Richard Thompson

Call: 2017

Public access

Richard was called to the Bar at the age of 50 after a change of career, having formerly worked as a senior administrator for various local and national government departments. He has worked on public inquiries, conducted paralegal work and worked as an I.T. contractor.

He has a law degree and a master’s degree (LLM) from Birkbeck (University of London) both part time around professional responsibilities.

He offers a sound common sense approach to both the legal and practicable options available to clients to avoid the expense of court or of pursuing litigation if other options are advisable for the client.

Immigration

Richard has gained substantial experience of representing both Appellants and the Secretary of State for the Home Department at the First-tier Tribunal, giving him a unique insight into both sides of immigration and asylum cases. He has further appeared for clients in the Upper Tribunal.

Richard can be instructed to draft grounds of appeal and grounds seeking judicial review and of course he has rights of audience for the various courts and tribunal in England and Wales.

Civil

Richard accepts instructions in a broad range of civil matters for private clients, with particular experience in landlord and tenant disputes, road traffic cases, personal injury, and employment law.

He is regularly instructed by the Government Legal Department (off panel) to represent the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Home Office in appeals concerning civil claims for unlawful detention, civil penalty appeals, and matters relating to haulage.

When not drafting court documents or providing legal advice, Richard is frequently found advocating in courts and tribunals across London and the South East, although his practice has taken him to jurisdictions nationwide.

Membership

• LAGLA

• BLAGG

Notable Cases

Re C (A Child) (Recognition of Nigerian Adoption) [2025] EWHC 204 (Fam)

Interest

Opera, Jaguar and Daimler motor cars, decent claret and Mexico.