Robert Smallwood

Practice Areas

Robert was called to the Bar in 1994 and has been Deputy Head of the No5 Personal Injury Group since 2021.

Robert’s practice is split equally between Claimant and Defendant instructions, specialising in complex and high value personal injury cases. He is particularly experienced in cases with complex medical, quantum, reconstruction or accountancy evidence.

Robert’s experience and practice is such that he is often instructed against and as an alternative to leading counsel.

Over the past 12 months Robert has been instructed in cases involving:

• The full range of traumatic brain injuries;

• Capacity issues;

• Spinal injuries, including tetraplegia and paraplegia claims;

• Amputations, including transfemoral, transtibial and transhumeral claims;

• Polytrauma;

• Functional Neurological Disorder, psychiatric and/or chronic pain disorders;

• Fundamental dishonesty and fraud

• Fatal accidents with interesting dependency issues.

Seminars

Robert regularly lectures and provides workshops for solicitors and insurers. Over the past year he has presented on the following topics:

• Future Proofing Claims In Catastrophic Litigation

• Maximising Damages in Catastrophic Cases

• Amputations and Prosthetics- Maximising the Claim

• Fundamental Dishonesty

• Accommodation Claims post Swift v Carpenter

• Loss of Earnings Claims and the Ogden Tables

What the Directories say

Robert is ranked as a Tier 1/ Band 1 ‘Leading Junior’ in both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK. The most recent directory entries have included the following strengths:

"Robert has fantastic attention to detail that makes a real difference in complex cases. He is superb in conference with experts and very robust in JSMs with opponents. His trial advocacy is best in class." Legal 500 2025

“…has attention to detail, a first-class trial advocate and a great manner with clients. He is very strong in conferences with witnesses and experts. He gives robust and pragmatic commercial advice.” Legal 500 2024

“ …is brilliant on the detail and tactical planning. He is great with clients and experts and a forceful advocate.” “…a tenacious litigator when on his feet but equally good on paper.” “He has fantastic attention to detail, is very strong in conference with witnesses and experts, and has a good manner with clients.” Chambers UK 2024

“… a phenomenal operator, capable of dealing with the highest value cases.” Legal 500 2023

“… a tenacious advocate. Robert is excellent. He is strong on detail.” Chambers UK 2023

“Very in-depth analysis of any matters related to the claim. Gets on well with clients and puts them at ease very quickly” Legal 500 2022

“His attention to detail, ability to communicate well with claimants and his willingness to go the extra mile make him stand out.” Chambers UK 2022

“He combines excellent negotiation skills with a very good client manner and willingness to fight in difficult cases. Regularly appears opposite silks without a leader.” Legal 500 2021

“Thorough, excellent on his feet and very good with clients. He is unflappable in court and excellent in cross-examination. His paperwork, attention to detail and ability to master complex expert evidence is consistently exemplary.” Chambers UK 2021.

Career

Qualifications: LLB (Hons)

Professional Memberships

Robert is a member of PIBA and APIL.

Personal

In his spare time, when not stood on the sidelines watching his two children play sport, Robert is a keen golfer and skier.