Profile
Work Department
Position
Richard is a Principal Lawyer and Head of Abuse Law and Public Inquiries. He has many years’ experience dealing with serious injury and child abuse cases, acting for victims in high profile cases such as Jimmy Savile, the child sexual exploitation scandal in Rochdale, John Worboys and the football abuse cases. He has particular expertise in cases involving abuse in religious organisations such as the Catholic Church, the Church of England, mosques and gurdwaras. He acted for a large number of victims and survivors in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA), has taken cases to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and has achieved many landmark settlements.
Richard writes and lectures widely on abuse law and public inquiries and is a regular media commentator. Richard’s book ‘Betrayed: The English Catholic Church and the Sex Abuse Crisis’ was published in 2014. He also co-authored the APIL Guide to Child Abuse Compensation Claims, third edition published in 2020. He was a Chapter contributor to Justice for Children: A developmental approach published by Royal College of Psychiatrists/CUP in 2019. In addition to his legal work he holds a visiting research fellowship at the University of Kent, where he leads an international review of legal and policy responses to abuse in religious settings.
Richard wrote the book ‘Betrayed: The English Catholic Church and the Sex Abuse Crisis’ which was published in 2014. He also co-authored the APIL Guide to Child Abuse Compensation Claims published in 2011. Chapter contributor to Justice for Children: A developmental approach published by Royal College of Psychiatrists/CUP in 2019.
Career
Richard qualified as a solicitor in 1994; joined Pannone Solicitors in 1992 (during which time he spent five years as head of serious injury; and moved to Slater and Gordon in 2014.
Memberships
Content supplied by Slater and Gordon
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Richard Scorer is an excellent child abuse solicitor. He focuses on the issues in which the law is relevant, without dismissing other aspects. He is clearly extremely knowledgeable about his area of the law, and has built up considerable expertise. He has treated me with respect.’
‘We found Jordan Bell to be the most caring and compassionate person who showed great kindness to my terminally ill husband at a very difficult time. I have no family and really appreciated his support and help. I can never thank him enough for everything he’s done for me.’
‘Jordan Bell treated me with empathy, kindness and professionalism which continued and exceeded my expectations. Their meticulous attention to detail and thorough approach were critical to the success of my case. The diligence, precision, and legal acumen which was brought to bear was instrumental in achieving a favourable result at a difficult time in my life. Both myself and my family will be eternally grateful for all that was done for me.’
‘The team are amazing. The skillset in dealing with you in very tense situations is absolutely incredible. Without Madelene Holdsworth and the team I would have been lost. I recommend Slater and Gordon for everything. Amazing knowledge on the laws, and they ensure that they achieve the very best for you.’
‘They treat you without judging, they show passion and empathy. Madelene Holdsworth was really supportive and strong, a few times I had wobbles but Madelene kept me calm - strong in her support.'
‘Pauline Chandler has more experience than anyone in the industry and is a tough opponent. Madelene Holdsworth is bright, astute, determined and effective. Jordan Bell is careful, thorough, good with clients and very knowledgeable.’
‘Helen Gierc is very smart, confident and quite formidable. She is also very empathetic and understanding. This combination makes for a very effective lawyer and someone you would want on your side.’
‘Madelene Holdsworth is a ferociously hard-worker, very tenacious in her pursuit of cases and extremely clever.'