Flora Robertson

Flora is acting for the Class Representatives in these opt-in and opt-out collective proceedings before the CAT in relation to multilateral interchange fees charged by the card schemes. These proceedings have been joined to the Umbrella Interchange Fee Claimants v Mastercard and Visa (1517/11/7/22 (UM)) for the purposes of Trial 2 (judgment in which was handed down on 18 February 2026 - [2026] CAT 11) and the forthcoming Trial 3 on exemption issues under Article 101(3). Flora was instructed in relation to the (successful) revised CPO application and has since attended multiple interlocutory hearings and case management hearings. She was instructed in Trial 2B, and is instructed in relation to Trial 3. Flora is led by Kieron Beal KC and Philip Woolfe KC.

Flora was instructed on behalf of the Adur Claimants, a group of local authorities, in the 'Trucks' litigation arising from the Commission's decisions relating to the alleged trucks cartel. She was instructed in their application for summary judgment / strike out of the Defendants’ pass on defence. The application concerned the novel question of whether there could be pass on in a legal sense from local authorities to the users of their services/residents given that (it was contended) a local authority is not acting as an economic undertaking. The CAT dismissed the application ([2024] CAT 45). Flora was led by Tom de la Mare KC.

Media Saturn claimed for follow-on damages arising out of the LCD Cartel (Decision of the European Commission dated 5 December 2012 in Case COMP/39437 – TV and Monitor Tubes). Flora was instructed with Kieron Beal KC to defend the Defendants’ four-day application for strike out / summary judgment. The Court declined to strike out the competition claims, but ruled that claims based on the economic torts could not proceed to trial.

Representing the Claimant charity in its challenge to the Safety of Rwanda Policy, arguing that the Policy promulgates a fundamental misinterpretation of the Safety of Rwanda Act 2024. The Home Office accepted, at pre-action stage, that parts of the Policy needed to be withdrawn. The claim was stayed pending resolution of urgent individual challenges which adopted the charity’s challenge. Following the General Election of 4 July 2024, the Charity’s claim was stayed pending the new Government’s review of the policy. Flora was led by Charlotte Kilroy KC.

Acting in this challenge to the Safety of Rwanda Policy, which sought to establish the correct interpretation of the Safety of Rwanda Act 2024 (and alternatively, sought a declaration that parts of the Rwanda Act was incompatible with human rights). The claims were settled following the General Election of 4 July 2024: the Home Secretary agreed that the individual claimants would not be removed to Rwanda and that their asylum claims would be considered in the UK. Flora was led by Charlotte Kilroy KC.

Flora was instructed by the intervening party Kalayaan, a charity that works to protect victims of modern slavery. This key case developed the law concerning the application of the "commercial exception" to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, holding it applicable to persons subjected by diplomatic agents to conditions of servitude and modern slavery. Flora was led by Tom Hickman KC.

Flora acted alongside others for the applicants in a case regarding the compatibility of the UK’s bulk surveillance regime with the European Convention on Human Rights. The linked complaints were brought by organisations and individuals that campaign on issues relating to civil liberties and journalists’ rights.

Instructed by the Applicants in relation to a claim before the European Court of Human Rights concerning the freedom of expression of a broadcasting company and alleging violations by Georgia of Articles 6, 10 and 18 of the ECHR and Article 1 of Protocol No.1. Flora was led by Shaheed Fatima KC.

Instructed by Islington Law Centre on behalf of three child applicants for judicial review of the UK Government's failure to transfer them from Greece to the UK under the terms of the Dublin III Regulation.

Advising the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in relation to complaints connected with the women's state pension age increases.

Successfully representing a Polish national in her deportation appeal. 

Flora successfully represented a Turkish Kurdish appellant in the First-Tier Tribunal whose asylum claim was based on imputed political opinion. 

Flora successfully acted for an Iranian poet in his appeal against the Secretary of State's refusal of his application for asylum. 

Acting for HJ Banks Ltd in a successful challenge to a refusal of planning permission (with Nathalie Lieven QC). 

Acted for Ofcom (with Pushpinder Saini QC and Jessica Boyd) in a judicial review brought by the Avaaz Foundation of Ofcom's decision that Sky would not cease to be fit and proper to retain its broadcast licences in the event of a merger with 21st Century Fox. 

Flora was instructed by Human Rights Watch as Intervener (in support of the Claimant) in a claim challenging the legality of the UK Government’s policy refusing to issue non-gender-specific “X” passports to UK nationals. 

Flora acted for the intervening party, Kalayaan, led by Tom Hickman KC. This case concerned the scope of diplomatic immunity for human trafficking and modern slavery and the scope of the commercial exception under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Flora acted for the charity Kalayaan.

Acting for a partially sighted Afghan national in his appeal against  the Secretary of State's refusal of his application for asylum and humanitarian protection. A's appeal was dismissed by the First Tier Tribunal and, following the finding of an error of law, was remitted to be heard de novo. Flora represented A at the remitted hearing, which was again dismissed; successfully established that a second error of law had been made, and represented A at his second remitted hearing. Following a third error of law Flora will shortly represent A at his third remitted hearing. The case centres on the Refugee Convention ground of imputed political opinion and Article 15(c) of the Qualification Directive.

Acting for an Indian national in his successful appeal on Article 8 ECHR grounds against the Secretary of State's decision to refuse to grant him a further period of discretionary leave and to remove him from the UK. B entered the UK in 2007 and had been in a relationship with his British Citizen partner since then. The couple had three children and B was the primary carer for his partner and the children. His application for an extension of leave had been rejected on the basis that he had not provided sufficient evidence of his continued family life in the UK. 

Acting for a Kurdish Iranian national, also a member of the Ahl-e-Haqq (Yaaresan) faith, in his successful appeal against the decision of the Secretary of State to refuse his application for asylum. E had entered the UK on a student visa and was found by the Judge to be a refugee sur place due to his anti-regime activities, particularly as a blogger. 

Acting as junior counsel for the Financial Reporting Council in proceedings under its Accountancy and Actuarial schemes (with Andrew Green QC, Andrew George QC, Andrew Scott, Rebecca Sabben-Clare QC and Tim Jenns). 

Acting for an interested party pub in resisting an application for judicial review of a council’s decision to grant access rights to its premises over a Site of Special Scientific Interest (with Michael Fordham QC).

Acting for the Iraqi claimants in this case concerning the jurisdictional reach of Art 1 ECHR and the scope of the investigative duties under Art 3 and Art 5 ECHR, and the investigative obligations under UNCAT and customary international law (with Michael Fordham QC, Dan Squires QC and Jason Pobjoy).

Advising Reprieve / Justice Project Pakistan in relation to a draft Communication to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, concerning the detention of Pakistani nationals at the Bagram Detention Facility between 2001 and 2014.

Representing the Claimant charity in its challenge to the Safety of Rwanda Policy, arguing that the Policy promulgates a fundamental misinterpretation of the Safety of Rwanda Act 2024. The Home Office accepted, at pre-action stage, that parts of the Policy needed to be withdrawn. The claim was stayed pending resolution of urgent individual challenges which adopted the charity’s challenge. Following the General Election of 4 July 2024, the Charity’s claim was stayed pending the new Government’s review of the policy. Flora was led by Charlotte Kilroy KC.

Acting in this challenge to the Safety of Rwanda Policy, which sought to establish the correct interpretation of the Safety of Rwanda Act 2024 (and alternatively, sought a declaration that parts of the Rwanda Act was incompatible with human rights). The claims were settled following the General Election of 4 July 2024: the Home Secretary agreed that the individual claimants would not be removed to Rwanda and that their asylum claims would be considered in the UK. Flora was led by Charlotte Kilroy KC.

Flora was instructed by the intervening party Kalayaan, a charity that works to protect victims of modern slavery. This key case developed the law concerning the application of the "commercial exception" to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, holding it applicable to persons subjected by diplomatic agents to conditions of servitude and modern slavery. Flora was led by Tom Hickman KC.

Instructed by Islington Law Centre on behalf of three child applicants for judicial review of the UK Government's failure to transfer them from Greece to the UK under the terms of the Dublin III Regulation.

Flora acted for the applicants in a case regarding the compatibility of the UK’s bulk surveillance regime with the European Convention on Human Rights. The linked complaints were brought by organisations and individuals that campaign on issues relating to civil liberties and journalists’ rights.

Successfully representing a Polish national in her deportation appeal. 

Flora successfully represented a Turkish Kurdish appellant in the First-Tier Tribunal whose asylum claim was based on imputed political opinion. 

Flora successfully acted for an Iranian poet in his appeal against the Secretary of State's refusal of his application for asylum. 

Flora was instructed by Human Rights Watch as Intervener (in support of the Claimant) in a claim challenging the legality of the UK Government’s policy refusing to issue non-gender-specific “X” passports to UK nationals. 

Instructed by the applicants in relation to a claim before the European Court of Human Rights concerning the freedom of expression of a broadcasting company and alleging violations by Georgia of Articles 6, 10 and 18 of the ECHR and Article 1 of Protocol No.1 (led by Shaheed Fatima QC).

Acting for a partially sighted Afghan national in his appeal against  the Secretary of State's refusal of his application for asylum and humanitarian protection. A's appeal was dismissed by the First Tier Tribunal and, following the finding of an error of law, was remitted to be heard de novo. Flora represented A at the remitted hearing, which was again dismissed; successfully established that a second error of law had been made, and represented A at his second remitted hearing. Following a third error of law Flora will shortly represent A at his third remitted hearing. The case centres on the Refugee Convention ground of imputed political opinion and Article 15(c) of the Qualification Directive.

Acting for the Interveners (supporting the Appellant) in this appeal to the Supreme Court concerning the application of the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964 / the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 to claims brought by domestic overseas workers against their employers (with Richard Hermer QC, Tom Hickman and Philippa Webb).

Acting for the Iraqi claimants in this case concerning the jurisdictional reach of Art 1 ECHR and the scope of the investigative duties under Art 3 and Art 5 ECHR, and the investigative obligations under UNCAT and customary international law (with Michael Fordham QC, Dan Squires QC and Jason Pobjoy).

Acting for an Indian national in his successful appeal on Article 8 ECHR grounds against the Secretary of State's decision to refuse to grant him a further period of discretionary leave and to remove him from the UK. B entered the UK in 2007 and had been in a relationship with his British Citizen partner since then. The couple had three children and B was the primary carer for his partner and the children. His application for an extension of leave had been rejected on the basis that he had not provided sufficient evidence of his continued family life in the UK. 

Acting for a Kurdish Iranian national, also a member of the Ahl-e-Haqq (Yaaresan) faith, in his successful appeal against the decision of the Secretary of State to refuse his application for asylum. E had entered the UK on a student visa and was found by the Judge to be a refugee sur place due to his anti-regime activities, particularly as a blogger. 

Advising Reprieve / Justice Project Pakistan in relation to a draft Communication to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, concerning the detention of Pakistani nationals at the Bagram Detention Facility between 2001 and 2014.

Representing the Claimant charity in its challenge to the Safety of Rwanda Policy, arguing that the Policy promulgates a fundamental misinterpretation of the Safety of Rwanda Act 2024. The Home Office accepted, at pre-action stage, that parts of the Policy needed to be withdrawn. The claim was stayed pending resolution of urgent individual challenges which adopted the charity’s challenge. Following the General Election of 4 July 2024, the Charity’s claim was stayed pending the new Government’s review of the policy. Flora was led by Charlotte Kilroy KC.

Acting in this challenge to the Safety of Rwanda Policy, which sought to establish the correct interpretation of the Safety of Rwanda Act 2024 (and alternatively, sought a declaration that parts of the Rwanda Act was incompatible with human rights). The claims were settled following the General Election of 4 July 2024: the Home Secretary agreed that the individual claimants would not be removed to Rwanda and that their asylum claims would be considered in the UK. Flora was led by Charlotte Kilroy KC.

Flora was instructed by the intervening party Kalayaan, a charity that works to protect victims of modern slavery. This key case developed the law concerning the application of the "commercial exception" to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, holding it applicable to persons subjected by diplomatic agents to conditions of servitude and modern slavery. Flora was led by Tom Hickman KC.

Flora acted for the applicants in a case regarding the compatibility of the UK’s bulk surveillance regime with the European Convention on Human Rights. The linked complaints were brought by organisations and individuals that campaign on issues relating to civil liberties and journalists’ rights.

Instructed by the Applicants in relation to a claim before the European Court of Human Rights concerning the freedom of expression of a broadcasting company and alleging violations by Georgia of Articles 6, 10 and 18 of the ECHR and Article 1 of Protocol No.1.

Acting for the Iraqi claimants in this case concerning the jurisdictional reach of Art 1 ECHR and the scope of the investigative duties under Art 3 and Art 5 ECHR, and the investigative obligations under UNCAT and customary international law (with Michael Fordham QC, Dan Squires QC and Jason Pobjoy).