Richard Jones

Practice Overview

• Children (Public Law)

  In the public law arena, Richard represents the full range of parties be it for a Local Authority, the parents or Guardian and has undertaken a wide variety of cases dealing with allegations of serious sexual abuse and NAI. Of late, Richard has engaged in many cases involving applications for Special Guardianship Orders. Several of his more recent cases have encompassed matters relating to radicalisation and public law proceedings that involve overseas adoptions.

  Notable cases include:

  London Borough of Barking & Dagenham v RM & Ors [2023] EWHC 1879

  London Borough of Barking & Dagenham v RM & Ors [2023] EWHC 777

  An NHS Trust v ST (Refusal of Deprivation of Liberty Order) [2022] EWHC 719 (Fam)

  B, R & G (a Child) [2022] EWHC 320 (Fam)

  Re A and B (Children Restrictions on Parental Responsibilty Radicalisation and Extremism) [2016] EWFC40; [2016] 2 FLR 977

  London Borough of Barking and Dagenham v SS [2014] EWHC 4436 (Fam); [2015] 2 FLR 1358

• Children (Private Law)

  His private law work includes disputes relating to child arrangements orders as well as leave to remove applications. Several of his more recent cases focus on fact-finding hearings where alleged parental alienation has been an issue.

  In addition to cases where he represents parents, Richard also undertakes work on behalf of r 16.4 Guardian’s in complex and intractable disputes.

  Richard has appeared in several cases concerning surrogacy and parental order applications relating to s.54 of the HFEA 2008.

  Notable cases include:

  T (Children: Non-Disclosure), Re [2024] EWCA Civ 241

  H (Step-Parent Adoption: Human Rights), Re [2023] EWHC 3186

  Re S (Inherent Jurisdiction: Transgender Surgery Abroad) [2023] EWHC 347

  F v M & Ors [2020] EWHC 3532 (Fam) (18 November 2020)

  I (Children: Child Assessment Order) [2020] EWCA Civ 281

  CS v SCH and Others [2019] EWHC 634 (Fam)

  Re H (Parental Alienation) [2019] EWHC 2723 (Fam)

  Re T (Parental Alienation) [2019] EWHC 3854 (Fam)

  Re M (Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 228

  Re A B (Surrogacy Consent) [2016] EWHC 2643 (Fam)

• International Family Law

  The number of family law cases with an international element is fast increasing and Richard has particular expertise in child cases relating to child abduction be in for the applicants or respondents.

  In addition to this Richard has represented local authorities in public law proceedings relating to placement of children overseas.

  Notable cases include:

  AB v CD [2018] EWHC 1590 (Fam)

  C v S [2014] EWHC 3799 (Fam)

   

• Domestic Violence & Injunctions

  Richard undertakes the full range of family law injunctions both in relation to Non-Molestation/Occupation Orders and also Human Rights Act injunctions. 

• Mediation

  Richard undertakes both single and co-mediation in chambers and is a member of FMA.

• Modern Families & Surrogacy

  Richard is increasingly instructed in applications involving surrogacy and appeared in the Court of Appeal (being led by Deirdre Fottrell KC) in the case of Re M (Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 228. 

  
  Richard was also instructed in the case of Re AB (Surrogacy Consent) [2016] EWHC 2643 (Fam) which highlighted the current restrictions in respect of the court being able to make a parental order. 
   

   

• What the Directories Say

  "He's a real solid presence in court and his advocacy is excellent. Richard is one of those advocates who can make something legally complex look simple."  Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2024

  "Richard is a great children's barrister. He listens and has a great way with clients, making it his mission to understand their instructions and give the best advice possible." Band 2 - Chambers and Partners, 2024

  "Richard is unflappable. He is calm and persuasive and vigorously presents his client's case." Tier 3 – Legal 500, 2023

  "Richard is a fantastic advocate and clients really appreciate his approach." Band 3 - Chambers and Partners, 2023

  "A future silk, he's an engaging advocate with a very attractive style that wins him the ear of the court." Band 3 - Chambers and Partners, 2023

  "Richard is absolutely faultless, impresses clients and judges alike with his sensible, empathetic and constructive approach to all cases. The go-to counsel for all children matters." Tier 4 – Legal 500, 2023

  “Softly spoken but a highly effective persuasive advocate. He knows how to read and play the court to perfection.” Tier 5 – Legal 500, 2022

  "Clients love his personality, he is charm personified. He easily puts clients at ease and explains areas of concern or complexity in a manner which is clear and concise but not patronising. He is very easy to work with.’" Legal 500, 2021

  "Richard has a warm, empathetic manner which is ideal for handling children's law work. He is always fantastically well prepared and great on his feet." "An enthusiastic, solid advocate who puts his heart and soul into the case." Chambers and Partners, 2021

  “Fights hard and passionately for his clients.” Legal 500, 2020

  “A clear and persuasive advocate who is excellent on the law and very easy to work with.” Chambers and Partners, 2020

  “He’s excellent with clients but is still forceful as an advocate when necessary.” Chambers and Partners, 2020

  "Loved by the courts and clients alike." Legal 500, 2019 

  "He is proactive and passionate on behalf of his clients." Chambers and Partners, 2019

  "He's a brilliant and confident lawyer, who is very sharp and able." Chambers and Partners, 2019

  "Calm, caring and terribly good, he's great to work with and so reliable whether the case is complex or simple." Chambers and Partners, 2018

  Recognised for his expertise in challenging private law children proceedings and noted for his effective client manner. He handles a large volume of complex cases relating to parents seeking contact with their children and exhibits strength in the growing area of surrogacy. 

  "One of the loveliest and most effective advocates; he's so erudite and handles sensitive cases perfectly, taking exactly the right approach. He also has great technical expertise." Chambers and Partners, 2017

  An example of a barrister who really gets to the bottom of the family dynamics involved in a case. Peers praise his willingness to go above and beyond. Jones focuses on private children matters and international abduction cases.

  "He really cares about the clients and the children involved, and makes a concerted effort to understand what's important to them." Chambers and Partners, 2016

  A good choice for both private and public children law matters, and someone with a particular strength in international proceedings such as child abduction cases. He is regularly instructed by local authorities, guardians and parents in public law proceedings relating to non-accidental injury and the emotional abuse of children.

  "He gets on well with the clients, takes a lot of trouble with his cases, and is now someone with a strong following." Chambers and Partners, 2015

  One of the set's rising stars, Richard Jones is recieving increasingly positive feedback from the market. His expertise lies in private and public law children law matters.

  "Totally reliable and a hard worker, he always fully reads the papers and memorises them. Clients think he is simply superb." Chambers and Partners, 2014

• Notable Cases

  H (Step-Parent Adoption: Human Rights), Re [2023] EWHC 3186

  London Borough of Barking & Dagenham v RM & Ors [2023] EWHC 1879

  London Borough of Barking & Dagenham v RM & Ors [2023] EWHC 777

  Re S (Inherent Jurisdiction: Transgender Surgery Abroad) [2023] EWHC 347

  Re X (Catastrophic Injury: Collection and Storage of Sperm) [2022] EWCOP 48

  F v M & Ors [2020] EWHC 3532 (Fam) (18 November 2020)

  I (Children: Child Assessment Order) [2020] EWCA Civ 281

  CS v SCH and Others [2019] EWHC 634 (Fam)

  Re H (Parental Alienation) [2019] EWHC 2723 (Fam)

  Re T (Parental Alienation) [2019] EWHC 3854 (Fam)

  AB v CD [2018] EWHC 1590 (Fam)

  Re M (Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 228

  Re AB (Surrogacy Consent) [2016] EWHC 2643 (Fam)

  C v S [2014] EWHC 3799 (Fam)