Profile description
With an understanding of accounts and a mastery of detail he represents clients where the source of wealth (sometimes hidden overseas) comes for self-made millionaires, household name PLC directors, premiership footballers or from farming individuals (a particular specialty). Richard enjoys working as a team with clients, as well as instructing solicitors and experts from a number of disciplines.
In addition Richard does a considerable amount of private family law, including relocation, and acts for local authorities in public law matters. He has recently successfully completed a 19 day High Court fact finding hearing.
Richard’s understanding of family matters is constantly being expanded when he sits as a Recorder with a private family law ticket. His long experience of family law is also increasingly being used in solicitor’s negligence actions in this field.
Notable recent family cases:
- B Children. 2015. Family Division
Acting for a local authority in a 19 day fact finding into step father’s rape of step daughter and mother’s invented account of how his body fluids were found on the child's underwear. - W v K 2012 – 2014
Long, intractable contact saga, where children defied orders and ran away. - S v H 2012 – 2015
Long, running contact and Schedule One Children Act case, where mother often in person and created obstacles in both sets of proceedings.
Notable reported family cases:
- M (children) [2010] EWCA Civ 69 [public family law]
- Sandford v Sandford [1986] 1 FLR 412 (Ct Appl) [ancillary relief]
- Seaton v Seaton [1986] 2 FLR 398 (Ct Appl) [ancillary relief]
Publications
Past contributor to Sweet & Maxwell’s Encyclopaedia of Financial Provision in Family Matters.
Recommendations
'Recognised for his advocacy in healthcare-related professional discipline matters, including both the defence and prosecution of healthcare professionals. He is also experienced in prosecuting on behalf of the GMC, and advocating for clients before Fitness to Practice Panels.
Recent work: Acted for the GMC in GMC v Dr Grant, a case concerning a private GP’s incompetent involvement in a child sexual abuse case.'
Chambers UK 2017/Professional Discipline - The Regions (Bar) - Band 2
'Reputed in medical and social care disciplinary actions. He frequently prosecutes before the GMC’s Medical Practitioners’ Tribunal Service
Strengths: "He is a solid practitioner who fights for his clients but in an articulate way." "He's a bright and astute advocate who doesn't take stupid points."'
Chambers UK 2016/Professional Discipline - The Regions (Bar) - Band 2
'regularly prosecutes fitness to practice cases on behalf of the GMC.
Expertise: "He deals with a difficult case with aplomb."
Recent work: Represented the GMC at the Court of Appeal in relation to disciplinary proceedings against a doctor who faced a number of allegations, including accusing a mother of murdering her child.'
Chambers UK 2015/Professional Discipline – The Regions
'has a strong reputation in the medical and social care disciplinary sector. He regularly prosecutes before the GMC’s MPTS.'
Chambers UK 2014/Professional Disciplines – The Regions
'For his professional discipline expertise at the London Bar. Richard "knows what he is doing" when it comes to medical and social care disciplinary cases and is "impeccably fair" according to sources. He frequently prosecutes before the GMC’s MPTS'
Chambers UK 2013
'...received due recognition for the quality of his work before the GMC and the Care Standards Tribunal. His client care skills are described are descried as “exceptional” and solicitors “look forward to instructing him”.'
Chambers UK 2012
‘His practice covers the spectrum of family law cases.’
Legal 500 2017/Regional Bar - Western Circuit, Family and children law – Leading juniors
‘Recommended for brain damage cases.’
Legal 500 2017/Regional Bar - Western Circuit, Personal injury and clinical negligence – Leading juniors
‘Very experienced in healthcare work.’
Legal 500 2017/Regional Bar - Western Circuit, Regulatory, health and safety, and licensing – Leading juniors
'He presents with great skills and sensitivity"
Legal 500 2016/Regional Bar - Western Circuit:
Family and children law – Leading juniors
Regulatory, health and safety, and licensing – Leading juniors
Personal injury and clinical negligence – Leading juniors
'He has excellent client communication skills'
Legal 500 2015/Regional Bar - Western Circuit:
Family and children law – Leading juniors
Regulatory, health and safety, and licensing – Leading juniors
Personal injury and clinical negligence – Leading juniors
'A clinical negligence specialist who principally represents claimants in cases involving severe injuries.'
Legal 500 2014/South Eastern Circuit, Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence expertise
‘a master of his brief’
Legal 500 UK Directory 2013/14 - Western Circuit, Family.
