Armed Forces Team

From our offices in Southampton, Portsmouth and Gosport, Coffin Mew LLP is ideally placed to offer a full range of quality legal services to serving and retired members of the Regular and Reserve Armed Forces based in the UK and worldwide. 

This commitment to quality has been recognised by independent sources through The Law Society’s Quality Practice mark ‘Lexcel’.

As an integral part of the community and business network, the firm has a heritage that stretches back over a century. During this time it has been the legal partner for many locally and nationally based organisations and individuals.


Bob Williams, Barrister

Bob joined the Armed Forces team at Coffin Mew in 2011. Bob is an Employed Barrister who previously served a Full Career Commission in the Royal Navy from 1971 – 2007.  His Service background gives him a wealth of knowledge in matters relating to Armed Forces Personnel issues and includes specific expertise in the areas of Court Martial preparation and trial, Summary Discipline, Armed Forces Employment and Statutory Service Complaints.

Bob joined the Royal Navy in September 1971 as a Supply and Secretariat Officer and served until April 2007.  During his 36 years in the Service, he gained a Law Degree from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, in 1974; was Called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1981 and Appointed OBE in the Golden Jubilee Birthday Honours List in 2002.

Within the Service, Bob served in numerous ships and establishments and was the Supply Officer of HMS Tartar between 1982 and 1984.  This was followed by an appointment as the Assistant Chief Naval Judge Advocate and then the Legal Adviser to the Commander-in-Chief Fleet at the Royal Navy’s Operational Fleet Headquarters at Northwood.

In 1988 Bob served in Gibraltar as the Admiral’s Secretary (Executive Assistant) and, after leaving Gibraltar in 1991, fulfilled a similar role, to two Admirals in the Ministry of Defence, both closely involved in Personnel Issues.

After leaving London in 1994, Bob held the post of Deputy Chief Naval Judge Advocate (having been appointed as a Naval Judge Advocate in 1986) and subsequently took on the role of Deputy Director of the Naval Legal Services, having spent a short time as the Acting Director of the Naval Legal Services prior to a major reorganisation within the Naval Legal Service.

On leaving the RN in 2007, Bob joined Private Practice and has specialised in Court Martial Advocacy, Military Employment and Administrative casework, putting to great use his vast experience and intimate knowledge of these areas of specialist law, amassed over his time in the Service.

A keen fan of Rugby Union (having been born and brought up in South Wales), Bob has been the Disciplinary Officer for the Royal Navy Rugby Union and has also adjudicated at RFU Disciplinary Hearings.

Bob still feels a very strong affinity with Service Personnel, both serving and retired and is dedicated to helping and supporting such individuals.  Having, “Been There; Seen It and Done it”, Bob sees it as a privilege to be able to continue providing help and support to serving and retired Armed Forces Personnel. 

DDI:  023 9236 4309

Email: bobwilliams@coffinmew.co.uk