Year of Call: 2009
Solicitor: 2011
Email Address: [email protected]
Telephone: 0117 928 1520
Richard is a Chancery, Commercial and Professional Risk barrister.
Prior to transferring to the Bar, Richard was a Solicitor-Advocate and Head of the Commercial Dispute Resolution team at a large Bristol-based law firm. Richard specialised in commercial disputes and professional negligence claims. He is an experienced litigator, mediator and advocate.
Richard has particular expertise in:
Notable cases include:
Richard always provides thorough, user-friendly and commercial advice.
Richard has an extensive commercial practice that covers all types of business and commercial disputes, with a particular emphasis on contract, misrepresentation, partnership and director disputes. He regularly advises and represents businesses in both the County Court and High Court.
From his time working as a Solicitor-Advocate, Richard has significant experience of alternative dispute resolution and, in particular, representing clients at mediations.
Commercial Disputes
Richard has experience of a wide range of commercial disputes, including claims relating to:
Notable and Recent Cases
Professional Risk
Richard has particular expertise in relation to professional negligence cases. He has extensive experience of dealing with claims against all professionals including; barristers, solicitors, accountants, brokers, insurers, architects, surveyors and other construction specialists.
Lawyers
Richard’s experience as a Solicitor-Advocate is invaluable to professional negligence claims against lawyers, having been instructed on claims relating to employment, commercial litigation, property disputes, and personal injury claims.
He has dealt with:
Accountants
Richard has handled a variety of claims, including:
Surveyors, Valuers and Architects
Richard has acted in:
Insurance Brokers and Insurers
Richard has advised, and acted for and against, brokers and insurers in claims for failure to implement the correct insurance cover, and for a broker in a claim regarding the failure to advise on the financial status of an insurer.
Richard has advised and represented clients on a wide range of property disputes, including boundary disputes and nuisance claims.
Richard is regularly instructed to make and oppose applications for injunctions relating to property.
Property
Notable and recent cases
Richard is an experienced and well-respected mediator. He is determined, flexible and patient when seeking to resolve disputes, but is also able to robustly test the parties and guide them to a compromise.
Richard qualified as an ADR Group accredited Civil and Commercial mediator in 2018. Whilst most mediations that Richard conducts relate to his primary areas of practice of commercial, property and professional negligence litigation, he also mediates in relation to a wide range of other matters including construction and probate disputes.
His recent experience includes mediations in relation to business sales, restrictive covenants, misrepresentation claims, domestic building claims, boundary disputes, landlord and tenant disputes, banking disputes and professional negligence claims against solicitors.
Richard has conducted over 20 mediations in the last few years, many of which have been held remotely.
Richard is an active member of the Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates and regularly provides mediation training.
Testimonials
“I had the pleasure of engaging Richard Whitehouse as a Mediator for a commercial dispute, and I couldn't have been more impressed with his professionalism and approach. Richard's calm and composed demeanour was instrumental in diffusing tensions and fostering a constructive dialogue, which undoubtedly assisted the parties in reaching resolution. I would thoroughly recommend Richard to anyone looking for an effective and user-friendly Mediator.”
“Richard’s input when dealing with very difficult issues during a commercial mediation was invaluable in bringing about a successful resolution to the matter. He has a calm and pleasant, but focused demeanour, which allowed the parties to find common ground”.
Specialist commercial law barrister Richard Whitehouse presented a webinar alongside Jack Webb on 22nd April 2021. The webinar examines the impact of Brexit and the pandemic on litigation. Richard's notes are available to read here.
Watch the webinar on impact of Brexit and the pandemic on litigation here.
Commercial update - Richard Whitehouse: Scope of duty in professional negligence: the return of “advice” versus “information”
In the first case on scope of duty in professional negligence since BPE Solicitors v. Hughes-Holland, has the Court of Appeal returned to the classic distinction between ‘advice’ and ‘information’ cases? Richard Whitehouse analyses the recent decision in Manchester Building Society v Grant Thornton UK LLP [2019] EWCA Civ 40.
Commercial update: Professional negligence – Solicitors’ duty to warn of risks incidental to their retainer
When will a solicitor need to give a warning to his client about obvious risks that come to his attention when performing his retainer, but which he has not been formally retained to advise on? Richard Whitehouse analyses the Court of Appeals recent decision in Lyons v. Fox Williams LLP [2018] EWCA Civ 2347.
Richard is a Commercial Law barrister specialising in professional negligence and business disputes.
Commercial update - Richard Whitehouse: Valuers’ negligence in the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has again reconsidered causation and loss, in the context of a professional negligence claim against a valuer. Richard Whitehouse analyses the recent decision in Tiuta International Limited (in liquidation) v De Villiers Surveyors Limited [2017] UKSC 77.
Richard Whitehouse of 3PB Barristers is adept in professional negligence claims brought against solicitors, involving property and the drafting of agreements, typically acting on behalf of claimants.
Strengths: "One secures excellent service, speed in turnaround and level of expertise from Richard Whitehouse. "Richard is always very helpful in answering any queries throughout the claim and provides very thorough, reasoned responses." "Richard Whitehouse is a leading barrister for professional negligence disputes on the Western Circuit."
Chambers 2025/Professional Negligence/Western Bar
Richard Whitehouse of 3PB Barristers is commended by solicitors for his expertise in commercial litigation. He is particularly noted for work on breach of contract and insurance disputes.
Strengths: "Richard is a commercially aware barrister who has a knack of boiling down complex scenarios to simple solution's. "Richard's advice is well prepared, commercial and presented in an understandable manner to communicate to my clients. "Richard often completes instructions promptly and is willing to discuss in conference or over email when matters arise in cases.""Richard is very effective at dealing with complex claims and in narrowing and simplifying the issues in order for the client to fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of their claim."
Chambers 2025/Commercial Dispute Resolution/Western Bar
Strengths: “Richard assisted me with a difficult claim. His written advice is very good and he prepared it within the timeframe set. It was easy for the clients to understand and follow his advice.”
“Richard is an excellent barrister who puts commercial considerations for clients at the forefront of strategy and advice.”
“Richard provides clear advice.”
Chambers 2024/Professional Negligence/Western Bar
Richard Whitehouse is commended by solicitors for his expertise in commercial litigation. He is particularly noted for work on breach of contract and insurance disputes.
Strengths: “Richard has a friendly and informative approach with clients and provides commercial and practical advice.”
Chambers 2024/Commercial Dispute Resolution/Western Bar
Richard Whitehouse has longstanding experience in professional negligence claims against solicitors, surveyors, architects, accountants and brokers.
‘Richard has a cool head and gives comprehensive and robust advice to commercial clients succinctly and persuasively.’
Legal 500 2025/Professional Negligence/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit - Ranked in Tier 1
‘Richard can find the simple solution in complex claims. His advice is always pragmatic and commercially undertone.’
Legal 500 2025/Commercial Litigation/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit
‘He is able to put legal advice in a commercial context for clients and is good at making complex legal academic points clear and easy to understand.'
Legal 500 2024/Professional Negligence/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit - Ranked in Tier 1
‘Richard boasts a wealth of knowledge both procedurally and in managing and understanding the factual aspects of matters. His standard of service is of the highest possible and his style of advocacy is clear and concise.'
Legal 500 2024/Commercial Litigation/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit
‘Richard has excellent attention to detail, coupled with the ability to get straight to the main issues in a case.'
Legal 500 2023/Professional Negligence/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit - Ranked in Tier 1
'He is concise and clear, and has an excellent ability to distil complex scenarios. Richard's good demeanour with clients inspires confidence.'
Legal 500 2023/Commercial Litigation/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit
‘He is very user-friendly from an instructing solicitor's perspective, and his advice is clear and pragmatic.’
Legal 500 2022/Professional Negligence/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit
‘Richard is particularly strong at giving complicated advice in clear, succinct language that makes him popular with clients. Advice is always given with one eye on the practical and commercial implications for a client.’
Legal 500 2022/Commercial Litigation/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit
"3PB's 'commercial, pragmatic, and user-friendly' Richard Whitehouse is recommended for breach of contract claims, representing clients across a range of industry sectors. Recent work has included claims relating to negligent installation of amenities, cross-jurisdictional claims, and asset purchase agreements."
‘Combines solid, pragmatic commercial strategy with detailed legal knowledge.’
Legal 500 2021/Commercial Litigation/Western Circuit
"At 3PB, Richard Whitehouse 'deals with factually and legally messy disputes with ease and tenacity' and provides 'excellent quality of advice tempered with a pragmatic application to real world scenarios'. A former solicitor, Whitehouse represents clients in litigious and non-contentious disputes including actions against professionals for breach of contract, trust, and fiduciary duty. He is regularly instructed in complex, high-value commercial disputes by insurers, companies, law firms, and other professionals, including barristers, surveyors, architects, accountants, and brokers."
‘He takes a proactive and practical approach throughout the claims process and regularly receives praise from lay clients and instructing solicitors. His attention to detail and turnaround timescales are second to none.’
Legal 500 2021/Professional Discipline/Western Circuit
Client Testimonials
“Impressive”
“Calm, professional and well prepared”
“Great with clients and is always able to put them at ease”
3PB’s Commercial and Intellectual Property barristers have been rewarded with 9 rankings in this year's Chambers UK edition. While the commercial group gained one more individual ranking in Commercial litigation, our Intellectual Property specialists obtained one more accolade in the regions. Our professional negligence experts have retained their rankings in Western and London. Head of group Patrick Heneghan commented 'I am delighted to read that our barristers’ continued accomplishments and excellence is attracting such praise...
Continue reading3PB is delighted to share that its Commercial group has earned 4 new rankings in this year's Legal 500 edition, achieving a total of 16 rankings for 11 of our barristers across the areas of Commercial Litigation, Company and Insolvency, Intellectual Property and Professional Negligence in London, South Eastern and Western. With 3 of its barristers ranked for Professional Negligence in Western (+2 compared with 2024), the team now has a Tier 2 ranking and...
Continue readingIn this year's Chambers UK and Legal 500 rankings, 3PB's Commercial Group has once again demonstrated their commitment to excellence and proficiency in the legal world. Notably, several outstanding barristers within the group have received well-deserved recognition for their dedication to providing high-quality legal services in four key practice areas: commercial litigation, intellectual property, insolvency, and professional negligence. Alexander Whatley, Charles Irvine, Gavin Hamilton, Joseph Giret KC, Nicole Bollard, Rebecca Farrell, Richard Whitehouse, Seb Oram,...
Continue reading3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings), the UK's third largest chambers, is delighted to report its best rankings yet - totalling 130 - in the Legal 500 2023’s edition published last night, up 12% on last year’s 116. The set has achieved its rankings across 5 large UK regions - or Circuits (London, South Eastern, Western, Midlands and Chester and Wales) - in 21 categories of law. Earlier this year, 3PB also celebrated its first rankings...
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