Bio
Richard is the Managing Group Partner* in Guernsey and member of the Dispute Resolution team, specialising in advising clients on employment law and regulatory issues.
Richard heads up Appleby’s employment practice across the Channel Islands, advising on all areas of employment law including, strategic advice, litigation, transactional support and director / shareholder disputes, as well as advising on matters such as executive severance, employee share schemes, pensions, restrictive covenants, bonus disputes and trade union issues.
In addition, Richard has advised on a number of major contentious regulatory matters including in particular enforcement action by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC) against both companies and their directors, and has a particular expertise in the field of complex investigations into regulatory issues. Richard has a growing reputation in the field and has been the lead adviser on a number of regulatory enforcement cases over the years such as Blenheim, Richmond and Artemis, representing those companies through the enforcement process. Richard also regularly represents directors at voluntary interviews with the GFSC.
Over recent years Richard has conducted a number of complex investigations for clients, relating to potential employee frauds, breaches of fiduciary duties, compliance around sanctions as well as sexual harassment in the workplace.
Prior to joining Appleby in August 2014, Richard worked for Eversheds Sutherlands in the UK.
* admitted in England and Wales
Bio
Richard is the Managing Group Partner* in Guernsey and member of the Dispute Resolution team, specialising in advising clients on employment law and regulatory issues.
Richard heads up Appleby’s employment practice across the Channel Islands, advising on all areas of employment law including, strategic advice, litigation, transactional support and director / shareholder disputes, as well as advising on matters such as executive severance, employee share schemes, pensions, restrictive covenants, bonus disputes and trade union issues.
In addition, Richard has advised on a number of major contentious regulatory matters including in particular enforcement action by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC) against both companies and their directors, and has a particular expertise in the field of complex investigations into regulatory issues. Richard has a growing reputation in the field and has been the lead adviser on a number of regulatory enforcement cases over the years such as Blenheim, Richmond and Artemis, representing those companies through the enforcement process. Richard also regularly represents directors at voluntary interviews with the GFSC.
Over recent years Richard has conducted a number of complex investigations for clients, relating to potential employee frauds, breaches of fiduciary duties, compliance around sanctions as well as sexual harassment in the workplace.
Prior to joining Appleby in August 2014, Richard worked for Eversheds Sutherlands in the UK.
* admitted in England and Wales
Work Highlights
Richard’s experience includes advising;
- A global financial services business on the investigation and dismissal of a senior director in respect of allegations of sexual harassment
- A tech business in relation the exit of a senior employee, and successfully defending claims before the Tribunal of discrimination on the grounds of sex and maternity
- The successful appellants in the case of Domaille & others v Guernsey Financial Services Commission in overturning on appeal before the Royal Court, regulatory enforcement sanctions imposed by the GFSC.
- A 50% owner of a professional services firm in relation to a dispute with his fellow owner, including successfully exiting the other party from the firm, as shareholder, director and employee.
- A former director of a fund administrator in relation to regulatory enforcement action taken by the GFSC, including successfully negotiating a private reprimand rather any form of public censure.
- A international financial services business on a post-acquisition integration restructure, including harmonisation of terms and conditions.
Work Highlights
Richard’s experience includes advising;
- A global financial services business on the investigation and dismissal of a senior director in respect of allegations of sexual harassment
- A tech business in relation the exit of a senior employee, and successfully defending claims before the Tribunal of discrimination on the grounds of sex and maternity
- The successful appellants in the case of Domaille & others v Guernsey Financial Services Commission in overturning on appeal before the Royal Court, regulatory enforcement sanctions imposed by the GFSC.
- A 50% owner of a professional services firm in relation to a dispute with his fellow owner, including successfully exiting the other party from the firm, as shareholder, director and employee.
- A former director of a fund administrator in relation to regulatory enforcement action taken by the GFSC, including successfully negotiating a private reprimand rather any form of public censure.
- A international financial services business on a post-acquisition integration restructure, including harmonisation of terms and conditions.
Recognition
Richard was named as a ‘Leading Individual’ in The Legal 500 UK 2024. Clients told Legal 500 that Richard “is a trusted business partner and feels like a part of the team when providing advice. He consults thoroughly with the business to ensure he is clear on the brief and requirements, provides nuanced recommendations and partners the company throughout any process, adapting any advice in real time to respond to given circumstances”. Legal 500 go on to say that “Richard and his team put the client relationship and understanding of their needs at the forefront of their advisory practice. The advice therefore reflects the culture and commercial needs of the business, rather than just interpreting legislation and the facts of any matter”. The team were praised for “understanding the importance of our work in delivering high quality, safe and effective services. They are responsive and supportive and always work in our best interests, often finding ways to reduce resources and costs without compromising on quality”.
Richard was regarded as a Band 1 ‘Notable Practitioner’ by Chambers UK 2024. Clients say that he “is an excellent lawyer to work with. He’s very engaging and responsive, solution-focused and delivers advice in a digestible manner” and that he is their “first point of contact and provides a great consistent level of service. He answers all your queries in a very timely manner and ensures the advice is of the highest standard.” He is commended for “in-depth knowledge of his field” and “client service and responsiveness which are always excellent.”
Recognition
Richard was named as a ‘Leading Individual’ in The Legal 500 UK 2024. Clients told Legal 500 that Richard “is a trusted business partner and feels like a part of the team when providing advice. He consults thoroughly with the business to ensure he is clear on the brief and requirements, provides nuanced recommendations and partners the company throughout any process, adapting any advice in real time to respond to given circumstances”. Legal 500 go on to say that “Richard and his team put the client relationship and understanding of their needs at the forefront of their advisory practice. The advice therefore reflects the culture and commercial needs of the business, rather than just interpreting legislation and the facts of any matter”. The team were praised for “understanding the importance of our work in delivering high quality, safe and effective services. They are responsive and supportive and always work in our best interests, often finding ways to reduce resources and costs without compromising on quality”.
Richard was regarded as a Band 1 ‘Notable Practitioner’ by Chambers UK 2024. Clients say that he “is an excellent lawyer to work with. He’s very engaging and responsive, solution-focused and delivers advice in a digestible manner” and that he is their “first point of contact and provides a great consistent level of service. He answers all your queries in a very timely manner and ensures the advice is of the highest standard.” He is commended for “in-depth knowledge of his field” and “client service and responsiveness which are always excellent.”
Qualifications & Education
Richard qualified as an English Solicitor in 2003.
- University of Manchester (England)
- Nottingham Law School (England)
Qualifications & Education
Richard qualified as an English Solicitor in 2003.
- University of Manchester (England)
- Nottingham Law School (England)
Engaging, practical, solution focussed, responsive.