Professional Liability
Richard has a well-established practice in the field of professional negligence, particularly in cases involving construction (architects, engineers, and surveyors) and insurance. Richard is recommended in the Legal 500 for his professional negligence work.
Selected Cases
- Acted (led by David Sears KC) for M&E contractors in a substantial dispute arising out of the construction of a college.
- Acted in professional negligence claim against actuaries who had advised in matrimonial proceedings.
- Acted for solicitors in professional negligence claim arising out of failed litigation.
- Acted for property developers in a claim against civil engineers arising out of failure to detect presence of asbestos during a ground survey.
- Acted in several claims against LPA receivers and claims of sales of property at an undervalue.
- Acting for residential purchasers in a claims against conveyancing solicitors arising out of failure to obtain deposit protection insurance under NHBC.
- Acting for firm of architects in professional negligence claim in dispute over assessment of final account and allegations of failure properly to administer the contract.
- Acting for owners of a warehouse in a claim against design and build contractors arising out of defects in the design and construction of the roof.
- Acting for property owners in a claim against architects / project managers arising from a failure to carry out an effective restoration of a water damaged building
- Acting for firm of architects in claim involving allegations of negligent over-valuation of contractors’ applications for payment.
- Acting for sub-contractors in c.£4m dispute involving allegations of defective piling / ground improvement leading to the settlement of a leisure centre.
- Acting for Northern Rock in claim against solicitors firm, arising out of negligence in residential conveyancing.
- Acting for building contractors in a c.£400,000 claim following a fire at a listed residential property, involving allegations of negligent construction work and / or breach of contract.
- Acted in professional negligence claim against solicitors firm following negligent conduct of divorce proceedings resulting in dispersal of matrimonial assets.
- Liberty Syndicate Management Ltd v Campagna Ltd [2011] EWHC 209 (TCC); (2011) 27 Const LJ 275; [2011] All ER (D) 62 – Acted as a junior counsel in a three-week multi-million pound professional negligence claim against technical auditors under a latent defects policy.
Awards
- Arbitration Club Phillip Ranner Prize
- Kings College Construction Law Association Prize
- Lord Mansfield Scholar (BVC), Lincoln’s Inn
- Lord Haldane Scholar (CPE), Lincoln’s Inn
News
- Crown Office Chambers recognised by Legal 500 EMEA 2024 for construction expertise in the Middle East
- Members of Chambers recognised by the Legal 500 EMEA 2023 for their construction expertise in the Middle East
Events
- Richard Sage and Andy Flanagan to attend Riyadh International Disputes Week, 3-7 March 2024
- Dubai Arbitration Week 2023
Articles
- King v Stiefel: a useful guide to making and responding to wasted costs applications
- New Guidance Published on Responsible Contractual Behaviour
Qualifications
- BA History (First Class), Oxford University
- CPE (Distinction), City University
- BVC (Very Competent), BPP University
- MSc Construction Law & Dispute Resolution (Distinction)
Memberships
- Technology and Construction Court Bar Association (TECBAR)
- Society of Construction Law
- Adjudication Society
- Young International Arbitration Group
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
- Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
- London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association (LCLCBA)
Recommendations
“Richard is excellent. The work product he produces is second to none.”… “He’s very accessible, very responsive, very thorough and provides well-thought-out arguments.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Richard is very easy to work with – friendly for both instructing solicitors and clients. Richard is pragmatic and able to cut through complicated legal concepts to the crux of issues and prepare persuasive pleadings.”
Legal 500, 2024
“An extremely intelligent junior who distils complex information quickly, and is very calm and collected at all times.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Richard is outstanding. He is extremely bright, fantastic with clients, and immensely hard-working.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Richard has provided comprehensive advice at all stages and has been particularly strong in conference, in complex and changing areas of law, coupled with strong drafting skills and advocacy.”
Legal 500, 2023
“Richard is great on detail, and on working with technical experts to ensure sometimes extremely complex technical issues are presented in the most effective and comprehensible way. He is very easy to get on with, user-friendly, and good with clients and experts.” “Tactically astute; very user friendly. No obvious weaknesses.”
Legal 500, 2023
“He is a pleasure to work with, extremely responsive and produces tightly written well considered pleadings and advice.” “”Richard is very good on the detail as well as the analysis of the law and expert issues.” “”He is a pleasure to work with, extremely responsive and produces tightly written well considered pleadings and advice.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
“He advises his clients with great skill and sensitivity and he’s an excellent team player and a brilliant advocate.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Richard is a class act and very knowledgeable. His key strengths from an international perspective are his ability to work as part of a team and his excellent tactical acumen. His advice is clear, concise, and commercially-minded.”
Legal 500, 2022
“His attention to detail is very good and he always thinks through to the end game. He is thoroughly easy to deal with, very approachable and very good with clients.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Richard’s technical expertise is first rate, but his true strength is his ability to communicate complex technical legal issues in a manner which is readily understandable by the lay clients.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Very hardworking and will dedicate himself to a case. He is always available to provide a guiding hand and his advice is invaluable.” “His quiet confidence belies a sharp, keen mind and a steady, measured determination and focus that make him an incredibly reassuring and competent advocate to work with.” “He is tactically astute, responds quickly and has excellent drafting skills.”
Legal 500, 2021
