Richard Colbey

Richard accepts instructions in professional negligence cases where he acts for both claimants and defendants. He is particularly well suited to dealing with claims against legal professionals, but also acts in cases against all other professionals. He has experience of acting in claims against vets, doctors, surveyors and accountants. 

Richard also represents professionals before disciplinary tribunals and on appeals to the courts from their own professional bodies. 

Richard regularly acts in IP disputes and has a specialism in cases relating to the music industry. He has acted in cases relating to the name and brand image of various artists and businesses and the rights to creative output. 

Cases in which Richard has acted include

• A claim over the rights to use the name of a well-known 1970s ‘teeny bopper’ band;
• A dispute over a world famous rapper's back catalogue;
• A dispute between two high class restaurants over the right to use a geographical name in association with their products.

Richard acts for businesses of all sizes in all types of litigation largely arising from breach of contract and misrepresentation. He has experience ranging from advising and representing SMEs to being instructed by a nationalised Yemeni oil company to pursue a multi million pound claim arising out of demurrage. (Aden Refinery Company v Aden SA)

He is also able to advise on the terms of contracts at the point of entering into the contract. He has drafted standard terms for a major pharmaceutical supplier as well as advising on contracts and terms of business for a range of businesses.

Richard has a lot of experience in acting for clients in all types of property disputes, from landlord and tenant disputes to cases regarding the ownership of land. He is also able to deal with property disputes arising out of relationship breakdown and contentious probate cases. He acts in cases regarding the beneficial ownership of land under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. 

He acted in the case of Amanda Williams v Kishan Parmar [2021] UKUT 244 (LC) and others in relation to rent repayment orders and is familiar with the law in this area. 

Richard is often instructed in relation to construction disputes on large and small developments. Recent cases include a million pound claim arising out of the building of a luxury hotel in rural England and a claim relating to a restaurant development in Bethnal Green. He also represents clients in relation to domestic building projects.

Richard has a lot of experience in family finance disputes, primarily focusing on resolving financial disputes between separating spouses and civil partners. He is also able to deal with cases regarding maintenance for children.

Richard also has experience of cases relating to the ownership of property under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act, which fits well with his civil property practice. 

Richard is able to deal with claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 where he has experience of acting for both claimants and defendants, and of dealing with multi party cases as well as those where there are overlapping TOLATA claims or contentious probate proceedings.  

Richard has a personal injury practice specialising in M.E./CFS cases and in claims by disabled people against their own permanent health insurers. He has also advised on cases where death in service benefits were an issue. 

To instruct Richard, please contact Rob Johnstone or Ollie Waite.