Richard Dawson

“Richard Dawson is a well-regarded junior with a notable criminal practice.  He is particularly sought after for his expertise in dangerous driving cases, and he also handles matters relating to organised crime and drugs offences.”  Chambers & Partners 2024 – Crime

“Richard’s regulatory specialism focuses on transport law and it is an area where he is developing a national reputation as being a leading expert.  He regularly appears before the Traffic Commissioner where he represents haulage companies, transport managers, and drivers, and his success rate is outstanding.”  The Legal 500 2024 – Business & Regulatory Crime (Inc H&S)

Richard Dawson is a renowned lawyer and an accomplished advocate, who is regularly involved in cases of the utmost gravity, sensitivity and complexity.

Richard is an expert trial lawyer, specialising in road traffic law, regulatory and professional discipline matters, and serious crime

Richard is consistently and highly recommended by the legal directories for his expertise.

The 2024 Edition of The Legal 500 describes Richard as:

“an incredibly hard working barrister.  His drafting of legal arguments and written submissions is particularly impressive, and in relation to advocacy, he is a confident, persuasive, and seriously impressive court room presence” and “notable for his transport expertise.”

In the 2024 Edition of Chambers & Partners Richard is described as:

“a well-regarded junior with a notable criminal practice.  He is particularly sought after for his expertise in dangerous driving cases, and he also handles matters relating to organised crime and drugs offences” and “[His] technical ability and advocacy are excellent.  He is just very easy to work with and very good with experts” and “[His] in-depth knowledge is brilliant.  He just knows what to do and instils confidence in me.”

In the 2023 Edition of The Legal 500 he is described as:

“Richard is a fantastic advocate.  On his feet in a trial is as strong as many counsel a great deal more senior.  What really makes him stand out is the ability to get to grips with and apply technical and complex expert evidence, such as collision reconstruction, medical, tachographs data etc.  This enables him to challenge prosecution experts and present defence evidence in a fluent and concise way, which translates to the jury and bench” and “has an impressive practice and has been active in multiple injury and death by dangerous driving cases.”

In the 2023 Edition of Chambers & Partners he is described as:

“Richard’s written and oral advocacy skills are excellent” and “He is a brilliant barrister to work with” and “He is superb on serious motoring matters.”

In describing Richard in the 2022 Edition, contributors noted:

“He has good attention to detail and he establishes a rapport with clients” and “He gets his strategy and approach spot on.  He is an excellent all-rounder” and “He is brilliant with clients – he is personable and down to earth.  He is extremely thorough, a very engaging trial lawyer and the juries really buy into him.”

In the 2022 Edition of The Legal 500 he is described as:

“an extremely experienced barrister who has a keen eye for the detail.  He works very well under pressure and engages with the jury in a way I’ve not seen with any other barrister” and “The jury sit up and listen when he is on his feet and his likeable, understandable approach means all can follow the issues he raises.”

In the 2021 Edition it was said of Richard:

“His diligence, preparation and communication help put clients at ease.”

In the 2020 Edition it was noted:

“the set houses practitioners with more niche specialisms, such as Richard Dawson who handles some of the most serious and legally complex motoring cases.”

In the 2019 Edition, in describing Richard, a contributor noted:

“Clients trust his advice.”

In the 2018 Edition Richard was described as:

“An intelligent and subtle cross-examiner.”

OVERVIEW

Richard Dawson is an expert trial lawyer, specialising in road traffic law, regulatory and professional discipline matters, and serious crime.

Richard has a nation-wide client base and undertakes work throughout the UK.

The emphasis of Richard’s practice is predominantly private client work, representing both individual and corporate clients.  He has successfully represented professionals in a variety of committee, tribunal and Court forums, including solicitors, accountants, medical professionals, professional sports personalities and high-net-worth individuals, and is licensed to provide legal advice and representation directly to members of the public.

Richard’s background in regulatory work has made him particularly commercially aware and tactically astute, to minimize and, where possible, avoid reputational damage.

Having developed a strong reputation for hard work, immaculate preparation and clear fact management in complex cases, Richard is highly regarded by all those who instruct him.

A road traffic specialist, with more than two decades of experience representing those accused of driving offences, the focus of Richard’s practice is dealing with offences arising from serious road accidents.  His wealth of knowledge and skill in this highly specialised area is best demonstrated by his track record of successfully defending drivers charged with causing death and/or catastrophic injury.

Richard is regularly instructed in professional discipline matters and frequently appears before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service.

With a background in regulatory matters, Richard receives consistent instruction in cases commenced by the General Medical Council; Trading Standards; the Health & Safety Executive; the Environment Agency; HM Revenue & Customs; UK Border Force; and the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (formerly VOSA).

His work includes being routinely instructed in cases arising out of and/or in connection to an inquest before a Coroner, touching on the death.  Such instructions are typically in the context of regulatory and road traffic work.

Richard continues to be instructed in licensing cases, advising on matters for which a licence is required and representing applicants, local authorities and interested parties, at all levels, though committee to Court.

Additionally, Richard represents those charged with the most serious crimes, including murder; serious assaults; serious road accidents, resulting in death or serious injury; rape; sexual offences; drugs matters; fraud and financial offences.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn.

For further details about:

Richard’s expertise and experience in Road Traffic law, please click the on the link to his Road Traffic CV

Richard’s experience in Transport law, please click on the link to his Transport Law CV

Richard’s expertise in Regulatory work, please click on the link to his Regulatory CV

Richard’s professional discipline practice, please click on the link to his Professional Disciplinary CV

Richard’s criminal litigation experience, please click on the link to his Serious Crime CV