Richard English K.C.

Richard English K.C.

Call 2003 | Silk 2025

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020 7404 1881
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Richard English K.C.

Call 2003 | Silk 2025

“Richard is personable and his attention to detail is great”.

Chambers & Partners 2024

“Richard English is a notable practitioner with a significant reputation for his work in cases involving mentally disordered defendants. He primarily practises on the defence side, but he is also called upon to prosecute in complex multi-handed cases”.

Chambers & Partners 2024

“He is an excellent junior barrister, he is extremely knowledgeable and able to explain the most difficult points to clients”.

Chambers & Partners 2025

“He provides full advice and has a wonderful courtroom manner.”

Chambers & Partners 2025

“Richard is a strong advocate who has a keen eye for detail and is meticulous in his preparation.”

Legal 500, 2026

“Richard English KC is a wonderful KC“.

Chambers & Partners 2026

Richard is a skillful and persuasive advocate who prides himself on providing the best advice, and the most effective representation.

Richard is a native of Dublin. He studied History at Trinity College, Dublin University. He qualified as a solicitor in England in 1996, and in Ireland in 1997 where he practiced for two years. As a solicitor he was involved in a number of high-profile and complex cases amongst them – the London City Bond fraud and the Sally Clark appeal. He became a partner with Burton Copeland Solicitors in 2000.

He was called to the Bar in 2003 and practices at the Criminal Bar, appearing in courts in the North West and throughout the country. He has a predominately defence practice, but does prosecute in complex, document heavy, multi-handed cases.

He was a Law Society trainer on the Human Rights Acts and have been trained by Amicus in death row cases. He has advised the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas and has written for their journal on mental health issues.

Expertise

Richard has a particular interest and expertise in offences involving mentally disordered defendants. He is instructed because of his skill, patience and understanding of those who are particularly vulnerable when faced with the ordeal of appearing in court. He also appears in Mental Health Review Tribunals. He is a member of the Mental Health Lawyers Association, and in 2017 he was awarded a Post-Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Law from the University of Northumbria.

Notable Offences Involving Defendants with Mental Health Problems cases

R v R

A very serious allegation with a life threatening injury caused by a knife. Complicated by the fact that the Defendant was the Father of the Victim. Psychiatric and Psychological reports obtained which allowed the court draw back from what otherwise would have been a substantial custodial sentence.

R v B

Defending. Rape. 16-year old defendant unfit to stand trial. Jury not sure in relation to one allegation.
Hospital order with restrictions made.

R v J

Defending. Rape.11-year old defendant unfit to stand trial. Jury not sure in relation to one allegation. Supervision order made.

R v G

Defending. Rape. Defendant diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia, accused of a campaign of rape.

R v A

Defending. Arson. Defendant, while trying to take her own life, set fire to herself and in the process a block of flats causing extensive damage to the flats and serious injury to herself. Hospital order with restrictions.

R v P

Defending. Death by Dangerous Driving. Defendant found not guilty by reason of insanity. Absolute Discharge.

R v D

Defending. Attempted Murder. Defendant diagnosed as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorder, alleged to have tried to kill a former partner. Plea to a lesser offence accepted. Hospital Order without restrictions made.

R v E

Defending. Defendant diagnosed as suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Accused of perverting the course of justice by making a false allegation of rape.

R v J

Defending. Defendant diagnosed with persistent delusional disorder. Accused of arson and possession of weapons. Hospital order with restrictions.

R v P

Defending. Defendant diagnosed as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia was accused of attempting to murder a neighbour.

R v B

Defending. Murder. Defendant diagnosed as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, charged with murder, he admitted manslaughter and received a hospital order with restriction. Junior alone.

Notable Murder & Manslaughter cases

R v S

Defending. Murder. Convicted of robbery.

R v A

Defending. Murder. Guilty plea. Junior alone.

R v S

Defending. Murder. Guilty plea. Led by Mukthar Hussain QC.

R v B

Defending. Murder. Defendant diagnosed as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, charged with murder, he admitted manslaughter and received a hospital order with restrictions. Junior alone

R v T

Defending. Murder. Led by Paul Reid QC.

C R v L

Defending. Manslaughter. While in drink, the Defendant pushed his best friend who struck his head and died.

R v H

Defending, Manslaughter, led by James Pickup QC, D charged with others with causing the death of an 18-month old child. Robbery, drugs, firearms and assault.

R v S

Defending. Bournemouth Crown Court. Conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

R v E

Defending. Death by dangerous driving. Guilty plea. Community order imposed.

Richard is regularly instructed to represent those alleged to have committed the most serious sexual offences, which very often, are said to have happened many years before. Allegations of this type are invariably devastating to all involved; they require detailed preparation, patient, and when necessary robust advice, as well as thoughtful and sensitive consideration both in and out of court.

Notable Sexual Offences cases

R v B

Allegations made that in 2017 and 2018 D sexually abused girls aged 13 and 14; the allegations included a series of violent rapes. D had autism and great care was required in taking his instructions and keeping him informed of the trial’s progress. Cross examination of the complainants was a difficult exercise requiring considerable skill and preparation. Not Guilty verdicts after 4 week+ trial.

R v D

Defending a man accused of raping five women over a ten-month period. Leading junior.

R v H

Defending one of a number accused of a campaign of rape and abuse against young women.

R v S

Defending. Historic allegations of serious sexual abuse.

R v I

Defending. Adult Defendant accused of befriending online and then having a sexual relationship with a 14 year old.

Notable Financial Crime/Fraud cases

R v B

Defending. Defendant was acquitted after a nine month trial brought by the SFO following the collapse of the Defendant’s investment business and a loss of £170m to investors. Led by Stephen Solley QC.

R v S

Defending. Defendant acquitted following trial in relation to his alleged involvement in a Construction Industry Fraud Scheme. Led by Nick Johnson QC.

FSA v D

Defending. Advised the Defendant in relation to proceedings taken under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

R v P

Defending. Defendant pleaded guilty to fraud, having taken in the region of £100,000 from his Mother’s estate over which he had power of attorney.

Defending. Conspiracy to defraud Nat West Bank of £20m. Led by Paul Reid QC.

Associations and Memberships

  • Criminal Bar Association
  • The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
  • Northern Circuit
  • Mental Health Lawyers Association
  • Associate member of the American Bar Association

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