Richard practises in the fields of personal injury and clinical negligence 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 on his own and as junior counsel), interlocutory and complex approval hearings, as well as Article 2 and jury inquests, usually on behalf of organisations. He also regularly attends conferences with experts and is adept at dealing with complicated medical and causation issues. He is regularly instructed on high value, complex and sensitive matters and his thorough preparation and attention for detail allows him to bring the best out of his client’s case.
Richard has been instructed on behalf of defendant insurers on a number of road traffic accident cases involving allegations of fraud, including bogus passenger claims, staged and contrived accidents and low velocity impact claims. He also has experience of attending hearings to determine issues of fundamental dishonesty and issues involving Qualified One Way Costs Shifting. Additionally, he has dealt with several cases where causation of the claimant’s injuries was the central dispute in the case and where there were concerns about exaggeration and/or malingering. He has also dealt with numerous credit hire cases.
Furthermore, Richard has considerable experience of drafting pleadings and providing written advices on liability, evidence, tactics and quantum.
Richard has experience of a wide range of serious injury cases in both the personal injury and clinical negligence fields, including issues relating to:
- Brain injury
- Amputation
- 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 the defendant in a claim where the claimant was said to have had to end her military career due to an untreated orthopaedic injury, claiming nearly 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. Settled for a modest sum.
- 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 over 1.3m.
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) since 2015
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
Midland Circuit
Inner Temple (Exhibitioner, 2009)
Personal Injury Bar Association
AvMA
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)
