Skip to main content

Nick Brett

Partner

Criminal law and professional disciplinary

Nick is a founding partner of the firm. His expertise is in criminal litigation and regulatory / disciplinary investigations and prosecutions. He is particularly noted for his work in defending professionals in disciplinary processes and regulatory investigations. Nick successfully defended Ryan Beckwith in the landmark decision following the prominent SRA prosecution (Beckwith v Solicitors Regulation Authority [2020] EWHC 3231). Nick has successfully defended numerous allegations of rape, sexual harassment and other offences both current and historic.

Nick and his team have successfully intervened in numerous criminal investigations and prosecutions.  They recently won the 750th referral by the CCRC to the Court of Appeal.  Nick’s recent portfolio of major fraud cases is substantial and includes the first ever FCA prosecution and the largest ever crypto-currency fraud. He advises corporates and individuals in bribery and corruption investigations and FSMA related issues. Nick has successfully advised upon and defended numerous Proceeds of Crime Act cases both at first instance and on appeal. He is a frequent commentator on radio and contributor to legal resource outlets and journals.

If you would like to contact Nick directly, please send him an email.


Notable cases include:

  • SRA v XF (2023) – SRA investigation into solicitor discontinued
  • R v XH (2022) – rape investigation against former US senator discontinued
  • Metropolitan Police v FT FZE (2022) – Application for Account Forfeiture Order settled
  • BSB v XC (2021) – BSB investigation into alleged sexual harassment dismissed
  • The Dyson Investigation (2021) – acted for former BBC executive in investigation into Martin Bashir interview of Princess Diana
  • Mohammed v R [2021] EWCA 201 – convictions for sexual assault quashed in CCRC’s 750th case
  • GDC v KG (2021) – High Court proceedings brought by GDC
  • Beckwith v SRA [2020] EWHC 3231 – successful defence of disciplinary prosecution
  • Metropolitan Police v M (2020) – AFOs under TA 2000 and POCA 2002 discharged
  • CISI v ABC (2020) – CISI disciplinary tribunal proceedings
  • ARB v JDSC (2020) – Architect Registration Board disciplinary proceedings
  • SRA v AA/AH (2020) – SRA investigation in Saudi Arabia
  • R v RJ (2020) – police investigation into Nursery owner discontinued
  • GMC v TA (2019) – GMC investigation successfully concluded without disciplinary proceedings
  • R v SA (2019) – £2.7m fraud on employer in civil and criminal jurisdictions
  • S (2019) – internal corporate bribery investigation
  • FCA v G (2018) – FCA investigation alleging breaches of general prohibition
  • R v K (2018) – largest ever cryptocurrency prosecution
  • A v H (2018) – High court claim in gangmaster litigation
  • R v E (2018) – fraud on the Montessori charity
  • BPL v M (2018) – £20m High Court enforcement action
  • SFO v FXB Ltd (2018) – dual corruption prosecution
  • R v W (2018) – Fraud by abuse of position against freeholder
  • SFO v IKS (2018) – SFO Claim for civil recovery order
  • F v F (2017) – High Court Freezing Order litigation
  • DWP v N (2016) – largest ever DWP prosecution for fraud
  • GDC v R (2015) – successful defence of disciplinary proceedings brought by GDC
  • R v S (2015) – fraud allegations from failed property investment scheme stayed for abuse of process.
  • Sanam v National Crime Agency [2015] EWCA 1234 – Acted for appellant in case where Court of Appeal decided that civil recovery orders subject to ECHR A1P1 proportionality principle
  • SFO v R (2015) – asserting third party interest in assets subject to confiscation
  • R v M (2015) – acted for lead defendant in £8m fraud against Barclays: “peanut tycoon” fraud case
  • R v C (2015) – acting for lead defendant in ‘Operation Cotton’ case. First ever prosecution by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
  • R v P (2015) – successful defence in conspiracy to import and supply cocaine

Accreditations