Expertise
Biography
In addition to advising on the sale and lease of mines, quarries and waste facilities, Richard has acted on the sale or purchase of over 20 mineral and waste businesses. He also has experience of different waste to energy and renewable energy projects.
Richard advises on the ownership of mines and minerals. He acted for the successful claimant in Mclean Estates Ltd v The Earl of Aylesford [2009] EWHC 697 (Ch) concerning whether Mercian mudstone was within the exception and reservation of minerals contained in a 1922 conveyance.
Richard has advised on a range of issues incidental to the mineral and waste sector including the conduct of arbitration proceedings on royalty review and compliance issues arising from the management of mineral and waste facilities. He has successfully acted on appeal against enforcement notices served by the mineral planning and permitting authorities.
Water law has always been one of Richard’s interests. He has advised and represented clients in connection with prosecutions for unlawful discharges to controlled waters and breaches of impoundment and abstraction licences. He has prosecuted breaches of trade effluent consents. He acted for the interested party in R (oao) Seiont, Gwyrfai and Llyfni Anglers v Natural Resources Wales [2018] EWCA Civ 797, a leading case on the Environmental Liability Directive and the regulations to give effect to it.
Richard graduated in law from the University of Birmingham. He is a member of the Institute of Quarrying and holds a certificate in Geology from the University of Birmingham. He is a liveryman of the Worshipful Society of Water Conservators and a member of the Agricultural Law Association.
Richard is a former partner in Aaron & Partners LLP and now a consultant to the firm.
Qualifications and Memberships
- Liveryman of the Worshipful Society of Water Conservators
- Freeman of the City of London
- Member of the Agricultural Law Association and Country Landowners Association
