Introduction
Richard is Head of the 33 Bedford Row Family Practice Group. He has over 30 years' experience acting in complex cases, many demanding particular sensitivity. He is known for his calm, persuasive advocacy on behalf of all clients, whether parents, adopters, grandparents, children's guardians, local authorities or government departments. He has a thorough knowledge of the Wardship jurisdiction of the High Court.
Richard has appeared in some of the most complex cases in the family justice system including allegations of factitious illness, non-accidental injury (NAI) infant death, shaking incidents, skull and other fractures, sexual abuse, including multi-generational abuse, and all forms of neglect. He is known for his ability to absorb and analyse complex factual, medical and psychiatric evidence.
Richard has extensive experience of cases with a foreign element including foreign marriage and divorce and EU enforcement issues. He has appeared in many cases involving internal relocation and applications to remove from the jurisdiction. He is experienced in all aspects of child abduction, including Hague and non-Hague. He advises local authorities on jurisdictional issues, foreign placements and international mirror orders.
Richard accepts instructions in the Court of Protection, including issues relating to deprivation of liberty, applications for serious medical treatment, applications relating to vulnerable adults and the appointment of deputies (welfare and financial affairs).
Richard was appointed a Deputy District Judge in 1994 and received a specialist "ticket" in private family law authorising him to sit as a Deputy District Judge in 2010. His family cases benefit from his wide-ranging experience of the law including property, housing and insolvency issues that are frequently found in the disputes that arise in the family courts. His experience in courts at all levels representing the full range of clients, both public and private, ensures that his advice is based on sound experience and is solution-oriented.
Notable Cases
Richard has appeared in a number of reported cases over the years. These include:
Re D (a Child) (care order, designated authority) [2012] EWCA Civ, 627
Re D (children) [2011] EWCA Civ, 265
Richmond LBC v BW, B&CB [2011] 1FLR, 1345
Metropolitan Borough Council v L [1996] 3All ER, 264
Newham LBC v AG [1993] 1FLR, 281
Croydon LBC v A (no 1-3) [1992] 2FLR, 341, 348, 350
Re K (a Minor) (Wardship: Adoption) [1991] 1FLR, 57
Appointments
In 1994 Richard Clough was appointed County Court Deputy Distric Judge dealing with all aspects of civil, matrimonial finance, banruptcy housing and landlord and tenant law and procedure. In 2010 Richard received specialist confirmation ("Private Law Family Ticket") to hear all aspects of private law children applications.
Memberships
Family Law Bar Association (FLBA)