39 Essex Chambers

Barrister specialising in planning, environmental, local government, public law, parliamentary and art law. Significant cases include in the Supreme Court, Dill (listed buildings and art), Symmetry (planning conditions), Finch (Environmental Impact Assessment) and Spitalfields Trust (councillors’ voting). Other major planning and environmental cases in court include the Stonehenge road tunnel, Thames Tideway Tunnel, R(SAVE Britain’s Heritage) v SoS, Peires v Bickerton's Aerodrome, Dale Farm injunction, Mellor, Goodman, Lebus, Holder and Holborn Studios.  He acts on major infrastructure, including High Speed 2, Crossrail Bill, Littlebrook Power Station, underground gas storage, incinerators and wind farms, major development projects, Wisley and Lotmead new settlements, urban extensions in Ashford and the Chiswick Curve tower. , retail, housing, enforcement and waste inquiries, compulsory purchase and compensation. He has extensive Environmental permitting experience including judicial reviews and inquiries; appeared in commons, village green and access proceedings; considerable rights of way/road traffic order experience.  Richard also acts on energy regulation, appearing in the Green Belt (NI) and Dennison Commercials cases. Additionally, Richard has drafted over 1,500 tabled amendments to Public Bills and acts on art market matters, particularly regulatory controls including exports, treasure and listed buildings.

Called to the Bar 1993, QC 2013. Joint Head of Chambers at 39 Essex Chambers from 2019. Called in Northern Ireland 2016 and member of the Bar Library. Also called in St Lucia. Publications include ‘Historic Environment Law’, ‘Planning Enforcement’, ‘Planning Permission’, co-author, ‘Planning Policy’ (with Victoria Hutton), ‘Contested Heritage’ (with Catherine Dobson and David Sawtell). Co-presenter of the ‘Contested Heritage’ podcast with Clarissa Levi. Awarded OBE in 2014 for services to planning and environmental law.

Former deputy chairman, Advisory Panel on Standards for the Planning Inspectorate. Member PEBA, ALBA, CPA, NIPA, UKELA, PAIAM, Art Lawyers Association.

Jesus College, Cambridge (MA; LLM)