Robert took a BA (Hons) Law at Durham and was called at Inner Temple in 1991.
He was appointed a Recorder in 2009 and elected as the MP for Swindon South in 2010.
He was a pupil and tenant at Iscoed Chambers, Swansea, where he practised in General Common Law with a heavy emphasis on criminal work until 1999.
In that year, he moved to Cardiff, specialising in crime and confiscation proceedings. Robert has been a member of the Attorney-General´s panel of junior Crown Counsel for the Wales and Chester Circuit since 1999, and in 2006 was appointed to the "A" List of junior Crown Counsel for Circuit.
Robert is a Grade 4 Prosecutor. Robert has maintained a lively defence practice, acting as leading junior on several occasions in recent years. He undertakes VHCC work.
Robert writes regular articles for the Solicitors Journal and has been invited to lecture by the Law Society of Wales on several occasions, dealing with topics such as criminal procedure and planning enforcement proceedings.
Robert is a former officer of the Wales and Chester Circuit and is Co-ordinator of the Wales heats of the Bar Schools Mock Trials Competition.
He is a member of the Criminal Bar Association.