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 leads the Channel Islands employment team, and is one of the pre-eminent employment lawyers in the region, 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 leads the Channel Islands employment team, and is one of the pre-eminent employment lawyers in the region, 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.
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 Partner’ in The Legal 500 UK 2025. Clients told Legal 500 that Richard “approaches employment matters with compassion, professionalism, and tenacity, navigating through legal issues with ease.” Legal 500 go on to say that “Richard can be relied on for sound pragmatic advice, he has always been very responsive, particularly so when it is evident that a matter could become quite contentious.” In addition that “Richard was extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of law we required and able to allocate the best resources whilst retaining a macro role. He inspires confidence in clients and contributes to strategic decision-making.”
The top tier ranked team were praised as being “very straightforward to deal with. They understand the commercial realities for our firm and ensure that the advice they provide is succinct and pragmatic. They are always prompt with their response and advice, enabling us to better respond to our stakeholders.” In addition clients said that ” ‘they are my go-to team in the Channel Islands. They are responsive and collaborative, and work with us on any cross-border matters” and “I highly recommend Appleby for their exemplary services in legal matters. Their depth of knowledge in various areas of law is impressive, allowing them to provide thorough and informed guidance to clients.”
Richard was regarded as a Band 1 ‘Notable Practitioner’ by Chambers UK 2025. Clients say that he “exhibits unparalleled proficiency, compassion and diligence. He is straight-talking, pragmatic and great to have on the team.” and that “you can rely on Richard for sensible, practical and easy-to-understand advice that is solution-led.” He is commended for being “an excellent lawyer who provides pragmatic advice and guidance.”
The Employment team are praised for being “very responsive to enquiries and will pull out the stops when a matter is particularly pressing in relation to time turnaround. They provide solid and practical advice.” In addition they are “professional, high-quality and there when needed.”
Richard was named as a ‘Leading Partner’ in The Legal 500 UK 2025. Clients told Legal 500 that Richard “approaches employment matters with compassion, professionalism, and tenacity, navigating through legal issues with ease.” Legal 500 go on to say that “Richard can be relied on for sound pragmatic advice, he has always been very responsive, particularly so when it is evident that a matter could become quite contentious.” In addition that “Richard was extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of law we required and able to allocate the best resources whilst retaining a macro role. He inspires confidence in clients and contributes to strategic decision-making.”
The top tier ranked team were praised as being “very straightforward to deal with. They understand the commercial realities for our firm and ensure that the advice they provide is succinct and pragmatic. They are always prompt with their response and advice, enabling us to better respond to our stakeholders.” In addition clients said that ” ‘they are my go-to team in the Channel Islands. They are responsive and collaborative, and work with us on any cross-border matters” and “I highly recommend Appleby for their exemplary services in legal matters. Their depth of knowledge in various areas of law is impressive, allowing them to provide thorough and informed guidance to clients.”
Richard was regarded as a Band 1 ‘Notable Practitioner’ by Chambers UK 2025. Clients say that he “exhibits unparalleled proficiency, compassion and diligence. He is straight-talking, pragmatic and great to have on the team.” and that “you can rely on Richard for sensible, practical and easy-to-understand advice that is solution-led.” He is commended for being “an excellent lawyer who provides pragmatic advice and guidance.”
The Employment team are praised for being “very responsive to enquiries and will pull out the stops when a matter is particularly pressing in relation to time turnaround. They provide solid and practical advice.” In addition they are “professional, high-quality and there when needed.”
Qualifications & Education
Richard qualified as an English Solicitor in 2003.
- University of Manchester (England)
- Nottingham Law School (England)
Richard qualified as an English Solicitor in 2003.
- University of Manchester (England)
- Nottingham Law School (England)
Demonstrated a deep understanding of the legal complexities involved and navigated the proceedings with professionalism and poise