Practice Summary

Richard joined Chambers in October 2008 following the completion of his pupillage and accepts instructions in all areas of Chambers work.

Planning and Environment

Richard regularly appears at planning inquiries for developers and for local authorities. He has acted for several local authorities and for appellants in appeals against enforcement notices and other appeals. He acted (as junior to Christopher Lockhart-Mummery QC) for the local authority in an inquiry into the confirmation of a compulsory purchase order for a large scale retail led redevelopment of Clay Cross town centre. He has also appeared for a local authority at a planning inquiry concerning the appropriateness of residential development in areas where escape routes are liable to flood. Richard regularly advises local authorities, developers and third parties in respect of planning applications, appeals and High Court challenges.

Richard has a developing High Court practice. He is instructed in a number of statutory appeals and judicial reviews for local authorities, developers and third party objectors and has also successfully obtained injunctions to restrain breaches of planning control. Richard (led by David Elvin QC) successfully represented the respondent in the Court of Appeal in R (Finn-Kelcey) v Milton Keynes Council [2009] Env LR 17, concerning a challenge to the grant of planning permission for a wind farm and, in particular, the duties of planning authorities to provide environmental information to third party objectors.

Richard has also both prosecuted and defended in proceedings relating to breaches of enforcement notices in the criminal courts.

Property

Richard regularly appears in the county courts in mortgage repossession claims and in landlord and tenant disputes, and has been instructed in the High Court in respect of injunction proceedings. He has appeared in magistrates’ courts in proceedings relating to the licensing of HMOs. Richard has advised in a wide range of property matters and in particular where they interrelate with planning issues.

Prior to joining the Bar, Richard worked as a research assistant at the Law Commission during which time he worked on projects relating to the reform of the Housing Acts and the regulation of residential landlords. He also had ten months working in the commercial property department of a leading law firm.

Public

Richard (led by Richard Drabble QC and James Maurici) acted for the Child Poverty Action Group intervening in an appeal to the House of Lords concerning the social security entitlements of EU accession state workers: Zalewska v Department of Social Development [2008] 1 WLR 2602. He also appeared (again led by Richard Drabble QC) for the CPAG in Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v Lassal [2009] EWCA Civ 157, in which the Court of Appeal referred questions to the European Court of Justice on the interpretation of the Citizenship Directive. He has advised on a number of public law matters, and acted as a legal clerk to education appeal panels.

Whilst working at the Law Commission, Richard was involved in a project considering monetary remedies against public authorities.

Richard has taught public law as a tutor and lecturer at various universities, including at two Cambridge colleges and currently teaches at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

In his spare time, Richard is governor of Michael Faraday Primary School in Southwark.