Richard John Viney
21 March 1969 – 26 August 2021
It is with untold grief that 12 KBW announces the saddest news imaginable: our dear friend and brother Richard Viney passed away in a cycling accident on Thursday 26th August 2021.
Richard was a wonderfully gentle, kind, modest and selfless man with a brilliant mind and a big heart who gave his all to chambers throughout his many years with us. He was elected as our very first Deputy Head of Chambers and performed that role with such unwavering dedication and distinction that he was repeatedly re-elected. He did so despite performing several other important roles in public service – Deputy District Judge for the West Midlands and barrister member of the Civil Procedure Rule Committee – and building a hugely successful practice at the same time. He was undoubtedly on the cusp of taking silk. He loved our chambers, mentoring so many of us in so many different ways both at and away from the Bar, and he was unanimously and deeply loved by all of us, members and staff alike. He was a father to some, an uncle or a brother to others, and a son to the more senior members who nurtured him in his early years. Pressure always seemed to dissipate when Richard was there. His death leaves an unfillable void in all of our lives.
Our focus and priority for the present is to support his family – please hold Lisa and their boys, and Richard’s siblings in your thoughts – and also each other, as we try and get through our grief.
An announcement will be made in due course as to the funeral and/or any memorial event. If you wish to be notified of the details please provide your name and contact details to Tracey Oliver. Oliver@12kbw.co.uk
