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# Richard A. Smith

Mississippi FOURTH Circuit District Court · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Mississippi FOURTH Circuit District Court
- State: Mississippi
- Role: Circuit Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### electronic media coverage

Scope: statewide

Mississippi allows electronic media coverage of public judicial proceedings in appellate and trial courts of record, subject to the rules and presiding judge control.

Evidence excerpt: Electronic media coverage of public judicial proceedings shall be allowed in the appellate and trial courts of record in this state subject to the conditions below.

[Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### presiding judge discretion

Scope: statewide

The presiding Mississippi justice or judge may limit or terminate electronic coverage when necessary to protect rights, witnesses, dignity of the court, or orderly proceedings.

Evidence excerpt: The presiding justice or judge has the discretion to limit or terminate electronic coverage at any time during the proceedings

[Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### advance notice for media

Scope: statewide

Mississippi media representatives must provide advance notice for electronic or photographic coverage under the court rules.

Evidence excerpt: Rule 5 ... requires that media representatives give at least 48 hours

[Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.sos.ms.gov/content/documents/ed_pubs/pubs/2026JD/JD%20and%20Court%20Calendar%202026.pdf)
- [Official roster](https://www.sos.ms.gov/content/documents/ed_pubs/pubs/2026JD/JD%20and%20Court%20Calendar%202026.pdf)
- [Mississippi Secretary of State Judicial Directory official judicial roster](https://www.sos.ms.gov/content/documents/ed_pubs/pubs/2026JD/JD%20and%20Court%20Calendar%202026.pdf)
- [Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Elevated to the High Court on 20 February 2023, assigned to the Chancery Division, and is formally styled as The Honourable Mr Justice Richard Smith
- Appointed a Recorder for criminal matters in 2018 and became a Deputy High Court Judge in 2019, serving in both the Chancery and King’s Bench divisions
- In 2018, he pursued postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge while also working as an arbitrator and serving as a Crown Court Recorder
- He became a partner at the firm in 2001, specializing in commercial disputes and public inquiry work
- Richard Smith studied law at Manchester University and qualified as a solicitor in 1994, joining Allen & Overy as a commercial litigation solicitor
- Smith’s career reflects a blend of commercial law, arbitration, and public inquiry experience, bringing a solicitor’s perspective to the senior judiciary

### Education


### Additional information

- In addition to his High Court duties, Smith has been appointed by the Lord Chancellor as a chairman of the Competition Appeal Tribunal, under section 12(2)(b) of the Enterprise Act 2002.
- representing witnesses in high-profile inquiries such as BSE, Bloody Sunday, and Hong Kong Airport.
- His appointment is part of a broader effort to include solicitors in senior judicial roles, highlighting the value of diverse legal backgrounds in the High Court