Family Law

Public Law Children - Nicholas is regularly instructed in complex care proceedings. He has a particular interest in cases involving disputed medical evidence (including suspicious death, factitious and induced illness, shaking and sexual abuse), jurisdictional and international issues, cultural/religious issues, human rights issues, and interfaces between the Family Court and the Court of Protection.

Private Law Children - Nicholas represents family members across the spectrum of private law disputes and has a particular interest in relocation cases.

Medical Treatment and ‘End of Life’ - Nicholas provides advice and representation, often at short notice, for NHS Trusts, local authorities and family members where the treatment plan for a child or vulnerable adult is in dispute.

Forced Marriage - Nicholas provides advice and representation, again often at short notice, for local authorities and family members in cases involving alleged forced marriage.

Matrimonial Finance - Nicholas has a particular interest in cases involving high net worth and/or hidden assets.

Safeguarding and Policy - Nicholas is regularly instructed by local authorities and other public authorities to advise on safeguarding and policy issues in connection with the discharge of responsibilities towards children and vulnerable adults. Recent instructions have involved serious case reviews, safeguarding adult reviews and financial support for family carers.

Court of Protection 

Court of Protection - Nicholas represents vulnerable adults (by litigation friends including the Official Solicitor), local authorities and family members. He has a particular interest in cases where the Court of Protection jurisdiction overlaps with the care or forced marriage jurisdictions. In September 2015, Nicholas chaired the Court of Protection Practitioners Association (CoPPA) annual national conference in Leeds.

APPOINTMENTS Queen's Counsel 2015 Authorised to sit as a Judge of the High Court under s.9(1) Senior Courts Act 1981 (2019) Family Court Recorder 2016 Bar Standards Board Professional Conduct Committee 2014 MEMBERSHIPS Family Law Bar Association North Eastern Circuit LECTURES & SEMINARS

Nicholas regularly gives seminars for lawyers and safeguarding professionals. Recent topics have included ‘Re W and Nothing Else Will Do', ‘Jurisdiction Issues in Public Law, Private Law and Financial Remedy Cases', ‘The Perils of Social Media in Family Cases’, ‘Concurrent Care and Court of Protection Proceedings’ and 'The Care Act 2014 - Welfare and Safeguarding'.

EDUCATION 1992 University College London, LLB (Hons) 1993 Inns of Court School of Law ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Born and educated in Newcastle, Nicholas moved to London to read law and attend Bar School. He undertook pupillage and practised in specialist family law chambers in London before moving back to Newcastle in 1996 to join Trinity Chambers. Nicholas was the elected Head of Trinity Chambers' Family Group between 2009 and 2020.

St Cuthberts’ High School, Newcastle; University College, London (1992 LLB Hons).