Mr Richard English > Kate Blackwell KC > Manchester, England > Barrister Profile

Mr Richard English

0161 832 5701 richard.english@lincolnhousechambers.com

Position

Richard is a skillful and persuasive advocate who prides himself on providing the best advice, and the most effective representation.

Richard is a native of Dublin.  He studied History at Trinity College, Dublin University.  He qualified as a solicitor in England in 1996, and in Ireland in 1997 where he practiced for two years.  As a solicitor he was involved in a number of high-profile and complex cases amongst them – the London City Bond fraud and the Sally Clark appeal.  He became a partner with Burton Copeland Solicitors in 2000.

He was called to the Bar in 2003 and practices at the Criminal Bar, appearing in courts in the North West and throughout the country.  He has a predominately defence practice, but does prosecute in complex, document heavy, multi-handed cases.

He was a Law Society trainer on the Human Rights Acts and have been trained by Amicus in death row cases.  He has advised the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas and has written for their journal on mental health issues.

Richard has a particular interest and expertise in offences involving mentally disordered defendants. He is instructed because of his skill, patience and understanding of those who are particularly vulnerable when faced with the ordeal of appearing in court.

He also appears in Mental Health Review Tribunals. He is a member of the Mental Health Lawyers Association, and in 2017 he was awarded a Post-Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Law from the University of Northumbria.

Richard is regularly instructed to represent those alleged to have committed the most serious sexual offences, which very often, are said to have happened many years before. Allegations of this type are invariably devastating to all involved; they require detailed preparation, patient, and when necessary robust advice, as well as thoughtful and sensitive consideration both in and out of court.

Over the years Richard has been involved in many cases where the Police believe a child has been the victim of serious, often fatal violence. In the process he has developed an understanding of the complex medical and other evidential issues involved.

Career

Call to the bar: 2003