Ropewalk Chambers

Personal injury, catastrophic injury, clinical negligence, disease, counter fraud, criminal regulatory, inquests, motor, group actions.

Richard specialises principally in personal injury, clinical negligence, disease, counter fraud, criminal regulatory, employment and professional discipline and regulation. He has particular expertise in coronial work. He acts broadly equally for both claimants and defendants/respondents, and has a number of faithful solicitors who return to him time after time. He has been one of the Attorney General’s Junior Counsel to the Crown (Treasury Counsel) continuously since 1994, and regularly acts for a wide range of government departments and agencies in personal injury, inquest and employment matters. He is registered with the Bar Council to undertake Direct Access work and is able to receive instructions from lay clients, as well as those on the traditional professional client basis. This is particularly well suited for his employment tribunal and professional discipline and regulation work. Notable cases include: Johnson v (1) Ministry of Defence (2) Hobourn Eaton Limited [2012] EWCA Civ 1505 (acted for the Ministry of Defence at first instance and in the Court of Appeal; limitation hearing; constructive knowledge; consideration of actions of the reasonable claimant; how the assumption of sufficient curiosity was to be applied); Scotthorne v Four Seasons Conservatories Ltd 14 May 2010 Transcript – Employment Appeal Tribunal (disclosure and inspection; legal advice privilege; litigation privilege and specific disclosure in the Employment Tribunal); Holtby v Brigham and Cowan (Hull) Limited [2000] ICR 1086, [2000] Lloyd’s Rep Med 254: Times, April 12 2000 – Court of Appeal (established the divisibility of injury in asbestosis for the first time); Hartman v South Essex Mental Health NHS Trust and Others [2005] EWCA Civ 6 – Court of Appeal (clarification of the requirements necessary for successful work-related stress injuries); Osborne v Valve (Engineering) Services Ltd [2001] Emp LR 53 – Employment Appeal Tribunal (breach of contract; causes of action; jurisdiction; res judicata); O’Hara v Rye 12 Feb 1999 Transcript – Court of Appeal (delay; unless orders; strike out; procedure); Poundall v Lincolnshire County Council 9 February 1998 Transcript – Court of Appeal (re-trial; delay in delivering judgment; inadequacy of reasons; injustice).

Called 1987; Junior Counsel to the Crown (Treasury Counsel) continuously since 1994; Direct Access.

Personal Injuries Bar Association; Employment Law Bar Association.

Manchester (LLB Hons – 2:1).