SILK PROFILE

Richard Liddell KC

UK Bar 2026

4 New Square Chambers

Ranked in 4 practice areas

Sport

London (Bar)

16 years ranked

Professional Negligence

London (Bar)

14 years ranked

Construction

London (Bar)

11 years ranked

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

London (Bar)

2 years ranked

About

Provided by 4 New Square Chambers

Practice Areas

Rick took silk in 2020. He has a wide-ranging practice with particular experience and expertise in: (i) commercial litigation & international arbitration (ii) construction & engineering (iii) professional liability and (iv) sports law.

Many of Rick’s cases have an international dimension and he is frequently instructed in disputes in the Middle East before the DIFC Courts (where he has rights of audience) and in arbitrations.

In addition to acting as an advocate and adviser, Rick is also regularly appointed as Arbitrator.

Rick has been involved in numerous high-profile court cases, including Aspect v Higgins (first ever case on construction adjudication to reach the Supreme Court), Mengiste v Endowment Fund (CA) and The Innovator Litigation (substantial multi-party Commercial Court litigation).

Rick has been instructed in a number of high-value ICC and LCIA Arbitrations with seats in Dubai, Paris, London, Singapore and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) with the subject matters ranging from contractual disputes to construction to insurance coverage to sports law.

He has also a busy sports practice with his cases spanning the following sports: athletics, basketball, boxing, cricket, football, hockey, horseracing, lacrosse, rowing and rugby. He has appeared in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and has particular expertise in case involving doping issues.

Career

MA (Cantab); LLM. Called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1999 (Major Scholarship). Tenant at 4 New Square 2000 to date.

Professional Memberships

ARDL; BASL; COMBAR; IBA; PNBA; TECBAR; Chancery Bar Association; LCIA

Personal

Educated at Eastbourne College; Pembroke College, Cambridge University.

Avid wakeboarder.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Professional Negligence - London (Bar)

Band 3

Individual Editorial

Richard Liddell KC manages a healthy caseload of professional negligence work that includes claims against civil and structural engineers, accountants, barristers and solicitors. He takes on claimant and defendant work, and has advocacy experience that extends all the way up to the Supreme Court. His clients benefit from his wider practice in handling sport-related claims.

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Sport - London (Bar)

Band 3

Individual Editorial

Richard Liddell KC receives noteworthy plaudits for his expertise in sport-related professional negligence disputes and a range of regulatory matters, frequently acting in anti-doping disciplinary proceedings. His practice sees him handle high-profile football, rugby, tennis and horse racing cases.

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Construction - London (Bar)

Band 3

Individual Editorial

Richard Liddell KC is a talented silk with a notably broad practice, who demonstrates particular strength in cases concerning contractors and engineers. He is especially experienced in defending defect claims. He regularly acts in adjudications and arbitration and has appeared in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

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

Band 4

Individual Editorial

Richard Liddell KC is commended for his sophisticated construction and commercial arbitration practice. He is highly sought after by clients in the Middle East region and by sporting bodies. He has appeared in arbitrations held under the rules of the LCIA, DIFC-LCIA and AIAC. In addition to his busy counsel practice, he also sits as an arbitrator.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Richard Liddell KC is fantastic. Rick was able to get to the nub of the most complicated claim incredibly quickly.
Professional NegligenceUK Bar
Richard Liddell KC is a very strong natural advocate who gets the court and judge on our side.
Professional NegligenceUK Bar
Rick's client service is exceptional; he is a great ambassador for 4 New Square and he possesses impressive advocacy skills.
Professional NegligenceUK Bar
Richard is exactly the kind of silk you like to work with - hugely intelligent, fastidious attention to detail and supreme advocacy.
SportUK Bar
Richard is sharp and got to the issues immediately, identified where the pressure points were and was able to distil what was critical.
SportUK Bar
His attention to detail and ability to get to grips with very obscure and complex topics very quickly sets him apart and makes him a go-to for us.
SportUK Bar