Richard Reynolds

Year of Call: 2007

"A very capable and intelligent lawyer, who provides sharp advice and can turn around instructions very quickly."

Legal 500, 2020

"The advice he gives is very good... it's accessible, easily digestible and practical."

Chambers UK, 2018

"A very capable and intelligent lawyer, who provides sharp advice and can turn around instructions very quickly."

Legal 500, 2021 (Immigration)

"The brightest young lawyer I have come across. Extremely bright, committed and professional, he has an encyclopaedic knowledge of international criminal law and is an incisive and logical thinker."

Chambers UK, 2017

"He's one of the brightest international criminal lawyers around. He'll go a long way." "Absolutely impressive. He is very thorough, and so professional in his advocacy."

Chambers UK, 2016

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Legal 500 2023: Leading Junior
Legal 500 2023: Leading Junior

Richard has a national and international human rights practice. Before domestic courts, he specialises in public law, civil claims against public authorities and inquests. Richard also appears before international courts and tribunals and has expertise in international criminal law, fair trial rights and environmental law. 

Richard is a former Judicial Assistant to Lady Hale at the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. He is ranked for International Criminal Law in Chambers UK (2018) and ranked for Immigration in the Legal 500 (2020).

Administrative and Public Law

Overview

Richard has a broad public law practice, encompassing prison law, asylum and immigration, and planning and environmental law. He has been involved in a number of high-profile judicial reviews raising issues of general public importance.

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

R (Davenport) v The Parole Board of England and Wales [2018] 1 WLR 2003
Mr Justice Walker quashed the Parole Board's decision to refuse to direct re-release, agreeing that there had been inadequate analysis of the evidence and no specific findings of fact. Richard was instructed by Bhatt Murphy Solicitors.

R (Steer) v Shepway District Council [2018] EWHC 238 (Admin)
Mrs Justice Lang quashed the decision to grant planning permission for a holiday park in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Richard and Marc Willers QC were instructed by Richard Buxton Solicitors.

R (Dennehy) v Secretary of State for Justice [2016] EWHC 1219 (Admin)
Mr Justice Singh held that as her segregation had not been lawfully authorised, there had been a breach of Joanna Dennehy's Article 8 rights. Richard and Hugh Southey QC were instructed by Duncan Lewis Solicitors.

R (Chester) v Secretary of State for Justice [2014] AC 271 (Supreme Court)
Although the Supreme Court dismissed the Appellants' appeals, it followed the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights that the UK's blanket ban on prisoners voting in Parliamentary and European Parliamentary elections is incompatible with the Convention. Richard and Hugh Southey QC were instructed by Chivers Solicitors.

R (Cox) v Independent Adjudicator [2013] EWHC 2753 (Admin)
Prisoner's finding of guilt and his additional days quashed where CCTV evidence that could have assisted his case was not made available to him. Richard was instructed by Swain & Co Solicitors.

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Inquests and Inquiries

Overview

Richard specialises in representing family members whose loved ones have died at the hands of the State. He has particular experience of inquests into deaths in custody, restraint deaths and fatal police shootings.

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

Inquest touching upon the death of Christopher Tyler
At the end of this two-week inquest, the jury concluded that Mr Tyler, a prisoner at HMP Thameside, died "in part because of serious failures in medical care". Richard was instructed by Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors.

Inquest touching upon the death of Richard Walsh
At the end of this four-week inquest, the jury found that failures by a mental health assessment team amounted to neglect. Richard was instructed by Hickman & Rose Solicitors.

Inquest touching upon the death of Imran Douglas
After three weeks of evidence and four days of deliberations, the jury returned 17 pages of narrative conclusions, criticising the Ministry of Justice, Care UK, the Youth Justice Board and Tower Hamlets Youth Offending Team. Richard was instructed by Hickman & Rose Solicitors.

Inquest touching upon the death of Kingsley Burrell
After a six-week inquest, the jury unanimously concluded that excessive force by the police contributed to Mr Burrell's death, as did delay by police and mental health staff in providing medical treatment. The jury returned a conclusion of neglect. Richard and Karon Monaghan QC of Matrix Chambers were instructed by Bhatt Murphy Solicitors.

Inquest touching upon the death of Cherry Groce
Mrs Groce was shot in her bedroom by the Metropolitan Police, an incident that triggered the 1985 Brixton Riots. The jury found that Mrs Groce's death was contributed to by multiple serious failures by the police in the planning and execution of the armed raid on her house. Richard and Dexter Dias QC were instructed by Bhatt Murphy Solicitors.

Inquest touching upon the death of Jake Hardy
Jake, a vulnerable 17-year-old, hanged himself after staff at YOI Hindley failed to protect him from being bullied. At the end of a six-week inquest, the jury unanimously found that a dozen failures by the prison contributed to his death. Richard and Dexter Dias QC were instructed by Hickman & Rose Solicitors.

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IMMIGRATION: ASYLUM AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Overview

Richard has extensive experience in asylum, immigration and nationality law. He conducts appeals and judicial review proceedings in the Upper Tribunal and the higher courts. He also undertakes claims arising out of immigration detention.

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

AD (Sierra Leone) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, C5/2015/0920
Court of Appeal case considering the circumstances in which a mentally unwell person can be deported. Richard and Duran Seddon were instructed by Perry Clements Solicitors.

R (Ismail) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (JR/14215/2015)
Successful judicial review of refusal to treat further representations as a fresh claim in an Iraqi asylum case. Richard was instructed by Duncan Lewis Solicitors.

Immigration detention claim
Claim on behalf of a mother and her two young children who were all subject to two periods of immigration detention. The case settled for over £50,000. Richard and Stephanie Harrison QC were instructed by Bhatt Murphy Solicitors.

MM (Iran) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2011] INLR 206 (Court of Appeal)
Richard, Leonie Hirst and Hugh Southey QC were instructed by Baker McKenzie on behalf of the intervener, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in this case on the domestic effect of a grant by UNHCR of mandate refugee status.

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Prisoners’ Rights

Overview

Richard has a long-standing interest and expertise in prison law, specialising in complex and serious Parole Board hearings and judicial reviews.

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

R (Davenport) v The Parole Board of England and Wales [2018] 1 WLR 2003
Mr Justice Walker quashed the Parole Board's decision to refuse to direct re-release, agreeing that there had been inadequate analysis of the evidence and no specific findings of fact.

R (Dennehy) v Secretary of State for Justice [2016] EWHC 1219 (Admin)
Mr Justice Singh held that as her segregation had not been lawfully authorised, there had been a breach of Joanne Dennehy's Article 8 rights. Richard was led by Hugh Southey QC.

R (Chester) v Secretary of State for Justice [2014] AC 271 (Supreme Court)
Although the Supreme Court dismissed the Appellants' appeals, it followed the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights that the UK's blanket ban on prisoners voting in Parliamentary and European Parliamentary elections is incompatible with the Convention. Richard was led by Hugh Southey QC.

R (Cox) v Independent Adjudicator [2013] EWHC 2753 (Admin)
Prisoner's finding of guilt and his additional days quashed where CCTV evidence that could have assisted his case was not made available to him.

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International Crime and Conflict Law

Overview

Richard's practice includes international criminal law and international fair trial cases. He has advised and acted for Governments, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and individuals.

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

Advice on potential inter-State claim
Richard, Paul Clark and Dexter Dias QC provided advice to a foreign government on a potential inter-State claim arising out of colonial-era crimes and human rights violations.

Kaytan v Turkey, App. No. 27422/05, judgment of 15 September 2015
The European Court of Human Rights held that the imposition under Turkish law of a life sentence without the possibility of review violated Article 3 of the Convention.

Justin Mugenzi v The Prosecutor, ICTR-99-50-A, the "Government II" case
Richard was part of the defence team instructed by Mr Mugenzi in his trial and appeal before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Mugenzi had been the Minister of Trade in the Interim Government of Rwanda during the genocide of 1994. In February 2013, the Appeals Chamber overturned his convictions and ordered his immediate release.

Arrest warrant for war crimes
Richard, Paul Troop and Steve Kamlish QC were instructed to make this successful application for an arrest warrant against a former foreign government minister.

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International Human Rights

Overview

Richard has been instructed in a number of high-profile cases before the European Court of Human Rights and other human rights tribunals. 

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

Portuguese Youth v 33 Respondent States 
Groundbreaking application by six young people to the European Court of Human Rights challenging the failure by major emitting States of the Council of Europe to sufficiently reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Richard, led by Marc Willers QC, is instructed by the Global Legal Action Network.

Advice on potential inter-State claim
Richard, Paul Clark and Dexter Dias QC provided advice to a foreign government on a potential inter-State claim arising out of colonial-era crimes and human rights violations.

Kaytan v Turkey, App. No. 27422/05, judgment of 15 September 2015
The European Court of Human Rights held that the imposition under Turkish law of a life sentence without the possibility of review violated Article 3 of the Convention.

Balaj et al v The United Nations Mission in Kosovo, HRAP/04/07, Opinion of 27 February 2015
The Human Rights Advisory Panel found that in fatally shooting demonstrators in Pristina in February 2007, United Nations Police had violated Articles 2 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Richard was part of a small team of barristers shortlisted for the Bar Pro Bono Award for their work on this case.

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International Environmental Law

Overview

Since helping to advise climate-vulnerable nations in the negotiations that led to the Paris Agreement on climate change, Richard's international environmental law work has grown into a significant proportion of his practice. 

Notable Cases

Portuguese Youth v 33 Respondent States 
Groundbreaking application by six young people to the European Court of Human Rights challenging the failure by major emitting States of the Council of Europe to sufficiently reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Richard, led by Marc Willers QC, is instructed by the Global Legal Action Network.

Carvalho v The European Parliament (Case T-330/18) (“the People’s Climate Case”)
High-profile challenge to emission reduction targets set by the European Parliament and European Council. Richard and Marc Willers QC were instructed by CAN-Europe to draft an application to intervene.

UN climate change negotiations
Richard provided advice through the Legal Response Initiative (LRI) during the negotiations that led to the Paris Agreement on climate change. LRI provides legal support to particularly climate-vulnerable developing countries.

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Pro Bono Work

Richard was one of the team of barristers who worked pro bono to secure the quashing of the original Hillsborough inquest verdict.

Richard was one of a small team of barristers shortlisted for the Bar Pro Bono Award for their work on the Balaj et al v The United Nations Mission in Kosovo case.

Richard is a representative for Bail for Immigration Detainees.

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Notable Cases & News

European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber to Deliver Rulings in Landmark Climate Justice Cases

Marc Willers KC and Richard Harvey represent the Swiss Senior Women in Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland. Richard Reynolds and Paul Clark represent the youth-applicants in Duarte Agostinho and Others v. Portugal and 32 Others.

28 March 2024

Climate Case to be heard at European Court of Human Rights against 32 European States brought by 6 Portuguese youth

Richard Reynolds and Paul Clark are representing the youth-applicants, led by Alison Macdonald KC of Essex Court Chambers. Counsel are instructed by Global Legal Action Network.

26 September 2023

Coordinated effort by 33 countries to overturn ‘urgent’ status of youth climate change case rejected by Strasbourg Court

Our Marc Willers QC, Irena Sabic, Richard Reynolds, Paul Clark and Ella Gunn of Garden Court Chambers represent the youth-applicants

26 February 2021

European Court of Human Rights is fast-tracking a climate case against 33 European States brought by 6 Portuguese youth

Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) instructing Marc Willers QC, Irena Sabic, Richard Reynolds, Paul Clark and Ella Gunn of Garden Court Chambers.

30 November 2020

Portuguese young people file ground-breaking climate case with European Court of Human Rights against 33 countries

Global Legal Action Network instructing Marc Willers QC, Irena Sabic, Richard Reynolds, Paul Clark and Ella Gunn of Garden Court Chambers.

3 September 2020

CAN Europe is intervening in the People’s Climate Case

Marc Willers QC of the Garden Court Chambers Environmental and Planning Law Team is the leading barrister representing CAN Europe. Garden Court's Richard Reynolds, Paul Clark and Julia Lowis worked with Marc on the application to intervene. 

20 September 2018

Inquest jury concludes that Christopher Tyler, a prisoner at HMP Thameside, “died in part because of serious failures in medical care”

Richard Reynolds represented Mr Tyler’s sister and was instructed by Jocelyn Cockburn and Claire Brigham of Hodge, Jones and Allen Solicitors.

13 July 2018

High Court quashes Parole Board refusal to direct re-release

The claimant was represented by Richard Reynolds of Garden Court Chambers and Hamish Arnott of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors.

6 April 2018

High Court quashes decision to grant planning permission for a holiday park in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The claimant was represented by Marc Willers QC and Richard Reynolds of Garden Court Chambers’ Environmental Team.

16 February 2018

Children affected by climate change are crowdfunding to sue European governments

The Global Legal Action Network is preparing to bring a case to the ECHR to sue 47 European governments for inaction.

27 September 2017

Women compensated by the Ministry of Justice for strip-searches in prison

Una Morris was instructed to represent the women at trial and negotiated settlement of the claims.

7 March 2017

Garden Court and Stephanie Harrison QC shortlisted for Human Rights and Public Law awards

Garden Court has been shortlisted at the Chambers Bar Awards, whilst Stephanie and our Public Law Team are shortlisted at the Legal 500 Awards.

21 October 2016

A prisoner who took his own life in HMP Belmarsh should never have been in prison, an inquest jury has found

Richard Reynolds of Garden Court Chambers represented the family at the inquest.

4 October 2016

Jury returns damning conclusions at inquest into death of Imran Douglas

Imran’s mother was represented by Kirsten Heaven. Imran’s father, sister and step-mother were represented by Richard Reynolds.

5 November 2015

Chambers UK Bar Guide ranks Garden Court in Band 1

Garden Court Chambers recognised as a leading set for immigration, social housing, civil liberties, police law, Court of Protection, crime and inquests and public inquiries.

30 October 2015

ECtHR holds life sentence without review amounts to inhuman punishment

Richard Reynolds of Garden Court Chambers represented the applicant before the European Court of Human Rights.

15 September 2015

Garden Court International advising on UN climate change negotiations

Richard Reynolds is advising Legal Response Initiative on public international issues.

4 September 2015

Jury returns devastating narrative conclusions and finding of neglect in Kingsley Burrell inquest

Richard Reynolds of Garden Court Chambers represented the mothers of the Deceased’s children.

18 May 2015

UN found to have breached human rights of peaceful protesters

UN to give public apology and compensation for role in deaths of protesters. Paul Troop was leading counsel.

4 March 2015

Inquest jury returns critical verdict in respect of death in custody of South Yorkshire Police

South Yorkshire Police admit officers and employees made 16 failures in their handling of Mr Budziszewski.

16 February 2015

Announcing the Legal Expertise Access Platform (LEAP) initiative

Garden Court Chambers is pleased to announce the launch of the Legal Expertise Access Platform (LEAP) – an initiative in support of the rule of law in Africa.

4 November 2014

Shooting of Cherry Groce caused by serious police failures

Dexter Dias QC and Richard Reynolds win highly critical verdict in Cherry Groce inquest.

11 July 2014

Funding granted for Richard Reynolds to be junior counsel in Cherry Groce inquest

Inquest into death of Cherry Groce, who was shot by the Metropolitan police, due to begin next week.

25 June 2014

Dexter Dias QC and Deborah Coles publish article in Independent on Jake Hardy inquest

Article makes the case for deaths of children in custody to be added to the Independent Review into custodial deaths.

11 April 2014

Dexter Dias QC and Richard Reynolds obtain devastatingly critical jury verdict in Jake Hardy inquest

Jury finds serious prison failures contributed to the death of 17-year-old Jake Hardy.

4 April 2014

Supreme Court confirms that prisoner voting ban violates European Convention on Human Rights

The Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously decided to follow the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights that the blanket ban on convicted prisoners voting is incompatible with their rights under Article 3 of Protocol No 1 to the ECHR.

18 October 2013

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Background

Richard practised at the Chambers of Michael Mansfield QC before joining Garden Court Chambers. He previously worked as a caseworker in the immigration department of Wilson Solicitors LLP, as a researcher at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, and as an intern at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

Richard has completed the Keble International Advanced Advocacy Course.

Publications

Regular contributor to the Asylum and Immigration Law update for the Legal Action Group magazine.

‘An Emergency Like No Other: The Portuguese Youth Case'. Guest piece for the bulletin of the Public Interest Law Alliance, September 2020.

'Human Rights in the Line of Fire: Al-Skeini v United Kingdom' (2011) Judicial Review 16 (4).

Richard was a researcher for the British Institute of International and Comparative Law's Evidence Before the International Court of Justice, published in February 2009.

'Commentary on Jones v Saudi Arabia [2006] UKHL 26', British Institute of International and Comparative Law's Bulletin of Legal Developments, Issue 13, July 2006.

Training and Seminars

Richard regularly provides numerous seminars both in Chambers and at solicitors' firms.

He also provided human rights training for Avocats Sans Frontières in Uganda, and went on mission to observe prison conditions in Turkey.

Richard spoke at the 30th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, Geneva, on "The Suppression of Political Dissent Through Law: the Case of Bahrain" (2015).

Richard delivered a talk as part of the Kingsley Napley International Criminal Law series on "The immunity of State officials before national criminal courts" (2017).

Awards

Middle Temple 2008 Colombos Essay Prize

Middle Temple Certificate of Honour, 2007

Middle Temple Queen Mother BVC Scholarship, 2006 - 2007

Winner of the UK final of the Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, 2005

Blackstone Chambers Prize for Best Dissertation in Public International Law, LSE, 2005

Joint winner, Derby Bryce Prize for Best Performance in Public International Law, University of London, 2005

Education

  • Bar Vocational Course (Outstanding) - BPP Law School
  • LLM Public International Law (Distinction) - LSE
  • GDL - City University
  • BA (Hons) Modern History - Lincoln College, Oxford University

Professional Membership

  • British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL)
  • Member of the Legal Action Committee of the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN)

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