Qualifications and Professional Associations

• LLB (Hons) London
• Called to the Bar by the Middle Temple 2002
• Member of the Criminal Bar Association

Since being called to the Bar in 2002, Nicholas has developed a strong Crown Court practice specialising in the full range of criminal law, but particularly offences involving violence, drugs, sexual offences and serious public disorder.

Areas of Specialisation

Although predominantly specialising in criminal defence, Nicholas has also prosecuted on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, H.M. Revenue & Customs, Local Authorities, the NHS and the Probation Service.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Nicholas was a serving Police Officer (and instructor at the Police National Public Order training school) and so has a specialist understanding of Police practice and procedure. Also, as a former Police advanced informant handler, Nicholas has specialist knowledge and experience of the police use of informants. The knowledge obtained through this experience gives Nicholas substantial advantages when defending or prosecuting cases involving informants or Police undercover operations.

Nicholas has been instructed as trial counsel in serious cases involving offences of kidnap, wounding with intent, importation and supply of class A drugs and serious public order offences. He has been instructed as junior trial counsel in cases involving offences of murder, money laundering and conspiracy to handle stolen goods (large scale ‘car ringing’).

Nicholas’ particular strengths are his ability to deal with defendants who have mental health problems and juvenile defendants charged with serious offences.

Nicholas has experience of military law, courts martial and police disciplinary hearings.