Richard Smith

Richard is instructed on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants in cases of clinical negligence of all types. He has a broad experience and active caseload including multi-million pound claims and is involved in claims at all stages from pre-action to trial. He frequently advises on substantive matters of liability and quantum, as well as on procedural and interlocutory matters. He also appears at inquests for families and medical professionals in cases where there is a suggestion that death could have resulted from clinical error.

Richard has broad experience of representing medical and dental practitioners before their regulatory bodies. He regularly appears before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal in Fitness to Practise cases brought by the GMC, and before the Professional Conduct Committee of the GDC. He is also instructed in cases where the regulator is seeking an interim order.

Richard is a contributor to Disciplinary and Regulatory Proceedings, 10^th Ed. LexisNexis.

Richard’s experience in the field of professional negligence primarily focuses on negligence claims against solicitors and barristers, although he has also appeared in cases brought against surveyors, architects and accountants.

Richard is often called upon to advise on costs issues arising out of cases in the areas of law listed above. He has appeared in the SCCO to argue matters of law prior to or during detailed assessment proceedings.

Richard has extensive experience in the field of personal injury including claims for injuries of the utmost severity.

Richard has great experience of appearing before Coroners’ Courts. He brings an in-depth knowledge of healthcare and professional discipline when representing families and a range of Interested Persons at inquests. This includes jury inquests and inquests which garner media attention.

Selected Cases

• Inquest touching the death of Susan Warby (2021)
• Inquest touching the death of SS (2020): death from complications of sepsis.
• Inquest touching the death of LZ (2020): death of teenage with CHARGE syndrome.
• Inquest touching the death of Colette McCulloch (2019)
• Inquest touching the death of Lauren Sandell (2018): failure to provide vaccination for Meningitis W.
• Inquest touching the death of Robert Entenmann (2015): death in private hospital following routine surgery.