Biography

Richard is a practitioner of Family law, including Private and Public law children’s cases. His specialist areas include all aspects of care proceedings and adoption, acting for parents, children (Children’s Guardians), adopters and other family members as well as Local Authorities.

Experience

Richard has undertaken cases involving all areas of child abuse and neglect including Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (cot death), non-accidental injuries and child sexual abuse. He also has experience in adoptions with a foreign element. He regularly has to deal with Expert Witnesses from the fields of paediatrics, radiology, orthopaedics, psychiatry and psychology.

Reported Cases

Re A&D (Children) [2011] EWCA Civ 265

Richmond LBC v B,W,B&CB [2011] 1FLR 1345

Newham LBC v AG [1993] 1FLR 281

Croydon LBC v A (No1-3) [1992] 2FLR 341, 348&350

Re K (a minor) (wardship:adoption) [1991] 1FLR 57

Education

Sutton Valence School, Kent; Inns of Court School of Law (Bar Finals Parts I & II)

Appointments

Deputy District Judge with “Private Law Children’s Ticket”; Former Lay member of the Church of England, Canterbury Diocesan Synod

Interests

Skiing, cricket (mostly as a spectator) and motor cars.   He and his wife also enjoy the theatre, opera, 1960’s/70’s rock music and gardening.