Profile

A leading practitioner in catastrophic injury and clinical negligence cases.  Acts for both claimants and defendants in acquired injury of the utmost severity (mainly neurological injury to the brain, spinal injuries and amputations) and for claimants in wide range of clinical negligence cases (birth damage, failed/late diagnoses, emergency medicine, neurological/vascular accidents etc).  Also regulatory and allied clinical litigation arising from cosmetic surgery etc.

Nick has extensive experience in regulatory law and has both prosecuted and defended in cases involving health and safety issues brought by local authorities, the health and safety executive and the police. He has appeared at inquests arising out of health and safety investigations into a wide range of fatal accidents.  In particular, Nick has acted for parties in criminal and civil proceedings relating to: health, safety and engineering aspects of roller coaster rides and fairground accidents (fatal accidents caused by collisions / tetraplegia following rides), collisions whilst jet skiing, construction and building site accidents (fatal accidents from fork lift and dumper truck accidents), accidents caused by allegedly unsuitable materials (building materials, tiling etc), steeplejack accidents and in the broadest range of issues arising from motor accidents.

Areas of Expertise

Memberships

PIBA
Inner Temple

Qualifications

LL.B (Hons) Ph.D

Appointments

Queen's Counsel

Recorder (Crime & Civil)

Deputy High Court Judge

Professor of Law, University of Birmingham

Head of Chambers 2010 - 2017

Publications

Various in journals and books

Recommendations

Legal 500, 2020

"Good with clients, as well as being analytically and tactically strong."

Chambers UK 2020:

"Very experienced in handling claims of the utmost severity. He has excellent legal skills and employs a very practical approach to claims." "He's always reassuring and well prepared, and has an excellent manner with clients." "A true heavyweight in the field of catastrophic personal injury work. He always prepares meticulously and is someone you want on your side in high-value claims involving tricky causation or liability issues."

"He is always reassuring and well prepared, and has an excellent manner with clients. He's courteous to all parties but will fight tenaciously for his client."

Chambers UK 2018:

"He is always very well prepared and is great with clients. He puts them at ease and has great empathy. He leaves no stone unturned to get the best result for clients." "He has a caring and gentle manner with clients but can be an aggressive advocate when necessary."

"An excellent QC who is very meticulous and good on medical evidence. He thrives on complexity and is excellent with clients." "Hugely experienced and a very smooth, reassuring presence. He is good at assimilating large documents and paring down the issues to get to the nitty-gritty." 

Legal 500 2018:

‘Very intelligent with tactical flair.’

Chambers UK 2017:

"He combines everything you want in a QC, he's clever, a good advocate, tactical and easy to work with." "He is forensic in his attention to detail, he will know a case inside-out."

"He makes the client feel central to everything so they don't feel like they are sidelined at all. He ensures that everything is explained to them in a way they understand and is very respectful." "What stands out, really, is his technical ability; he can go beyond what we usually find in cases and is not fazed by dealing with difficult issues."

Legal 500 2017: 

‘He has brilliant analytical skills and is great at handling sensitive issues.'

Chambers UK 2016:

“A standout performer; a very robust and skilful advocate”

"He is wise and experienced; great to have on your team"

Legal 500 2015:

"Excellent with clients, analytical, yet still practical in his approach"