Richard Honey QC practises in the fields of public law and environmental law, with particular specialisms in judicial review and similar statutory challenges, infrastructure projects, compulsory purchase and compensation, and climate change and ESG litigation.  He is called to the Bars of England and Wales and Northern Ireland.  Richard is an experienced appellate advocate, having appeared in the Court of Appeal 18 times, including 14 appearances as lead/sole counsel.  Until he took Silk, he was a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel of junior counsel to the Crown, having spent some 12 years on the AG’s panels in total.

Richard has been involved in many of the leading court cases on the interpretation of the National Planning Policy Framework and on environmental/habitats assessment, as well as wider public law litigation concerning matters such as human rights, equalities, the lawfulness of consultation and legitimate expectation.  His work for government has included advisory work on new primary and secondary legislation, environmental assessment, international environmental law obligations, and the lawfulness of a wide range of governmental decisions.

In recent years Richard has provided strategic advice on a variety of infrastructure schemes, including on road and rail schemes for DfT, flood management schemes for the Environment Agency, and DCOs for Highways England.  He has also advised the Planning Inspectorate on DCO applications.  Richard continues to be instructed in a wide range of compulsory acquisition matters, and Upper Tribunal Lands Chamber compensation references, for both claimants and acquiring authorities.  

Linked to his wide-ranging environmental law practice, Richard has experience in advising on and litigating environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters, including climate change, emissions trading, biodiversity, and business and human rights.  His experience of climate change legislation goes back to 2007-2008, when he undertook advisory and drafting work on the Climate Change Bill.  He has particular experience of climate change risk assessment and climate litigation risk management, including in relation to implementing the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations and the Equator Principles (EP4).  He has acted in a number of contentious climate change cases for BEIS, HM Treasury and UK Export Finance.  

Commenting, Andrew Tait QC Head of Chambers at FTB, said: “The appointment of Richard Honey as Queen's Counsel is a fitting recognition of his exceptional skills and professionalism. This news is further testament to the strength and continuing development of our Chambers in the fields of administrative, planning and environmental law as part of our overall public law practice.”

Please contact Paul Coveney, Senior Clerk, should you wish to discuss Richard’s availability for cases, on 020 7427 1847 or email paul.coveney@ftbchambers.co.uk.