Richard Moss

Richard accepts instructions for both publicly funded and private clients in the Crown Court and private clients in the Magistrates’ Court.

Notable acquittals include for murder, attempt murder, assault of a child by penetration, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity by a carer with persons lacking capacity, sexual assault, wilful neglect by a carer, possession of class A drugs with intent to supply, s.18 GBH, possession of firearms and other weapons, dangerous driving, perverting the course of justice, violent disorder, robbery, theft in breach of trust (by a carer) and racially aggravated offences. He has successfully undertaken appeals to the Court of Appeal.

He is experienced at dealing with:;

• Sexual offences including rape, offences of outraging public decency, voyeurism, assault by penetration, sexual assault, possession and distribution of indecent images and child sex offences;
• Violent offences including murder, attempt murder, manslaughter, s.18 GBH, threats to kill and kidnap;
• Public Order offences including violent disorder;
• Prison Mutiny;
• Firearms offences including possession of firearms with intent and possession of disguised weapons;
• Conspiracy to cause explosions (ATM attacks);
• Offences against property including arson with intent to endanger life,
• Dishonesty offences including multi handed conspiracies, fraud, blackmail, robbery and aggravated burglary;
• Drug offences including multi handed conspiracies to supply Class A and cases engaging human trafficking and modern slavery legislation offences;
• Perverting the course of justice;
• Offences aggravated by racial, sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination;
• Confiscation proceedings.

Other notable defence work has included conspiracy to import counterfeit medicines and environmental, health and safety, statutory nuisance and trading standards offences.

He maintains a strong road traffic practice receiving frequent instructions in such cases, including homicide offences involving driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He receives instructions in matters relating to firearms licensing.

Richard is a grade 4 prosecutor on the CPS list. He is appointed to the RASSO panel.

Notable prosecutions have included for s.18 GBH, causing death by dangerous driving, firearms offences, brothel keeping and under the Computer Misuse Act. Other significant experience encompasses kidnap, aggravated burglary, multi handed drug conspiracies (including cases involving modern slavery and human trafficking), multi handed conspiracy to rob, various sexual offences (including rape and child sex offences), child cruelty, controlling or coercive behaviour, perverting the course of justice, bomb hoaxes and various frauds (including benefit fraud, fraud by abuse of position by carers and by financial officers).

Recent work when led included in a multi-handed conspiracy to defraud and an eight handed conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Road traffic prosecutions have included causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving, dangerous driving (including hit and run incidents) and causing bodily harm by wanton and furious driving.

Richard is experienced in dealing with confiscation proceedings, football banning orders and is experienced in dealing with cases which engage the Modern Slavery Act.

R v I [2025] – Trial duration: 2 weeks

Central Criminal Court

Led by Kate Lumsdon KC in attempted murder trial. D suffered from psychotic episode at time of stabbing. Issue of whether D was capable of forming requisite intent. Jury hung on attempt murder and convicted of s.18.

R v E [2025] – Trial duration: 4 weeks

Central Criminal Court

Led by James Mulholland KC in murder trial. Shooting incident. Retrial following hung jury in 2024.

R v G [2025] – Trial duration: 8 weeks

Central Criminal Court

Appeared for fifth defendant in relation to conspiring to pervert the court of justice. Multi-handed murder trial.

R v N & G [2025] – Trial duration: 5 days

Reading Crown Court

Successful prosecution for robbery of vulnerable 80 year old male in his home and inflicting s.18 injuries.

R v S [2024] – Trial duration: 3 weeks

Kingston Crown Court

Multi-handed conspiracy to import large quantities of MDMA. Richard represented a Border Force official who accepted misconduct in public office but denied knowing that he was assisting in importing drugs. He asserted he believed it was cigarettes and alcohol. Acquitted.

R v H – Trial duration: 7 days

Aylesbury Crown Court

Prosecuted a father for the rape of his severely disabled daughter. Described by HHJ as the “most wicked rape” he had tried in 20 years as a judge. D received an extended sentence of 20 years.

R v W [2024] – Trial duration: 2 weeks

Kingston Crown Court

Manslaughter trial led by James Mulholland KC. Richard successfully argued for a stay of these proceedings. The prosecution sought to exceptionally try a defendant a third time for manslaughter following two hung juries.

R v P [2024] – Trial duration: 4 days

Reading Crown Court

Acquitted of sexual assault by penetration. Defence of fabrication and innocent explanation for DNA transfer.

R v R [2024] – Trial duration: 5 days

Birmingham Crown Court

Richard achieved an acquittal for Attempt Murder at Birmingham Crown Court. The victim was shot at point blank range. The defendant was not called and a speech was given on the issue of intent.

R v B [2024] – Trial duration: 7 days

Oxford Crown Court

Represented young defendant accused of a number of in-relationship offences. D was acquitted of rape and non-fatal strangulation.

R v M [2023] - Trial duration: 8 weeks

Central Criminal Court

Richard led by James Mulholland KC secured acquittal for murder of defendant in multi-handed murder trial. Cut-throat defences run.

R v P [2023] – Trial duration: 5 days

Reading Crown Court

Acquitted of rape of housemate after retrial. Defence of reasonable belief in consent.

R v G [2022]

Oxford Crown Court

Richard led Adam Williams defending in this multi-handed conspiracy to cause explosions. The case related to ATM attacks. On a plea the defendant received 10 ½ years.

R v F & Others [2021] – Trial duration: 2 weeks

Oxford Crown Court

Successful prosecution of multi-handed drugs conspiracy. County lines operation known as “Hollywood”.

R v BRM [2021] – Trial duration: 5 weeks

Reading Crown Court & Court of Appeal [2022] EWCA Crim 385

Oliver Stephens murder trial. Appeared for first defendant, 14 years old, led by Timothy Raggatt QC. Convicted of murder. Acquitted of perverting the course of justice.

Application for leave to appeal against conviction refused.

R v D [2021] - Trial duration: 5 weeks

Reading Crown Court

Six handed attempt murder trial. Appeared for second defendant as junior alone. Defendant acquitted of attempt murder, convicted of possession of firearm with intent to endanger life. Conspiracy to supply drugs of a class unknown successfully dismissed. Submission of no case to answer upheld re being concerned in the supply of drugs of a class unknown.

R v E [2021]

Court of Appeal [2021] EWCA Crim 485

Appeal against sentence allowed. 38 months reduced to 28 months in relation to sentence for Arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered.

R v B [2020] – Trial duration: 5 weeks

Central Criminal Court & Court of Appeal [2021] 4 WLR 5

PC Harper murder trial. Appeared for second defendant led by Timothy Raggatt QC. Acquitted of murder. Convicted of manslaughter.

R v H [2019] – Trial duration: 5 days

Aylesbury Crown Court

Successful prosecution for causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. Case hinged on circumstantial evidence where the defendant accepted presence but denied being the driver.

R v U [2019] – Trial duration: 4 days

Aylesbury Crown Court

Defendant, 18 at time of offence, acquitted of three counts of sexual assault, the complainant was 14. Defence of consent and fabrication.

R v S [2019] – Trial duration: 5 days

Reading Crown Court

Successful prosecution of defendant at the head of a county lines conspiracy to supply class A.

R v B [2019] – Trial duration: 6 days

Oxford Crown Court

Defendant acquitted of Possession of Class A with intent to supply. Defence of duress run.

R v N [2019] – Trial duration: 10 days

Reading Crown Court

Prosecution under the Computer Misuse Act of a consultant who maliciously terminated servers (hosted by Amazon Web Servers) of his former employer causing around £500,000 of damage. Convicted after trial.

“Richard Moss has a great manner with juries and is able to get to grips with the complexities of cases with ease.” Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2026

“Richard Moss is a legal voice you can trust. He is exceptionally good at representing those accused of murder with mental health vulnerabilities.”

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2026

“Richard is hard-working and highly professional. He commands respect among his peers and gains the trust of judges and juries alike.”

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2026

‘Richard is an exceptional barrister and quite frankly a King’s Counsel in waiting. His advocacy is of the highest standard.’  Legal 500 2026

Legal 500

“This firm has instructed Richard Moss for over 10 of years on a large number of cases.  In recent years he has been Instructed on some of the most complex cases for this firm, including; a multi handed Prison Mutiny, Arson With Intent to Endanger Life, large scale Conspiracies to Supply Class A Drugs and multi handed Aggravated Burglaries amongst many other cases.   I have frequently observed him in Court and have been impressed at how well he cross examines an awkward witness or argues a difficult application or mitigates an excessive sentence at the Court of Appeal. He is a highly intelligent, knowledgeable and skilled advocate that has the ability to deal with complex issues effectively and I have observed how persuasive he is to both the Judiciary and Juries.  Richard has achieved some very good outcomes for clients of this firm and those most discerning and demanding of clients have all come away impressed with his skill, intelligence and efforts he has made for them.  I would recommend him highly.”

Senior Partner, Baxter Brown McArthur Solicitors

“We formally instructed Mr Richard Moss in 2019 and as a result of what we saw we subsequently instructed him as junior on a very difficult and high-profile case at the Central Criminal Court. We have found Mr Moss to be of invaluable support both to client and solicitors. His attention to detail and incredible hard work is outstanding. We had no hesitation in recommending him to other local solicitors for very serious cases.  Outstanding Barrister.”

Andrew Storch Solicitors