A Journey of Perseverance, Service, and Purpose
If you’d told Robyn Murdo-Smith as a boy that he would one day become a practising barrister and an expert in international law, he probably wouldn’t have believed you — and neither would his teachers. Struggling at school and labelled as “backward” by those around him, Robyn left education with poor CSEs and undiagnosed mathematical dyslexia that made formal learning a challenge throughout his early years.
But where the academic world saw failure, Robyn’s determination began to take shape. He secured an apprenticeship in Mechanical Fitting with British Rail Engineering Limited at Eastleigh in Hampshire. Despite failing the second year of his technical college course and leaving without formal City & Guilds qualifications, Robyn’s creative spark and quiet resilience remained undimmed.
A chance inspiration from the television programme Dixon of Dock Green led him down an unexpected path — to the Metropolitan Police. To his surprise (and perhaps others’), he passed the entrance exam and, after several determined attempts, passed the Sergeant’s exam in the top bracket. It was here that a transformative encounter changed the course of Robyn’s life. An inspirational Inspector recognised a latent potential and encouraged him to study law. Robyn began a four-year part-time Honours Degree in Law — and emerged with an impressive Upper Second-Class degree.
Something had changed. “The lock on the door of my brain had finally rusted off,” Robyn reflects. He pursued a Master’s in Public International Law at King’s College London, specialising in the prosecution of war criminals. His studies took him to the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague, and he graduated with Merit in International Peace & Security.
Robyn’s late wife — ever his strongest supporter — made it clear that after six years of sacrifice and study, simply having letters after his name wasn’t enough. So instead of pursuing a PhD, Robyn transitioned into a second career in law. Upon retiring from the police, he undertook a training contract to become a solicitor, rising quickly to become a Higher Court Advocate representing defendants in Crown Court trials. He was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 2013 and now practises as a barrister at the Chambers of Shabeena Azhar & Jonathan Mole, 9 King’s Bench Walk (www.9kbw.com). Today, he primarily prosecutes cases for the Crown Prosecution Service as a member of the employed Bar.
Robyn’s dedication doesn’t end in the courtroom. He served as Master for 2024–25 and is now Immediate Past Master, Mentor, and Membership Officer in his Masonic lodge. He’s known for his tireless charitable work, having raised thousands of pounds for the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital during his time as a Preceptor in the Priory of Kent Knights Templar.
Never one to slow down, Robyn is also an avid sea kayaker. He’s currently paddling around the coast of Kent to raise funds for the Masonic Charitable Foundation — combining physical endurance with philanthropy.
Robyn’s story is a powerful reminder that we are all capable of far more than we imagine. With determination, encouragement, and resilience, even the most unlikely paths can lead to remarkable destinations.