Profile

Richard specialises in all aspects of Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence work. His practice encompasses injuries of the utmost severity, and he regularly acts without a leader in cases where the value is pleaded well in excess £7,000,000. His cases regularly involve orders for periodical payments, accommodation claims and lifelong provision for care and assistance.

He has secured millions of pounds of compensation for seriously injured Claimants and their Dependants. He also defends cases of similar value at Trial and at Joint Settlement Meetings for numerous Insurers, Medical  and Dental Defence Organisations, Defendant Health Trusts, and the Motor Insurers Bureau. He has secured substantial awards before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority where the damages initially awarded were inadequate.

Richard has developed a substantial reputation in the field of Occupational Disease. He is regularly instructed by Claimants and Defendants alike in claims involving benign and malignant asbestos-related conditions (pleural thickening, asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma), asthma, chemical exposure (COSHH claims), and occupational stress/harassment. He is on several Insurers’ panels.

He frequently advises on claims for contribution between insurers and medical defence organisations.

Richard also has a substantial professional negligence practice in the context of negligently mishandled personal injury and clinical negligence actions.

He regularly appears without a leader in cases against QCs. He is regarded as having a practice well beyond his call.

Year of Call: 2006

Areas of Expertise

Clinical Negligence & Healthcare

Occupational Disease

Professional Negligence

Serious Injury

Memberships

PIBA

Northern Circuit

North Eastern Circuit

Qualifications

University:               University of Manchester

Degree:                    BA (First Class Honours) English Language and Literature

Year of Call:             2006 (Middle Temple)

Awards:                    Middle Temple Benefactors' Scholar

Recommendations

Chambers UK 2022:

"Very experienced junior who is highly thought of, good with clients and has a lot of experience." "A well-prepared opponent who is personable and easy to get along with."

Legal 500 2022:

" Richard is responsive and personable, easy to work with and his written advice is digestible by clients and instructing solictors alike."

"Thoroughness and attention to detail, and intellectual rigour, combined with a practical approach, and ability to get a point across, whether persuasively to a Judge, or to the lay client. Can be relied on to express a careful and considered view, in an understated yet most effective way."

Chambers UK 2021:

"A very versatile barrister, he knows what he's doing and doesn't make mistakes." 

Legal 500 2021:

"Puts clients at ease, explaining the most difficult issues to lay clients in a clear and friendly way. Excellent at getting to the bottom of what a claim is really about and how to win it. Prepares extremely well. Has produced excellent results at Show Cause hearings. Extremely capable in the fields of asbestos and Occupational disease generally."

Chambers UK 2020:

"He is calm, intellectual, superbly organised and very user-friendly."

Legal 500 2019:

‘A barrister who is a safe pair of hands.’

Legal 500 2018:

‘Undaunted by any task.’

Legal 500 2017:

‘He commands respect by virtue of his knowledge, diligent preparation and always being prepared to listen.’

Legal 500 2015:

“He has a practice beyond his call”