The Family Group
Family Law Barrister and Joint Deputy Head of the Family Group
Ricky practises exclusively in Family law, and is known for his expertise in Children Act proceedings.
He appears at all levels of the Family Court and in the Family Division of the High Court. He has also appeared in the Court of Appeal.
Ricky acts in both private law and public law proceedings. Additionally, he acts in non-molestation order, female genital mutilation (FGM) protection order and forced marriage protection order cases.
Ricky has completed the ICCA/FLBA’s Advocacy and the Vulnerable training.
Ricky regularly delivers talks and seminars. Recent topics have included “Relocation, Relocation, Relocation: Strategy and Practice”, “When private law threatens to become public law”, and “Finding of fact hearings where non-physical abuse is alleged.”
Private children law
Ricky is frequently instructed in private law children disputes by parents, family members and children.
Ricky’s private law cases range from those with no safeguarding issues to those involving allegations of significant harm (including domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and alienating behaviours).
Ricky’s cases include disputes around living arrangements, contact, and schooling.
Ricky is regularly instructed on relocation cases both within England (internal relocation) and beyond. He has delivered training on and appeared in a podcast on relocation.
Ricky also has experience of cases involving international issues including: cases where one parent resides abroad; temporary removal from the United Kingdom (to both Hague and non-Hague convention countries); and jurisdictional disputes.
Ricky’s cases include applications for child arrangements orders, specific issue orders, prohibited steps orders, enforcement orders and special guardianship orders. This includes cases under Pathfinder / Child Focused Courts.
Public children law
Ricky is regularly instructed in care proceedings and acts at all stages of proceedings. He represents local authorities, parents, interveners, and children.
Ricky has been instructed in cases involving the inherent jurisdiction, wardship and deprivation of liberty. He has appeared in linked directions in criminal and care proceedings.
Ricky also has experience of contested Adoption Act proceedings both at the permission stage and where parents have been given permission to oppose an adoption order.
Published cases: Re M (Care Order: Risk: Family Placement [2025] EWCA Civ 163; Re A & B (Children) (Contested Adoption) [2022] EWFC 17: and Re P (Sexual Abuse: Finding of Fact Hearing) [2019] EWFC 27.
Inner Temple Midland Circuit Family Law Bar Association Resolution Association of Lawyers for Children
Bar Professional Training Course (Outstanding; College of Law) LLB in Law with European Legal Studies (First Class Honours; King’s College London) Associateship of King’s College London