Richard Wheeler

Richard Wheeler

Year of Call: 2004
Email Address: [email protected]
CJSM: [email protected]
Telephone: 01962 868884

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Clerks Details

  • Clerk Name: Edward Holdstock
  • Clerk Telephone: 01962 868 884
  • Clerk Email: [email protected]

Personal Injury

Legal 500 Leading Junior 2026:

“Richard is an extremely knowledgeable specialist personal injury barrister.”

“He is able to cut through a highly complex case to reach the crux of the issue.”

Richard is frequently instructed in catastrophic injury litigation, including spinal injury, fatal accidents, military claims and high-value loss of earnings disputes, often involving complex expert evidence and contested quantum. His practice encompasses:

  • Complex MOD and MOJ litigation, including training injuries, non‑freezing cold injury, functional neurological disorders and loss‑of‑career claims
  • Catastrophic spinal injury and polytrauma cases involving complex causation and long‑term care
  • Industrial and workplace accidents, including allegations of fraud, surveillance and fundamental dishonesty

Recent work includes:

  • H v Ministry of Defence (ongoing): defending £25m claim. Royal Marine suffered catastrophic spinal injury while training. Drafting Defence and Ministerial advice on liability. Advising in conference with multiple experts. Led by Niazi Fetto KC.
  • N & Ors v H (ongoing): acting for claimant in £1.4m claim for serious spinal injury when pallet load of goods fell from back of a lorry. Primary and secondary victim claims. Loss of lucrative niche business.
  • D v R: defended £1.5m claim for damages following motorcycle accident causing multiple injuries. Successfully resisted exclusion of late surveillance evidence supporting defence of fundamental dishonesty. Claim settled for 20% of pleaded value.
  • Wilson v Ministry of Justice [2024] EWHC 2389 (KB): defended £8m claim arising from prisoner stabbed by another inmate, causing serious spinal injury. Five-day High Court trial on quantum. Junior alone against KC.
  • H v S (ongoing): Acting for claimant who suffered serious traumatic brain injury in workplace accident at motor-racing circuit.  Proceedings recently issued in High Court and Defence received denying liability. Quantum likely £500,000+. Junior alone against KC.
  • M v Ministry of Defence: Defended a £4 million claim for catastrophic spinal injury sustained during armoured vehicle training overseas. Successfully challenged the claimant’s ‘but for’ career, proposed therapies and residual earning capacity, contributing to settlement at JSM at approximately 50% of the pleaded value.
  • E v Ministry of Justice (Canterbury County Court, HHJ Brown): Defended £185,000 + provisional damages claim arising from inter-prisoner violence resulting in the Claimant losing an eye. Claim dismissed after four day trial, the judge having been persuaded that, although a limited procedural failing was established, it was not causative.

Lectures/Seminars

  • April 2026 – Chair – Optimising Recovery in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
  • November 2025 – Panel Speaker – Brain Injury Group Conference, Oxford
  • October 2025 – Speaker – Deaths Abroad & At Sea, 3PB Maritime Inquests Conference
  • July 2025 – Speaker – Surveillance Tactics, 3PB Personal Injury Conference
  • March 2025 – Speaker – RTA Update & Illegality
  • February 2025 – Speaker – Vulnerable Witnesses
  • Recommendations

    Richard is known for

    • Strategic judgment in high‑risk and high‑value litigation
    • Ability to cut through complex quantum and expert evidence
    • Calm and authoritative courtroom advocacy
    • Clear, practical and commercially realistic advice

    Legal 500 2026 – Leading Junior
    “Richard is an extremely knowledgeable personal injury barrister who cuts through complex cases to identify the crux of the issue. A tactically astute and shrewd advocate who fights hard for his clients.”

    “Capable of dealing with the highest value and most complex personal injury claims in relation to both liability and quantum.”

    “Always impressive in advocacy, presenting complex issues in a clear and relatable manner. Excellent in conference and very well-liked by clients.”

    Legal 500 2025 – Leading Junior
    “An excellent barrister: fearsome in advocacy, tactically astute, and always alert to all potential issues in a claim.”

    “Very analytical and knows the inquest process inside out; well prepared and puts families at ease throughout.”

    “Detail-orientated and able to distil vast quantities of information into clear, concise advice; highly persuasive on complex legal arguments.”

    Legal 500 2024 – Leading Junior
    “Excellent at inquest work: tenacious, intuitive, and adept at reading the coroner and adapting his approach.”

    “One of the best all-round barristers, with exceptional advocacy and paperwork, and excellent client care.”

    “Able to approach difficult issues flexibly and pragmatically to achieve the best outcomes, while building strong rapport with clients.”

    Legal 500 2023 – Leading Junior
    “Excellent and extremely detailed when assessing quantum, with a particular speciality in complex fatal cases.”

    “A brilliant barrister: fearsome, well prepared, and relentless in pursuit of his client’s case.”

    “Quick to grasp the essential elements of a case, with advice that is always careful and rigorous.”

    Legal 500 2022 – Leading Junior
    “A determined advocate who leaves no stone unturned, particularly on complex quantum issues.”

    “Tenacious and hardworking, with clear, tactical and analytically strong advice.”

    “Persuasive, client-focused advocacy delivered with sensitivity and understanding.”

    • Expand recommendations
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