises in complex commercial disputes including shareholder disputes, intellectual property issues, data protection, professional negligence and trust and probate disputes. He is engaged in helping clients to pursue recoveries (including in the context of unjust enrichment claims) and, to prevent dissipation of assets and to take preventative and defensive steps arising out of employee breach of restrictive covenants and third-party dishonesty as well as frequently dealing with the reputation management issues for clients in the local and national press and other media including social media.

Rob has also advised on IT issues and disputes concerning IT agreements. In respect of professional negligence, he has, throughout his career, advised insurer clients and their insureds in respect of claims brought against licensed conveyancers and other professionals.

He has provided advice to clients in relation to contracts awarded following a public procurement process and in relation to Judicial Review matters.

In relation to insolvency matters, Rob has experience in dealing with both corporate insolvency actions and all aspects of personal insolvency. He has acted for directors facing claims by office holders and for parties subject to or enforcing personal guarantees. He has advised on RoT claims, undervalue and preference claims and all other manner of corporate disputes.

Robert’s strong client focused relationships are based upon incisive commercial advice at the outset and regular management information tailored to meet the clients’ requirements. He is frequently recommended by other firms of solicitors and counsel to prospective clients.

Robert’s team wone “Litigation Team of the Year” at the 2022 Manchester Legal Awards.

He is listed is a “Ranked Lawyer” for litigation in the 2024 Chambers Directory and has been for several years.

Robert is also ranked in the Legal 500. The 2024 edition comments “A reputed practitioner in the dispute resolution sphere, Robert Jones continues to build an impressive portfolio of high value Inheritance Act claims and will challenges on the grounds of capacity and fraud”.

Robert Jones is 'one of the leading litigators around who has seen and done it all in terms of litigation. Respected by clients and opponents alike and someone you want in your corner if you are facing any heavy and difficult litigation.' 'A strong leader driving a strong team'; he 'grasps issues quickly, and has a pragmatic and commercial approach' - Legal 500.

In 2019, Robert was awarded the Acritas Star, an accolade given to those identified as a client-nominated, stand-out lawyer in private practice.

A recent professional services client commented "A massive thank you to David McGuire and Robert Jones from Weightmans LLP for their efforts over the last few months. I highly recommend these professionals to fight your corner with the peace of mind that you are in a safe pair of hands."