Richard Flook joined Deans Court in April 2024 after completing a criminal pupillage under the supervision of Jacob Dyer.

Crime

Since joining Deans Court, Richard has developed a busy criminal practice, covering a range of criminal offences for both prosecution and defence.

Richard has conducted a broad array of criminal cases including serious violence, drugs offences, sexual offences and dishonesty offences. Richard regularly acts in Magistrates’ and Crown Court cases and has had success in the Court of Appeal. He is a level 2 prosecutor for the CPS.

Richard has a unique background of working as a Veterinary Surgeon for 10 years prior to changing career to become a barrister. This background gives Richard particular expertise that can assist when dealing with scientific evidence or cases involving animals.

Regulatory/Private Prosecutions

Richard is regularly instructed in licensing cases including taxi licensing and premises licensing cases. He has been instructed in private prosecutions for local authorities including education matters. Richard has represented clients in matters relating to agricultural land and its usage.

Notable Cases

R v S & others

Crime

Led by Iain Simkin KC in prosecution case regarding Oldham prostitution and human trafficking ring. All defendants were convicted.
https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/24577662.six-jailed-roles-oldham-prostitution-operation/
R v G

Crime

Led by Zoe Dawson in a defence case. Defendant was charged with historic sexual offences including rape of a child. The prosecution offered no evidence after a 2 day “voir dire” hearing where the officer in the case was cross-examined about disclosure failings.
R v S

Crime

Successful in the Court of Appeal on an appeal against sentence. The Court reduced the defendant’s sentence from one of 30 months to 18 months.
R v M

Crime

Successfully defended in a case where the defendant was accused of 2 counts of ABH and dangerous driving. The defendant was acquitted of all charges.
R v T

Crime

Defended in a case of money laundering where the prosecution estimated the value to be in excess of £300,000 in a 2 year period. The jury convicted the co-defendant but couldn’t return a verdict on T and the prosecution offered no evidence resulting in a not guilty verdict.
R v K

Crime

Defendant acquitted of possession of an offensive weapon and bladed article after successfully arguing that the defendant had a reasonable excuse for the bladed article and baseball bat.
R v D

Crime

Defendant acquitted of ABH and possession of an offensive weapon. Successfully argued that the defendant was acting in self-defence when he caused the injuries.

Appointments

CPS Advocates Panel – Level 2
GLD Junior Junior Scheme

Professional Associations

Junior Junior Scheme

Education

BVMS – University of Glasgow
GDL – University of Law (Distinction)
LLM Legal Practice (Bar Course) – BPP (Distinction)

Awards

Queen Mother Prize – Middle Temple
Advocacy Scholarship – BPP