Expertise: Criminal Defence

Member of: Criminal Bar Association, Western Circuit, Southampton Magistrates' Court and Police Station Duty Solicitor Scheme.

Work and Clients: Richard Martin joined the Criminal department in 2008. He was called to the Bar in 1998 and whilst practising in Chambers defended clients charged with almost every imaginable offence ranging from minor shoplifting to rape, armed robbery and importation of drugs. Richard appears predominantly in the Crown Court but also undertakes cases in the Magistrates' Court and the Court of Appeal. This enables him to look after a client from the earliest stage of his or her involvement with the Criminal Justice System right up to the conclusion of their case.

Richard became a Partner of Knight Polson in April 2010. He was the first Barrister to enter into partnership with a firm of Solicitors in Hampshire and one of only a handful in the whole country. Previously Barristers were not allowed to go into partnership with other lawyers but the Legal Services Act 2007 paved the way for a change in the way Barristers are permitted to practise.

Reported Cases:

R v Wheeler [2008] All ER (D) 222 (Jan)
Appeal against sentence for domestic stabbing

R v Murphy [2007] EWCA Crim 2810
Appeal against conviction re appropriate directions in self-defence

R v Fletcher [2006] 2 Cr.App.R.(S.)
Appeal against sentence for perverting the course of justice

R v Knight [2003] All ER (D) 81 (Mar)
Appeal against sentence for armed robbery

Outside of Work: Richard enjoys the countryside, cooking and classic cars. He also speaks Spanish.

What do clients say?
'Carry on with your excellent service'
 

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