5 Essex Chambers says a fond farewell to Richard Oulton as he retires today

Richard Oulton joined Chambers in 2005 having been called to the Bar following a successful career as a litigation solicitor and then partner at City law firm, Travers Smith. He has a wide range of experience across a number of different practice areas, but in recent years he has mainly specialised in employment law. When asked about his retirement, Richard said:

“Looking back on it, I suppose the seed of retirement was planted when my landline started ringing behind me during an online employment tribunal hearing at home, a year or two ago. Just my luck – I hadn’t heard it ring for a long time. I half turned to take the phone off the hook, but then paused, realising that the curiously irritating noise a dehooked phone begins to make after only a few seconds was only going to make matters worse. It was then that the judge asked: “Mr Oulton, have you ever heard of the 21st century… mute button?” A number of my former pupils could have foreseen this as an accident waiting to happen!

As I said when I announced my impending retirement, 5 Essex has been such a special place to work: Warm and friendly on the one hand, yet dynamic and energetic on the other. I have spent 19 happy and fulfilling years here, and I have so many wonderful memories.

Thank you so very much to you all”.

After 19 years gracing the halls of Chambers, we bid Richard a fond farewell but not without first hearing from some of his clients, co-tenants, former pupils and clerk who pay tribute to him with their heartfelt words and memories.

“We will miss Richard dearly in Chambers – 19 years is a lifetime (you get less for murder) – especially your geniality, easy-going and relaxed nature, and ability to turn yourself to whatever is thrown at you. We all trust that his trips to Necker Island, courtesy of his old friend, will be some substitute for the police misconduct work that he leaves behind.”  Jason Beer KC, Head of Chambers, 5 Essex Chambers

“One of the nicest people in Chambers – I will always remember the sight of him bicycling in with his JR terrier Dennis in the basket. He was always ready to help-out anyone who asked – I will miss him.”  Victoria von Wachter, Barrister, 5 Essex Chambers

“I have always considered you a particularly friendly face in chambers and someone who has given me a good steer on employment issues on more than a few occasions”. Daniel Hobbs, Barrister, 5 Essex Chambers

“I can’t believe that it was in October 2006 that you welcomed me to chambers as my first pupil master; I’ve always been incredibly grateful for your kindness, fun and support during and after pupillage and I am very sad that you’re going. I fondly remember some of the incredibly weird and wonderful cases that we worked on together.”  Mark Thomas, Barrister, 5 Essex Chambers

“Richard is a unique and special individual. When I was his pupil, he would – with no warning – launch into recitals of poetry or classic maxims in Latin. He pursued his passions later in life by abandoning a City firm partnership to become a barrister, and I always found that inspirational. I wish him continued success in his next passion: dry stone walling.”  Alex Ustych, Barrister, 5 Essex Chambers

“We will miss you as a member of Chambers. You have been a wonderful colleague, always friendly, kind and welcoming from when I started as a pupil. It was a pleasure sharing a corridor with you for a time – and I shall fondly remember our impromptu joint recitation of “O Fons Bandusiae”.”  Alice Meredith, Barrister, 5 Essex Chambers

“Richard, it’s been a pleasure clerking you over the last 19 years. I still remember carrying your desk across from 2KBW when I was a junior clerk, a long time ago now. Your kind personality and calm approach to work were always appreciated by the clerks. I will miss our regular chats, mainly when I could pull your leg about Chelsea Football Club!”  James Cole, Clerk, 5 Essex Chambers

“From a personal perspective, I have really enjoyed working with you on all my cases and will miss working with you in the future. I always appreciate your sound advice and excellent pleadings.”  Claire Andrews, Senior Solicitor, West Mercia Police

“I’ve enjoyed working with you the short time that we have. Indeed, after working with your chambers almost a quarter of a century, I asked myself how it was that we hadn’t worked together before. When you drafted a short chronology on a case recently, I realised that you were very forensic in your approach, sadly a quality often neglected. Having discovered your talent recently and added your name to our armoury of counsel, it will for our own selfish reasons be quite unhelpful for you to retire so soon!!! Wishing you the very best and I will miss your wisdom, skill and camaraderie.”  Afzal Chowdhury, Head of Legal Services, Hertfordshire Constabulary

“I’m so sorry to hear that you will be leaving 5 Essex, but I can completely understand that after 19 years of your desire to hang up your boots and fully embrace many sailing adventures! I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you too, and thankful for your wise counsel and unflappable persona on many legal issues.”  Rachel Thornton, Gloucestershire Police

“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Richard for many years. Richard has guided us through several sagas, and through his dedication, attention to detail and pragmatic and collaborative approach, Richard has helped us to achieve excellent results for our clients over the years and he is going to be sorely missed. We are sure Richard will not miss the late night and weekend calls and emails and will relish his new found freedom! We wish Richard all the best for his next adventure.”  Victoria Pegg, Associate, Gowling WLG LLP

“It’s been a pleasure working with you over all these years and I’ve learnt a lot from your approach to litigation and, more importantly, how to treat the people you come across in this business. I’ve also really enjoyed tales of your adventures, of which I’m sure there are many more to come!!”  Anna Samprini, Legal Director, Capsticks LLP

Chambers would like to wish Richard every happiness in his retirement. He will be sorely missed.