Described by The Times in 2005 as a "high-flyer" amongst newly appointed QC's, Nicholas has gone on to cement his reputation as a highly effective advocate. The majority of Nicholas' work is criminal-based and he specialises in prosecuting and defending complex and serious cases. The remainder of his workload is made up of a mix of high-value clinical negligence and personal injury cases together with disciplinary work. Nicholas also undertakes judicial review work.
Instructed by the Serious Fraud Office, CPS HQ, the DTI and leading defence firms, Nicholas' business crime practice has an emphasis on complex fraud, money laundering (including offshore transactions), cartel offences and corruption. In serious crime, he has significant experience prosecuting and defending in cases of terrorism, murder, manslaughter, violence, drug importation and supply and serious sexual offences. Prior to appointment to silk, Nicholas was shadow Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court.
On the civil side, Nicholas focuses on clinical negligence cases involving cerebral palsy and Erb's palsy together with claims related to educational negligence and personal injury.
Key cases
- Alleged "buy-to-let" fraud: currently instructed in SFO investigation into the activities of a property investment company which collapsed having attracted £100 million in investment
- R v Shahid Hussain (2007): prosecution of a murder involving the innovative use of hearsay evidence in a case of claimed self-defence
- Lynette White investigation: leading counsel to the ongoing investigation into the wrongful conviction of the "Cardiff 3" for the murder of Lynette White
- R v Byard (2006): prosecution of the murder, in 1982, of a three year old girl. Conviction based on new expert evidence
- R v Rahman-Alan (2005): led for the Crown in the prosecution of the Gatwick airport bomber
- R v Taylor (2005): the subject of a television documentary, dubbed the "biggest fraud in the world" - Nicholas secured the dismissal of all the charges faced by his lay client
- R v Brown (2004): SFO prosecution of the former chairman of Chesterfield Football Club for fraudulent trading - a fraud which led to the bankrupting of the club
- Operation Danum (1999-2003): Counsel to the "Donnygate" investigation which led to multiple prosecutions for corruption within a large public authority. Widely reported as the worst case of local government corruption since the Poulson scandal of the 1970s
Contact Nicholas Dean QC
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7242 3555
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7242 2511
Email: clerks@7br.co.uk