Nicholas Clarke

Also works at BANK HOUSE CHAMBERS in Sheffield. Criminal team. Mr Clarke has spent 22 years at the Manchester Bar and has extensive experience across the whole criminal spectrum. ‘Chambers’ Guide to the Legal Profession’ says he is a ‘leading junior’ and ‘The Legal 500’ describe him as ‘highly-experienced’ with ‘articulate expertise in cases with complex medical or psychiatric elements’; acquired a reputation defending and prosecuting cases of homicide, large-scale drug importation and sexual and physical abuse of children; particular interest in cases with a medical or psychiatric background and has extensive experience of cross-examining expert witnesses including pathologists, psychiatrists, neuroradiologists and paediatric specialists in various disciplines. Recently, he defended a consultant orthopaedic surgeon charged with a large number of historic offences of indecent assault on patients. Mr Clarke defended in the first trial in this country in which the Crown relied solely on earprints to identify the defendant during which he cross-examined an expert from Holland in earprint identification; conducted two cases involving palynological evidence as a geographical signature (by pollen and spores). As a senior criminal practitioner he has appeared as leading junior counsel in complex cases and has co-defended with and been led in prosecutions by Queen’s Counsel, when he has been instructed alone; defended in the largest mortgage fraud prosecution on the Northern Circuit and has dealt with confiscation proceedings under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and the Drug Trafficking Act 1994. Mr Clarke appeared on BBC’s Panorama in relation to the disclosure provisions of the CPIA 1995; embraced new technology to assist in research, for which he regularly uses electronic databases and the internet; prepared to accept instructions and case papers via email; efficient professional who remains aware of his pastoral role and the need to communicate with and retain the confidence of the lay client; trainer for the Middle Temple in advocacy and is a pupil supervisor; drafted and instigated Chambers’ ‘Service Standard for Defence Solicitors’; provides a fast and efficient service from the delivery of the brief until the case’s conclusion.

University of Sheffield (LLB Hons).