Richard Devereux-Cooke

Richard practises in property-based law, including all aspects of landlord and tenant work (commercial and residential) as well as other aspects of land ownership and occupation. He has a particular interest in matters involving easements, housing, access to land (including rights of way and highways), licences, boundary disputes, and claims concerning issues of trespass and nuisance especially where these involve environmental issues. Richard also advises and acts in relation to planning matters.

A significant part of Richard’s practice consists of personal injury litigation, with a particular focus on high-value and complex claims involving motorcyclists.

In addition, Richard also undertakes work in relation to Trusts of Land, Inheritance Act claims and other matters linking property, insolvency, and family law, and commercial contract disputes.

Richard came to the Bar after a highly successful career in agriculture, covering both practical farm management and two decades running his own agricultural business providing services to farmers and industrial land users. Whilst in that industry, he became a nationally recognised expert in pesticides use and law. He was a member of a number of government and government agency committees dealing with pesticides, environmental, and health and safety issues, and developed his own business as a consultant providing risk assessments for the use of hazardous substances and also in relation to noise levels under the Noise at Work Regulations. He has also had major involvement in the drafting of environmental codes of practice and other industry guidance on the avoidance of pollution.

Seminars

Richard was a regular contributor to technical seminars and conferences, both as a speaker and as conference chairman. He continues to contribute to seminars on property law matters.