Leads the firm’s international disputes group and previously served as leader of the London disputes team.
Acts for a range of financial institutions on high-value, complex and cross-border disputes.
Particular experience in distressed debt and contentious restructuring matters.

Richard acts for a range of financial institutions on high-value, complex and cross-border disputes. He focuses his practice on finance and securities law matters, as well as insolvency and restructuring situations.

Richard is particularly skilled at marshalling facts and developing legal strategy in high-stakes disputes that are often emotionally charged. The Legal 500 writes that clients describe him as “destined for the very top, an absolutely determined streetfighter, someone you’d want on your side if the chips are down.”

With experience in conducting and resolving disputes—both in arbitration and litigation—in the United Kingdom and elsewhere around the world, Richard has deep experience in representing investment firms in distressed debt and contentious restructuring situations. Richard qualified as a solicitor advocate in 2002 and is also qualified as a solicitor in Hong Kong, where he previously practised. Richard is a CEDR accredited mediator.

Representative Work

Successfully advised an ad hoc group of noteholders of a German real estate company on the first English Court of Appeal judgment regarding a restructuring plan and the parameters of the cross-class cram down power. This landmark decision is highly significant in the UK and cross-border restructuring market, as it is the first time a UK in-court restructuring sanctioned at first instance has been set aside.
Advising a global asset management firm on its landmark judicial review appeal against the London Metal Exchange (LME) in a high-stakes matter valued at nearly a half-billion dollars.
Represented an ad hoc group of lenders of a global engineering and construction company in challenging the $2.7 billion joint English restructuring plan and Dutch WHOA plans.
Advised a large food and retail conglomerate on an application to the English court to redeem secured debt by way of a payment into court. Having obtained the necessary licences and guidance from the UK, EU and US sanctions authorities, the order was granted and payment was made into court. This provided a novel use of the English court’s jurisdiction to help the client overcome operational and financial challenges created by the sanctioning of certain of its key financial stakeholders.

"He is able to think several steps ahead and is great at communicating complex concepts to clients. He is good at developing strategy and has a natural instinct for what will work in court."

Chambers UK, 2022

Education
L.P.C., The College of Law, London, 1997
CPE, The College of Law, London, 1996
B.A., University of Bristol, 1994

Bar Admissions
Solicitor, England and Wales
Solicitor, Hong Kong

Recognitions

Chambers UK, Banking Litigation, 2020-2025.
The Legal 500 UK, Banking Litigation: Investment and Retail; Leading Individual, Commercial Litigation: Premium, 2016-2025.

Speeches and Publications

“Funding,” Global Legal Group Global Class Actions Symposium, November 2023, London.
“The Rise of Class Actions in the UK and EU,” Mondaq Webinar, February 2022, London.
“Funding International Collective Proceedings,” ICLG.com Global Class Actions Symposium, November 2021, London.