Richard is a senior consultant solicitor, mediator and collaborative lawyer in our Private Family Law Team.
Richard has been a qualified solicitor for over 30 years. He has dealt with a wide variety of cases ranging from complex financial matters to children’s cases, domestic abuse, pre and post Nuptial Agreements and disputes involving unmarried people.
His clients have ranged from senior business people, entrepreneurs, professionals, sports people, lawyers, doctors and home makers.
Examples of Richard’s recent work include:-
Although Richard is sometimes involved in court proceedings, he is also an accredited mediator and collaborative lawyer with a considerable level of experience. He has helped to resolve many difficult cases through careful, practical and sensitive discussions. On occasion these will involve the client’s solicitors and others professionals including counsellors, accountants and valuers.
Richard has been ranked Band 1 in Chambers and Partners and is listed as a ‘key lawyer’ in the Legal 500 2022 for family law.
It is very important that solutions are tailored to a client’s personal circumstances. Usually that will mean resolving any issues without the cost, stress and uncertainty of court proceedings. However there are times when court is necessary to protect a client and/or a child’s best interests. If that is the case I will pursue that firmly but always leave the door open to a resolution.
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Machins Solicitors has demonstrated once again its ability to deliver to its clients, maintaining its position as a top-tier firm for family law for the sixth consecutive year. We are also proud to announce that our multi-faceted practice has been recommended in a further seven practice areas in The Legal 500 2025 edition.
The Family Procedure Rules have been updated to improve the level of attendance by divorcing couples at mediator initial assessment meetings (MIAMs). The government has introduced the changes because the previous rules were not applied to the extent expected and did not divert couples away from court proceedings and towards mediation to the degree that
Separating couples will get early legal advice as part of the Government’s family court reforms, but the idea of introducing mandatory mediation has been scrapped. A legal advice pilot will be launched to help families agree child arrangements quickly, addressing barriers to early resolution including a lack of understanding of the options available such as
With Family Mediation Week due to take place between 22-26 January 2024, we explain some key points about family mediation and how the process works. Family Mediation – What is it? Family mediation is designed to assist divorcing or separating couples reach an agreement in relation to financial and/or children matters that arise as a
Actress Sophie Turner and her ex-husband, singer Joe Jonas, have used mediation to reach a shared custody agreement for their two children. The couple had previously announced that they divorced amicably but then the Game of Thrones star sued Jonas, claiming he hadn’t let their daughters return to England from the US. However, they then
Separating couples will be obliged to try mediation before being allowed to go to court to settle disputes over financial and child custody arrangements. The government announcement is part of a major shake-up of the family justice system. The proposals will see mediation become mandatory in all suitable low-level family court cases excluding those that
The government is providing an extra £5.4 million to help families resolve disputes such as contact arrangements through mediation instead of going to court. Under the scheme, mediation vouchers worth £500 are provided to divorcing couples with the aim of helping them find mutually agreeable solutions and freeing up space in the family courts. It seeks