Richard practices in the field of clinical negligence and personal injury litigation. He undertakes a broad spectrum of high value serious injury work acting on behalf of both claimants and defendants. Richard has experience of a variety of trials (both as sole and as led junior counsel), interlocutory and complex approval hearings, as well as Article 2 and jury inquests. He also regularly attends conferences with experts and is adept at dealing with complicated medical issues. Furthermore, Richard has considerable experience of drafting pleadings and providing written advices on liability, evidence and quantum.
Richard has experience of a variety of spinal cases, including:
- Brain injury
- Amputation
- Spinal injuries
- Fatal accidents
- Extensive care packages
- Accommodation claims
- Provisional damages
Recent instructions have included:
- Representing a brain injured claimant following a road traffic accident as a toddler (with leading counsel)
- Representing a claimant who developed cerebral palsy as a result of a hypoxic brain injury at birth (with leading counsel)
- Representing a claimant child who developed cerebral palsy due to a mismanaged birth (with leading counsel)
- Representing a claimant following a below knee amputation caused by inappropriate surgery where there was a significant risk of losing the contralateral leg, pleaded at GBP 1m plus PPOs (with leading counsel)
- Representing two separate claimants in cases arising out of negligently performed gynaecological surgery, both pleaded in excess of GBP 1m.
- Representing the defendant in a claim where the claimant was said to have had to end her military career due to an untreated knee injury, claiming nearly GBP 1m
- Representing an NHS Trust at a mediation where the claimant was said to be unable to work due to psychiatric injuries
- Representing the defendant in a case involving alleged significant ongoing cognitive and other functional difficulties following sustaining a minor brain injury at work
- Representing various NHS Trusts in claims arising out of accidents on NHS premises or assaults at work (including claims pleaded at several hundred thousand pounds)
- Representing the defendant organisation where the claimant alleged that he had sustained a brain injury following being struck on the head with a heavy object by a colleague
- Representing the defendant in a claim where the claimant was said to have had to end his military career due to untreated psychiatric injuries, claiming nearly GBP 1m
- Representing the claimant at JSM where a provisional damages order was agreed due to the risk of requiring a future transplant operation
- Representing a defendant at JSM where there was an extensive claim made for dependency – the schedule was pleaded in excess of GBP 500k
Further information
Richard is happy to undertake work on a conditional fee agreement basis where appropriate.
He has also given a number of talks and seminars about various aspects of civil procedure, clinical negligence, personal injury and inquest work.
Recommendations
“Richard is extremely knowledgeable in clinical negligence cases and in every new case, he does detailed research into that particular medical issue and understands the medical records and expert evidence. He is not afraid to challenge the medical experts in their field of expertise and ensures no stone is left unturned. He is extremely approachable and responds promptly to any queries. His work is always completed to a very high standard.”
Legal 500 2023 Tier 1 (Clinical Negligence)
Ranked Band 2
Chambers UK 2023 (Clinical Negligence)
“He has a very good eye for detail, is empathetic, and always goes out of his way to help.”
Chambers UK 2022 (Clinical Negligence)
“Richard is meticulous, exceptionally analytical and well prepared. He provides superb tactical and pragmatic advice whilst also being precise and persuasive in written and oral argument.”
Legal 500 2022 (Clinical Negligence)
“He is technically extremely capable and is very meticulous in the work he does. His client care skills are also excellent, and he is always easy to get hold of.” “Very client-focused and attentive.” “A thorough advocate with an eye for detail.”
Chambers UK 2021 (Clinical Negligence)
“Pragmatic and exceptionally analytical, with excellent strategic judgement and in-depth knowledge.”
Legal 500 2021 (Clinical Negligence)
“He was well prepared, approached the matter very well and had an impressive style on his feet.”
Chambers UK 2021 (Inquest and Inquiries)
“Articulate and succinct in both written and oral advocacy, he quickly earns the respect of those he appears before.”
Legal 500 2021 (Inquest and Inquiries)
“He has a great eye for detail and provides robust, pragmatic and precise advice in complex clinical negligence cases.” “He is extremely well prepared and hard-working, and will dedicate himself to pursuing every issue.”
Chambers UK 2020 (Clinical Negligence)
Reported Cases
Atkinson v South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2014] EWHC 1590 (QB); [2014] All ER (D) 199 (May)
Appointments
Recorder (Civil and Crime)
Deputy Master (Queen’s Bench Division, High Court)
Assistant Coroner (2017-2021) for Birmingham and Solihull
Attorney General’s Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown (Regional ‘B’ Panel)
Contributing Editor – ‘Civil Procedure (The White Book)’ since 2022
Senior Junior Counsel to the Inquiry – UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry
Awards
Inner Temple Prize for ‘Outstanding’ Bar Vocational Course Result (2010)
College of Law Prize for Top Overall Bar Vocational Course Result (2009/10)
College of Law Prize for Top Advocacy Assessment Results (2009/10)
Inner Temple Exhibition Award (2009)
Memberships
Midlands Circuit
Inner Temple (Exhibitioner, 2009)
PIBA
AvMA
Coroner’s Society
Qualifications
BA (Hons) Law with Business Studies, University of Warwick (First Class Honours)
Bar Vocational Course, College of Law (Outstanding, ranked overall 1st in year)
