Matrix Chambers

Richard is a specialist regulatory and criminal practitioner with extensive experience in the most complex and high-profile criminal cases. He is consistently recognised as one of the leading criminal advocates in the UK, receiving both the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 Crime Silk of the Year awards and is ranked in four practice areas; Business and Regulatory Crime (including Global Investigations), Fraud, Crime, and Inquests and Inquiries. He is renowned for his strategic and tactical guidance and his ability to master complex legal and factual issues.

Recently, Richard led the team of experienced counsel, instructed by Morrison and Foerster, representing Fujitsu in the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry. In addition, instructed by Arnold and Porter, he successfully represented an individual who was investigated by the SFO in its investigation into Glencore.

Richard has significant experience in Deferred Prosecution Agreements. He was instructed to lead a team of experienced junior counsel over a 3-year period to achieve the Deferred Prosecution Agreement against Rolls Royce plc.  At the time it was the largest single investigation carried out by the SFO.

He was instructed by third parties in relation to the Deferred Prosecution Agreements against G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Ltd and Serco Geografix Ltd.

He has been instructed to defend in allegations of insider dealing and ‘Phoenix Company’ allegations.

In addition to his defence work, Richard is instructed privately to prosecute serious allegations of fraud.

Having been First Senior Treasury Counsel (Crime) Richard has a wealth of experience in national security matters and has advised on, and acted in, cases where there have been a SOCPA agreements.

Richard has extensive experience in Sports Law.  He is the RFU’s Independent Head of Judiciary. He is also a member of the World Rugby and European Professional Club Rugby judicial panels. In September 2024, Richard was appointed as the first independent Chair of the Cricket Discipline Panel. He also is a Legal Arbitrator for Sport Resolutions.

He was a Deputy High Court Judge for six years and is a Recorder of the Crown Court. In addition, he is a Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands.

Previously he has been described in Legal 500 as, “an imperturbable and urbane advocate."

(2025, Fraud: Crime); "Richard is calm under pressure and provides strategic advice in the trickiest of situations." (Legal 500, 2025, Business and Regulatory Crime (including Global Investigations).