SILK PROFILE

Richard Boulton KC

UK Bar 2026

One Essex Court

Ranked in 3 practice areas

Offshore

All Circuits

2 years ranked

Commercial Dispute Resolution

London (Bar)

12 years ranked

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

London (Bar)

6 years ranked

About

Provided by One Essex Court

Practice Areas

Recognised as a leading silk at the Commercial Bar for high value claims, with particular expertise in offshore “fair value” disputes, IP damages enquiries, and the quantum aspects of investor/state and energy arbitrations. Richard has been instructed in ten s.238 “fair value” cases in the Cayman Islands Grand Court (including four full trials: Nord Anglia, FGL Holdings, 58.com and most recently 51job) and four s.106 “fair value” disputes in Bermuda, including Jardine. He acted for Warner-Lambert and Pfizer in the combined action by numerous parties for compensation following from the pregabalin/Lyrica litigation, with hearings including the counterfactual assumptions trial ([2021] EWHC 2182 (Ch)). He has led the quantum aspects of several bilateral investment treaty disputes, and acted as counsel in other international arbitration disputes in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo. Significant advocacy experience, including leading (as a junior) a five week civil fraud trial in the Commercial Court. He has particular expertise in matters involving expert witnesses, and has cross examined experts across a range of disciplines (engineering, banking, accountancy, environmental waste, shipping, share valuation etc).

Career

Called 2003, Inner Temple; Silk 2011; partner Arthur Andersen 1990-2001; global managing partner, strategy 1997-2000; global managing partner, business consulting 2000-01.

Professional Memberships

Fellow Institute of Chartered Accountants; fellow Academy of Experts.

Publications

‘Cracking the Value Code: How Successful Businesses are Creating Wealth in the New Economy’ (Harper Business 2000).

Personal

MCC and Liverpool FC.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Offshore - All Circuits

Band 3

Individual Editorial

Richard Boulton KC is a highly sought-after silk for his expertise in commercial litigation in the Cayman Islands. He is also well versed in undertaking work in Bermuda. Boulton commands a strong practice handling shareholder dispute case, particularly in regard to Section 238 merger matters.

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International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance - London (Bar)

Band 4

Individual Editorial

Richard Boulton KC is a distinguished practitioner who brings significant international expertise to bear when handling arbitrations, particularly those with a financial element. He has extensive experience appearing before major arbitral institutions, including the ICC, UNCITRAL, the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. He is also noted for his considerable expertise in quantum matters.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

He is absolutely excellent and a pleasure to work with. He remains calm and measured even in the most stressful situations.
OffshoreUK Bar
Richard Boulton has this fantastic combination of being an excellent barrister and a previous career as an accountant.
OffshoreUK Bar
Incredibly client-friendly and collegiate with unparalleled expertise in his field.
International Arbitration: General Commercial & InsuranceUK Bar
He is a fantastically knowledgeable and technical silk. His background in accounting really helps in those complex valuation cases.
Commercial Dispute ResolutionUK Bar
He is good at finding the central issues concerned. He's great at bringing a centre of gravity to the case.
Commercial Dispute ResolutionUK Bar
Richard is very calm in court and brings to the table a more forensic approach in cross-examination. He has a very polite, measured way about him, which is incredibly effective.
Commercial Dispute ResolutionUK Bar