Sports Law
His expertise in personal injury, insurance and cases involving highly technical issues has resulted in his being instructed in a wide range of sports cases from F1 motor racing to “It’s a Knock-Out” type events (Participant diving head-first into a shallow pool rendered paraplegic – Uren v Corporate Leisure Ltd and MOD [2010] EWHC 46, [2011] EWCA Civ 66 and [2013] EWHC 353) and physical team-bonding activities (Participants negotiating a high wall on an assault course while roped together – serious back injury sustained by a female participant).
These cases have included insurance disputes relating to career-ending footballing injuries (Southampton Leisure Holdings PLC v Avon Insurance), and others have involved accidents arising from mountain biking (Sudden fracture of handlebar causing accident and brain damage to rider – Ide v ATB Sales [2007] EWHC 1667 and [2008] EWCA Civ 424), motorcycling (Sudden failure of swinging arm of motorcycle resulting in accident and serious injury to rider), swimming (Near-fatal drowning incident in pool – issues as to safety systems and supervision), diving (Serious neck injuries in cases involving Claimants diving into shallow reservoir and pond on common land respectively), leisure flying (Helicopter crash in poor weather in UK – Stevens v Allianz and Chaucer Syndicates), horse riding (Issue as to suitability of horse for inexperienced rider who was injured when horse bolted) and weight training (Injury while using gym machine. Issue as to safety of the equipment and quality of supervision).
Selected Cases
View full profile »Recommendations
“He is very experienced, knowledgeable and pragmatic. He gives sound and detailed advice and is very good on the detail.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Extremely knowledgeable in insurance work. Richard is extremely thorough and pays great attention to detail, which is imperative in this type of work. Provides sensible, pragmatic advice for clients and his experience shows through in difficult negotiations. Very much a team player, always works to deadlines and is very efficient.”
Legal 500, 2022
“The perfect QC – a skilful advocate with an excellent knowledge of the law.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He is extremely experienced and very forensic in his approach. His attention to detail is second to none.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“Extremely knowledgeable and pays great attention to detail, which is always necessary in indemnity/coverage cases – he draws on his vast experience to find solutions, is calm and unruffled, and a very good advocate.”
Legal 500, 2021
“An extremely experienced barrister who is calm, measured and forensic, as well as extremely quick and responsive. He is very much a team player.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
‘He is very commercially aware. ’
Legal 500, 2020
“His advocacy and client care are first rate.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“The consummate QC, there is no better”
Legal 500, 2018
“Highly knowledgeable in his field. Very thorough. He provides a pragmatic analysis of the issues informed by his wealth of experience.”
Legal 500, 2017
“He is held in high regard for his tactical skills and steely determination – you want him on your side.”
Chambers & Partners, 2016
“He’s extremely knowledgeable, easy to talk to and has a very good presence in court – all the things you would look for in a barrister.”
Chambers & Partners, 2016
