Nick James
2001
Nick has an extensive financial crime practice, representing those accused of bribery, fraud or money laundering.
Nick acts in Proceeds of Crime matters, very recently in the consolidated Appeals, R v Haden and others [2024] EWCA Crim 344, on refusals to extend the period of postponement in confiscation proceedings.
Nick also acts in Sports Law cases, recently representing the head of the Belarus Athletics Team who was charged with violations of the World Athletics Integrity Code of Conduct.
Recent Directory quotes include:
‘…empathetic with clients and impressive in court’ and ‘..courageous and unshakable in his commitment to his clients’.
‘He has a knack. He really knows his cases and tactically plays things just right.
‘On his feet Nick is an extremely skilled advocate, one of the very the best at the Bar, who combines meticulous preparation with exceptional client care.’
‘Nick is an engaging advocate who retains a personal and affable manner even when forcefully making points to a judge or jury. He has a wonderfully light touch. He is thorough and hardworking’
Financial Crime and POCA
‘Nick James is a talented barrister with a reputation for diligence and the provision of impressive advocacy.’ Chambers and Partners 2024 (Financial Crime)
‘Nick is an engaging advocate who retains a personal and affable manner even when forcefully making points to a judge or jury. He has a wonderfully light touch. He is thorough and hardworking and will not miss points but makes sure that he is always focused on the ultimate issues.’ Legal 500 2024 (Fraud)
“Nick is empathetic with clients and impressive in court.” Chambers and Partners 2023 (Financial Crime)
“Nick is courageous and unshakable in his commitment to his clients.” Chambers and Partners 2023 (Financial Crime)
‘On his feet Nick is an extremely skilled advocate, one of very the best at the Bar, who combines meticulous preparation with exceptional client care.’ Legal 500 2023 (Fraud)
“He is extremely good in court – a charismatic advocate.” Chambers and Partners 2022 (Financial Crime)
“Easy to work with, forceful and charismatic. He is very good with juries.” Chambers and Partners 2021 (Financial Crime)
“A really excellent, hard-nosed brief with a very instinctive sense of the right strategic moves.” Chambers and Partners 2020 (Financial Crime)
“He’s an incredibly good advocate and he builds a very good rapport with clients and solicitors.” Chambers and Partners 2020 (Financial Crime)
“An advocate with an unperturbed manner but a steely resolve.” Legal 500 2020 (Fraud)
R v PL & Ors (2024) - £54m Money-Laundering Conspiracy
R v Haden and others [2024] EWCA Crim 344- Special Court to consider conjoined appeals re refusals to extend the period of postponement for confiscation.
R v SZ & Ors (2023) - Cheat on the Revenue and associated money-laundering offences.
SFO v NW & Ors (2022-3) - company director charged with bribery and money laundering offences by the SFO.
R v AS & Ors (2022) - 12-handed money laundering operation.
R v AH & Ors (2022) - Investment fraud boiler room fraud.
R v MJ & Ors (2021) - 20 handed Conspiracy to Defraud the Civil Aviation Authority.
R v LC & Ors (2021) - 13 handed multi-million pound MTIC fraud.
R v MdP & Ors (2021) - Private prosecution of Italian nationals brought by the American clothing brand Supreme for trademark infringements in Europe and China.
R v Byrne [2021] EWCA Crime 107 - Represented two former company directors in the joined appeal relating to the discredited carbon credit expert.
R v GS (2019) - Money laundering of funds from a £3m nationwide banking fraud.
R v MS & Ors (2018) - 13 handed MTIC fraud alleged to have caused a loss to HMRC in excess of £20m.
R v EE (2018) - US and UK investigation into hacking of US employee pension scheme.
R v Pabon [2018] EWCA Crim 420 - Appeal for a Barclays trader who had been convicted of Libor rigging.
R v SH & Ors (2016-17) - Defending a company director in a series of 3 high value fraud trials involving allegations of investment fraud, fraudulent trading and defrauding Natwest bank.
R v MB & Ors (2017) - Private prosecution alleging Fraudulent Trading and Theft.
Crime
“He has the personality and the wit to deal with any client. He tailors his approach to specifically meet the individual client’s needs.” Chambers and Partners 2023 (Crime)
“Judges are often persuaded by his no-nonsense approach to legal arguments.” Chambers and Partners 2023 (Crime)
‘In court, Nick never fails to read the situation perfectly, always knowing the best approach to achieve the best outcome.’ Legal 500 2023 (Crime)
“Nick is an intelligent and pragmatic lawyer.” Chambers and Partners 2021 (Crime)
“Passionate about his clients’ cases, he will fight hard and make himself available to discuss matters at a moment’s notice. He has an excellent manner with clients in what can be extremely emotional circumstances.” Chambers and Partners 2021 (Crime)
“He has an engaging personality and excellent rapport with lay and professional clients.” Legal 500 2020 (Crime)
R v KK & Ors (2021) - Multi-handed Class A Drugs Conspiracies each operated using Encrochat devices.
R v MA & Ors (2021) - Complex firearms trial.
R v RK & Ors (2021) - Conspiracy to import a significant volume of cannabis.
R v SD & Ors (2019) - Conspiracy to Supply Heroin.
R v JN & Ors (2018) - Multi-handed conspiracy to commit aggravated burglaries at mobile phone shops.
R v JB (2018) - Murder trial involving the deliberate targeting of the victim by a gang.
R v AA - Represented a 16-year-old boy with ADHD accused of murdering his friend over an argument on snapchat.
R v EE & Ors - Three-handed murder trial involved a knife fight between four men which was captured on film and witnessed by numerous members of the public.