James Nicholls Consultant Solicitor

Transcription

1 James Nicholls Consultant Solicitor +44 (0) Practice & Background James qualified as a solicitor in He qualified at Edward Fail, Bradshaw & Waterson in East London later working at Simons Muirhead & Burton and The Stokoe Partnership. He ran his own practice, Nicholls & Co, in South London for a number of years before becoming a Consultant Solicitor in 2009 with. He has extensive experience and expertise in defending the whole range of criminal cases. Most notably, serious criminal allegations ranging from murder, firearms and sexual offences, to multi-handed fraud and drug trafficking cases. James has been instructed on confiscation proceedings where he was not the solicitor at trial. His expertise in confiscation and enforcement matters pursued under the current proceeds of crime legislation has led him being referred a high volume of cases in this area of law including applications for Certificates of Inadequacy under the Drug Trafficking Act 1994 and applications to reduce confiscation orders and appeals. James has extensive experience in financial crime allegations and now represents clients in complex fraud prosecutions including VAT Fraud, Tax Evasion, Fraudulent Trading and FSMA Regulatory Offences. He also represents clients accused of large scale drug trafficking offences investigated by the National Crime Agency. The majority of James cases are prosecuted by the nationwide Complex Case Units of the Crown Prosecution Service. Page 1

2 For a number of years James has been instructed by the London Fire Brigade to act for its drivers facing prosecution for driving offences allegedly committed under blue light conditions where the case has involved complex expert evidence as to the assessment of speed from forensic evidence at the scene. James has established his practice through client referral. He is dedicated to his clients. He approaches each case with insightful analysis, attention to detail and thorough preparation. He is known for his personable and straight forward manner in advising clients and guiding them through the criminal justice process. His practice is not restricted to London and in the last 10 years he has represented clients in trials before the Birmingham, Coventry, Warwick and Wolverhampton, Liverpool and Newcastle & Teesside Crown Courts as well as courts on the South Coast such as Exeter, Bournemouth and Portsmouth. He has substantial expertise in appeals against conviction and sentence and in the drafting of petitions to the Criminal Cases Review Commission for the review of convictions. James has been representing clients at police stations for over 20 years and has been a Duty Solicitor since Recent and Notable Cases Homicide & Serious Violence: R-v-B [2014],Harrow Crown Court. Attempted Murder. Acted for lead defendant with Tim Greene at Birds in case involving complex cell site analysis and expert analysis of CCTV footage. R-v-C [2011], Wolverhampton Crown Court. Murder. R-v-H [2011], Oxford Crown Court. A series of Armed Robberies in Oxford. R-v-S & Others [2008], Central Criminal Court. Multi-handed gang related murder within the Sri Lankan community. R-v-B [2006], Exeter Crown Court. Murder. Page 2

3 R-v-B [2005], Bournemouth Crown Court. Series of armed robberies in the home counties. R-v-M [2005], Central Criminal Court. Murder. R-v-D [2004], Croydon Crown Court. Death by dangerous driving. R-v- S [2004], Norwich Crown Court. Multi-handed case of violent disorder involving serious violence at Hindu religious festival Organised Crime Related Offences: R-v- S [2015], Teesside Crown Court. Operation Roderigo. Acted for lead defendant in proceedings originating from 3 year investigation relating into a conspiracy to supply Class A & manufacture of Class B drugs between the North East & North West of England with a street value of 1 billion. R-v- S [2014], Liverpool Crown Court. Acted for lead defendant in relation to a conspiracy to supply 463kg of Cocaine valued at 70million investigated by the National Crime Agency. R-v- S [2013], Plymouth Crown Court. Nationwide conspiracy to supply Class A & B drugs between Liverpool and the South West of England R-v- S [2013], Woolwich Crown Court. Acted for lead defendant in relation to conspiracy to supply 128 Kg of import quality cocaine valued at 50 million. R-v- D [2013], Southwark Crown Court. Multi-handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs at street level in Central London. James acted for a client with serious learning difficulties. R-v- J [2011], Birmingham Crown Court. Multi-handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs between the Midlands and Scotland involving evidence of a "supergrass" under a SOCPA agreement. R-v-H [2011], Canterbury Crown Court. Multi-handed conspiracy to import Heroin between Holland and the UK. R-v-S [2010], Liverpool Crown Court. Multi-handed conspiracy to import Class A drugs between Holland and the UK. R-v-F [2010], Newcastle Crown Court. Conspiracy to supply cannabis and Amphetamine. Page 3

4 R-v- M [2009], Teesside Crown Court. Supply of cocaine, money laundering & fraud. R-v- F [2008], Newcastle Crown Court. Multi-handed conspiracy to supply 50kg of heroin. Fraud: R-v-M [2015], Southwark Crown Court. Acted for lead defendant in multi million pound fraud relating to factoring financing. R-v-W [2011], Central Criminal Court. Conspiracy to defraud. "Ponzi Scheme" fraud valued at 250,000 and evasion of Income Tax of the same value. Successfully overturned a compensation order made in excess of 250,000 against the client. R-v-B [2010], Wood Green Crown Court. Acted for main defendant in multihanded conspiracy to defraud & money laundering. Internet holiday villa fraud valued in excess of 200,000. R-v-N [2010], Ipswich Crown Court. Mortgage fraud valued in excess of 500,000. R-v-G [2009], Southwark Crown Court. Acted for the main defendant in a multi-handed conspiracy to defraud & FSMA regulatory offences. "Boiler Room" fraud valued at in excess of 3m. R-v-B [2009], Southwark Crown Court. Multi-handed fraudulent trading, conspiracy to launder criminal proceeds valued at in excess of 1m. R-v- S [2006], Coventry Crown Court. Multi-handed conspiracy to evade excise duty on fuel in excess of 3m. Sexual Offences: R-v- W [2015] Kingston Crown Court. Acted for defendant accused of historic sexual abuse allegations dating back 30 years against multiple victims R-v-M [2005]. Central criminal Court. Multiple allegations of rape involving separate complainants against a juvenile defendant. R-v-N [2005], Snaresbrook Crown Court. Historic rape allegation. Page 4

5 R-v-K [2004]. Central Criminal Court. Allegation of gang rape against a juvenile defendant. Professional Memberships London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association (LCCSA) Proceeds of Crime Act Lawyers Association (POCALA) Criminal Appeal Lawyer s Association (CALA) Education and Languages James was educated at The Schools, Shrewsbury and later went on to complete an external LLB (Hons) degree at the London University. He is able to speak and understand French at a basic level. Page 5