Name

Inn

Date of Call
Silk

Robin Tolson Q.C.

Middle Temple

November 1980
2001

Robin is a Deputy High Court Judge and a Recorder sitting in crime, civil and family cases, including public law. He took silk in 2001 and specialises in childcare and human rights. He chaired the Jordans Family Law conference in 2004 and was a speaker
at both the 2005 conferences. He spoke at the 2005 national FLBA conference on "Non-Accidental Head Injury".

In 2007 Robin was elected Leader of the Western Circuit.

Notable cases within the last 12 months include:

Appearing in the European Court of
Human Rights for Natallie Evans in the frozen stored embryo case (reported domestically at [2004] EWCA Civ 727; [2004] 2 FLR 766 and elsewhere);

C v UK a case admitted in Europe challenging the present domestic adoption system;

Re: W (Removal into Care) [2005] EWCA Civ 642; [2005] 2 FLR 1022 - a Court of Appeal decision on the bringing of a human rights challenge following the making of a care order;

A County Council v DP; RS; BS (by the Children's Guardian) [2005] 2 FLR 1031. A decision relating to the circumstances in which it is permissible to pursue public law proceedings notwithstanding that no public law order is sought.

Six other high profile public law trials involving children.

He participated in a Channel 4 docu-drama ("Born with 2 Mothers") broadcast on 17th March, 2005 concerning an IVF mix-up in which he featured as counsel for one of the mothers, played by Oscar-nominated actress Sophie Okonedo. This cutting-edge programme dealt with the current legal issues in an innovative way and has since been distributed in the USA.

He appeared for the children in Re: S; Re: W [2002] UKHL 10; [2002] 1 FLR 815 and elsewhere - the starred care plan case;

Robin lives in Devon with his wife and their two daughters.

Quote from 'Chambers & Partners Guide to The Legal Profession 2006'
(Leaders at the Bar/Notable Practitioners):

"Very articulate and very committed, he is also popular with clients".