Rob Fell

Partner

Rob is a partner in the Dispute Resolution Department and a member of the firm's International Board.

He is a highly experienced commercial litigator with a broad practice covering a wide range of contentious work. Rob has been litigating in the London market for more than 25 years, specialising in the most complex commercial cases passing through the Commercial Court and Chancery Division. The subject matter of these cases is necessarily varied, but always complex. It ranges from cases both for and against investment banks and other financial intermediaries, through to subject matters such as film finance schemes and infrastructure projects.

Rob's practice is international in scope, and he regularly co-counsels with disputes lawyers in the United States, mainland Europe, the Middle East, and other key jurisdictions.

Rob is a founding member of the firms' Investigations Group and leads on some of the firm's clients' most sensitive internal and regulatory investigations, many of which emerged following the financial crisis.

Rob is in the Hall of Fame for Commercial Litigation: Premium and a Leading Partner for Banking Litigation and Financial Services: Contentious in the 2025 Legal 500 Guide. He is also a leading partner in the individual rankings for Chambers & Partners.

WORK HIGHLIGHTS

Advising a large financial institution in negligence and/or breach of contract claims against two service providers in relation to a debt capital markets arrangement.

Acting for the Defendants in Andrew Cole & Others v Scion Limited & Others in the Business List of the Business and Property Courts in relation to claims arising from investments in film finance schemes.

Leading the Travers Smith team advising (with Lord Grabiner QC) the Oversight Committee of the Bank of England in connection with its investigation into the role of Bank officials in relation to conduct issues in the foreign exchange market.

Acting in the defence of s. 90 FSMA securities claims (for hundreds of £millions) brought by institutional investors against Glencore and certain of its former officers, in relation to alleged misstatements and omissions, said to have covered up corrupt activities, in Glencore’s IPO prospectus.

Leading the Travers Smith team, with Lucy Jay, advising Macquarie Capital (Europe) Limited in connection with its successful Commercial Court claim for financial advisory fees against Nordsee Offshore MEG I GmbH.

Acting for the former CEO of Nomura International plc in relation to criminal and regulatory proceedings brought in Italy against him and others for false accounting, market manipulation and obstruction of a regulator in respect of complex derivative trades.

Rob Fell - everything you would want in a City litigator. At the top of the pile for any dispute.

Rob Fell - a consummate litigator, experienced and trusted by GCs and Boards to deliver advice on the most difficult and sensitive issues.

Rob Fell is absolutely superb and runs a team on a big case beautifully. He's an incredibly clever, is one of the most experienced financial services litigators in the market and has a detailed knowledge of both the industry and the law in this area. He’s a terrific strategist, and a brilliant negotiator.

Rob Fell leads an excellent team and is a master of managing difficult litigation and tricky issues. He has really good commercial sense and great judgement when it comes to litigation.

Rob Fell is a commanding, confidence-inspiring team leader and superb with clients.