Richard enjoys a broad practice across all the core areas of Chambers’ work. He specialises in regulatory law, inquests, and inquiries. Richard is regularly instructed in a range of court matters, including inquests, regulatory and disciplinary hearings, fast track trials, and applications.

In April 2022, Richard started working on a major Public Inquiry alongside his court practice. He is part of the Inquiry’s Senior Counsel Team. For security clearance details, please contact Richard’s clerks.

Richard is qualified as both a Civil and Commercial mediator, and as a Workplace mediator. Acting in that capacity, he has experience of successfully resolving disputes.

Richard regularly undertakes pro bono cases. In 2024, Richard was nominated for Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year at the Bar Pro Bono Awards. He was also included in the inaugural Pro Bono Recognition List. In 2023, Richard fulfilled Advocate’s Pro Bono Pledge by completing a generous 57 hours of pro bono.

Richard studied History and Politics at the University of Exeter, graduating with a First Class degree. Owing to his performance in Finals, he was awarded a full postgraduate scholarship from Exeter to read for an MA in Political Theory. He was awarded various scholarships and awards for his legal training.

Regulatory & Disciplinary

Richard has an interest in all matters relating to regulatory and disciplinary law.

Since 2022, Richard has been and continues to be instructed by numerous regulators, including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (‘ACCA’), the General Optical Council (‘GOC’), the Health and Care Professions Council (‘HCPC’), and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (‘NMC’). Richard has extensive experience of interim order hearings, review hearings, and multi-day substantive hearings. Richard also has experience in the handling of vulnerable witnesses. Recent, multi-day instructions include:

  • A 8-day hearing involving misconduct allegations against an Operating Department Practitioner. Richard is acting for the HCPC.
  • A 8-day hearing involving allegations of sexual misconduct against a paramedic. Richard acted for the HCPC.
  • A 5-day hearing in respect of allegations of misconduct (lack of competence) made against a Biomedical Scientist.
  • A 3-day hearing involving allegations of dishonesty against a paramedic. Richard acted for the HCPC.
  • A 5-day hearing involving allegations of false claims and representations made by a paramedic. Richard acted for the HCPC.
  • A 9-day hearing arising from allegations that a nurse inappropriately retained patient medication and equipment. Richard acted for the NMC.
  • A 5-day inquest where the deceased had been detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Richard acted for an NHS Trust.

Richard also has experience of acting as a Panel Clerk to the Bar Tribunal and Adjudication Services.

Public Inquiries

Richard has a particular interest in public inquiry work. In April 2022, Richard started working on a major Public Inquiry alongside his court practice. He is part of the Inquiry’s Senior Counsel Team.

During pupillage, Richard assisted Steven Snowden KC with work relating to the Infected Blood Inquiry.

For security clearance details, please contact Richard’s clerks.

Inquests

Richard has experience of representing bereaved families and interested parties at multi-day inquests.

Richard has experience of acting at inquests arising in a prison context, as well as those arising in relation to clinical negligence matters.

Selected cases:

  1. Inquest touching upon the death of SM (2024): Richard represented an NHS Mental Health Trust at an inquest where the deceased had been detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. For more details, please see: https://www.farrarsbuilding.co.uk/richard-ive-represents-an-nhs-mental-health-trust-at-an-inquest-where-the-deceased-had-been-detained-under-section-136-of-the-mental-health-act-1983/
  2. Inquest touching upon the death of YY (2024): Richard represented a bereaved family at an inquest where the deceased died during surgery. On behalf of the bereaved family, he questioned several consultant cardiologists.
  3. Inquest touching upon the death of DO (2024): Richard represented a nurse at an inquest where the deceased had died in hospital having fallen ill with a sickle cell crisis.
  4. Inquest touching upon the death of LR (2024): Richard advised a bereaved family in respect of a potential judicial review challenge following a coroner’s decision not to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths Report.
  5. Inquest touching upon the death of CT (2023): Richard represented a bereaved family at an inquest where the deceased died of a drug-overdose within 24 hours of having been released from prison. Upon his release from prison, he had been provided with 28 days’ supply of drugs. For more details, please see: https://www.farrarsbuilding.co.uk/richard-ive-completes-advocates-pro-bono-pledge/

For security clearance details, please contact Richard’s clerks.

Public Law

Richard is a member of the Attorney General’s Junior Junior Scheme. He is regularly instructed by the GLD in high-profile cases.

Richard has particular experience of public law cases relating to the interplay between Articles 2, 3 and 8 that engage the judicial review principle of proportionality.

Richard has experience of advising clients on the merits of judicial review (and statutory) challenges. He is seeking to further develop his judicial review experience.

For security clearance details, please contact Richard’s clerks.

Mediation & Arbitration

Richard is qualified as both a Civil and Commercial mediator, and as a Workplace mediator. While acting as a mediator, he has successfully resolved a variety of disputes. He has experience of civil/ commercial disputes and disputes relating to the Equality Act 2010. Richard is happy to act as a mediator in a wide range of matters.

Personal Injury

Richard is frequently instructed in fast track trials on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants. He is happy to accept instructions for interim and case management hearings. He is also happy to accept paperwork instructions, including advices, schedules and pleadings. Richard regularly provides advice on procedure, tactics and settlement.

Richard’s previous experience working as an outdoor (sailing and climbing) instructor has given him a particular interest in personal injury cases that relate to high risk, ‘extreme’ sports. He has recently advised on a skiing case. He is keen to further develop his experience in this area.

Richard also has experience of led work.

Employment

Richard is keen to develop his practice in this area. He has successfully represented clients in the employment tribunal. He is happy to accept instructions from both Claimants and Defendants in relation to a wide-range of employment law matters.

Clinical Negligence

Richard is keen to develop his practice in this area. Richard gained a broad exposure to clinical negligence work during his 12-month pupillage while under the supervision of a specialist clinical negligence barrister. He worked on advices, pleadings and schedules, and observed numerous JSMs.

Civil Fraud

Richard is happy to accept instructions from both Claimants and Defendants where issues of fundamental dishonesty or fraud arise, both in RTA claims and personal claims more generally.

If you would like to instruct Richard Ive or would like help or advice in doing so, please call and talk to our excellent clerking team, led by Chief Executive/Director of Clerking, Paul Cray. Our phone number is +44 (0)20 7583 9241. Alternatively, please email us at chambers@farrarsbuilding.co.uk

For more information about our clerking team, please click here for the clerks page.

Appointments & Memberships


  • Advocate
  • ALBA
  • ARDL
  • GLD Junior Junior Scheme
  • PIBA
  • Lincoln’s Inn Denning Society

 

Education & Qualifications


  • 2018: Bar Professional Training Course, BPP (Outstanding)
  • 2017: Graduate Diploma in Law, BPP
  • 2016: MA in Political Theory, University of Exeter
  • 2015: BA in History and Politics, University of Exeter (First Class Honours

 

Scholarships, prizes and Awards:

  • 2020: Pupil Accommodation Award, Lincoln’s Inn
  • 2018: Buchanan Prize (for performance on the BPTC), Lincoln’s Inn
  • 2017: Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
  • 2017: Excellence Award, BPP
  • 2017: Advocacy Scholarship, BPP
  • 2017: Student Accommodation Award, Lincoln’s Inn
  • 2016: Lord Bowen Scholarship (top Lincoln’s Inn GDL scholarship), Lincoln’s Inn
  • 2016: Hardwicke Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
  • 2015: Full Postgraduate Scholarship, Exeter University

 

Testimonials


Richard recently represented a bereaved family at a multi-day inquest. The family that Richard represented thanked him for his ‘excellent representation’. On behalf of the bereaved family, the deceased’s sister commented:

‘Your dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to seeking justice for my brother’s untimely death were truly commendable.

 Throughout the inquest process, your professionalism and attention to detail were evident in all aspects of the case. Your ability to navigate complex legal matters and present compelling arguments assisted in shedding light on the issues surrounding my brother’s medical care and the circumstances leading to his passing.

 Your compassionate approach in handling my family’s emotions in this sensitive matter, combined with your vast knowledge and experience in the field, instilled confidence in me and my family during a challenging and emotionally difficult time.

 I would also like to express my gratitude for providing your services pro bono. Your generosity in offering your expertise without charge has been a tremendous help to us and has made a significant difference in seeking justice for my brother.

 I cannot thank you enough for your tireless efforts and dedication to our case. Your advocacy has not only allowed us to understand the circumstances surrounding my brother’s death better but also provided a platform to address the issues and seek accountability.

 Once again, thank you for your time, hard work, and commitment to justice. I would highly recommend your services to anyone seeking legal representation in similar matters.’

Personal Interests


Away from chambers, Richard’s interests include climbing, mountaineering, sailing, windsurfing, and cycling. He has climbed many of the classic routes, such as the Matterhorn and The Old Man of Hoy, and is qualified as a climbing and sailing instructor.