Richard Marks Q.C. was born on 20^th November 1953. He was educated at Clifton College, Bristol and at the University of Manchester.
He is an exclusively criminal practitioner whose principal area of work involves homicide, fraud, drugs, money laundering and armed robbery. Since taking silk in 1999, he has appeared in approximately 75 homicide cases. He both prosecutes and defends, although in recent years the main focus of his practice has been defending.He has for several years been listed in Chambers and Partners as a leading silk in crime on the Northern Circuit.
In 1991 he began sitting as an Assistant Recorder, and was appointed a Recorder in 1994.In 1999 he was appointed Queens Counsel.In 2001 he became a part time President of the Mental Health (Restricted Patients) Review Tribunal. In 2006 he took over as Head of Chambers at Peel Court Chambers, where he has been in practice throughout his career.In 2007 he was appointed a tutor judge in crime with the Judicial Studies Board.
From 1^st January 2008, he has occupied the position of Leader of the Northern Circuit.

Significant cases in which he has been involved include the following:
R. v.Watson and others, 87 C.A.R. 1 – Directions to jury in majority verdict situation, ( the 'Watson' direction).
R. v. Stevens and others, 96 C.A.R. 303 – The leading case in sentencing Defendants in mortgage fraud cases.
R. v.Humber and others, Manchester Crown Court, 2001 – multi million pound VAT fraud.
A-G Reference no. 19,20 and 21 of 2001, R v. Byrne and others, 2002 1 C.A.R. (S) 33 – Guideline case in sentencing in manslaughter cases.
R. v.Saghir Ahmed and others, Liverpool Crown Court, 2002 – Customs and Excise duty fraud, involving London City Bond, in which proceedings were stayed for abuse of process.
R. v. Essa and others, Manchester Crown Court, 2003 – Stockport drugs related contract killing.
A-G Reference no. 74,95 and 118 of 2002, R.v.Suratan and others, 2003 2 C.A.R. (S) 33 – Guideline case in sentencing in manslaughter cases.
R. v.Jones and Jenkins 2004 1 C.A.R. 5 – directing juries where co-Defendants give evidence against one another. 
R. v. Lowe, Manchester Crown Court, 2005 – killing by Defendant of his father whilst sleepwalking.
R. v.Climo and others, Preston Crown Court,2005 – Ormskirk contract killing.
R. v. Rashford 2005 EWCA Crim. 3377 – fact that D. in a murder case was the initial aggressor does not render self-defence invalid as a defence.
R.v. Henson, Liverpool Crown Court, 2006 – Salford contract killing.
R. v.Peniston, Manchester Crown Court, 2007 – manslaughter by Defendant(aged 16) of his sister (aged 12) by accidental shooting.
R. v. Sorton and others, Chester Crown Court, 2007/8 – killing of Gary Newlove, by kicking, in Warrington.
R. v. Ryan Herbert and others, Preston Crown Court, 2008 -'Goth' killing of Sophie Lancaster in Bacup.