Richard Barge

CAREER

Richard is a Partner at Vardags and focuses on the financial side of separation and divorce. He acts for high net worth individuals and their spouses or partners, securing strong outcomes whether a case is resolved in court or by agreement. His work has a particular emphasis on drafting and negotiating pre- and post-nuptial agreements, matrimonial assets held abroad (including offshore trusts), disputes involving complex business interests and farms, and advising international clients on jurisdiction and forum disputes.

Richard started his legal career at FBC Manby Bowdler LLP in 1994. He trained and qualified there and progressed through associate and salaried partner to equity partner. He moved to Aaron & Partners LLP in 2010 as Equity Partner and Head of the Family department, leading the team across the Chester, Shrewsbury, Altrincham and Wirral offices for 13 years. He then continued with the firm as a consultant from 2023.

During this time, Richard also worked for the Law Commission of England and Wales as a Legal Practice Advisor in the Property, Family and Trust Law team. He contributed to and co-authored the Commission’s scoping report on financial remedies on divorce, published in December 2024.

As a trained collaborative lawyer, Richard offers non-court dispute resolution to clients who want to avoid litigation. He has been ranked annually in both the Legal 500 and Chambers directories for 20 years and is named a “Senior Statesperson” for family work in the Chambers North-West rankings. He has also written for Resolution’s publication, The Review.

EDUCATION

Richard holds a first-class LLB (Hons) from Birmingham City University.

PERSONAL

Richard is closely involved in his local community. He has been a board member and trustee of Citizens Advice Sandwell & Walsall, chairs Lilleshall Cricket Club, and is legal advisor to the Shropshire County Cricket League. A keen sportsman, he competes in cricket, squash, tennis and racketlon, and he has a long-standing interest in political and social history. Originally from Oxfordshire, he has made his home in Shropshire with his family for the past 30 years. He is at his happiest out in the hills with his two labradors, Blue and Belle.