Nate Lara
Year of Call: 2024
Solicitor: 2020
Email Address: [email protected]
CJSM: [email protected]
Telephone: 01202 292102
Clerk Details
- Clerk Name: Ellie Bloomfield
- Clerk Telephone: Practice Manager
- Clerk Email: [email protected]
Overview
Nate Lara is a criminal law barrister and member of the Crime Group at 3 Paper Buildings (3PB) and accepts instructions nationally. Nate is based from 3PB's Bournemouth office, and primarily works in the Western Circuit.
Nate came to 3PB with five years’ experience as a specialised criminal law Solicitor-Advocate in Australia. Nate moved to the UK and completed a reduced six-month specialist criminal pupillage, as a transferring lawyer, with a well-known and highly regarded criminal chambers in London, before joining 3PB in March 2025.
Since joining 3PB, Nate appears everyday in the Crown Court, and has had significant success in both prosecution and defence work, across all areas of criminal law, including: violence, domestic abuse, sexual offences, property and drug offences, road traffic offences and fraud.
In Australia, Nate started his career in the prestigious graduate scheme at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in New South Wales (NSW), where he prosecuted serious criminal cases. After a successful period at the ODPP, Nate decided to gain experience as a criminal defence advocate across NSW.
Nate also acted as a Senior Public Servant in the Compliance, Investigation and Regulatory team at the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care. This saw him conducting investigations and acting as a decision maker on systematic, compliance and criminal breaches in the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the Aged Care System.
Outside of work, Nate is an experienced football referee and loves all aspects of the game. Nate can be found with his two border collies, Finch and Scout, on any number of the beautiful beaches around Bournemouth.
Motoring offences
Ongoing UK cases
R v MR (Bournemouth Crown Court): Prosecuting, careless driving causing serious injury – defence based on expert evidence.
R v AH (Bournemouth Crown Court): Defending, driving licence fraud – defence of knowledge and intent.
Recent UK cases
R v SG (2026, Portsmouth Crown Court): Prosecuting, after guilty plea, secured a custodial sentence for an offender who was repeatedly pursued by Police, resulting in a serious collision with a parked vehicle.
R v RC (2025, Portsmouth Crown Court): Prosecuting, conviction of careless driving causing serious injury, after a taxi driver collided with an oncoming Ambulance.
R v BG (2025, Weymouth Magistrates’ Court): Defending, successfully argued for the court to apply the minimum points, rather than a disqualification – allowing a professional driver to maintain his driving licence.
R v NM (2024, Brighton Magistrates’ Court): Prosecuting, conviction of a drug driver who collided with a house and then absconded from the scene and was arrested months later.
Australian cases
Police v LS (2024, NSW Local Court): Successfully argued that a client charged with high-range drink driving and negligent driving, should avoid a term of imprisonment despite a Guideline Judgment allowing community sentences in only the most extremely mitigated cases. Less than 5% of similar cases avoid full-time imprisonment.
LL v DPP (2023, NSW District Court – Appeal Division): Successfully referred (case stated) an appeal from the Local Court on the disqualification of a driver, based on an argument of the exception at law of ‘serious impact on society’, as the appellant was a crisis support worker for Indigenous people in regional areas, and her ability to drive was essential to her profession.
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Recommendations “Mr Lara's advocacy was of a high quality throughout the week. He made focussed and persuasive submissions in respect of a bad character application. He exercised good judgement in limiting the scope of this application more narrowly than the written application which the Crown had submitted. I was impressed by his cross-examination of the defendant. It was clearly well-prepared. Thought had evidently been given to the structure. He was effective at undermining the defendant's evidence, highlighting the strengths of the prosecution case and he ensured that his case was properly put to the defendant. Mr Lara's closing submissions were delivered with confidence and again it was evident that he was well-prepared.” Judge, Wood Green CC, 2025
"I had the opportunity to sit in on this trial and see Nate’s detailed preparation and skilful handling of the trial in practice. He made a concerted effort to visit the client in his cells at every opportunity, reassure him, and ensure that his instructions were clear. This approach was critical in helping the client maintain composure and remain robust when giving evidence." Instructing paralegal, Magistrates' C, 2025
“Your ability to challenge the defence robustly while maintaining fairness and integrity was truly impressive. You ensured that the case was presented in the strongest possible manner, leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice. The victims and their families could not have asked for a more determined and articulate voice in court, and I have no doubt that your efforts provided them with a sense of reassurance and confidence in the legal process.” Police Officer, Wood Green CC, 2025
“Throughout, he was polite and professional. His advocacy was clear and effective. Had he not signed his sentencing note, "Pupil Barrister", I would not have known he was a pupil.” Opposing Counsel, Snaresbrook CC, 2025
“Nate’s professional standards have been high. Nate’s personal values and standards are also high. Nate brings the above standards with him from his practice in Australia” Pupil Supervisor, 2025
“Working with Nate Lara was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. His attention to detail and reassuring demeanour throughout the entire legal process made all the difference during what was undoubtedly a stressful time for me. Nate delivered nothing short of victory in the courtroom. I am incredibly grateful for his expertise, dedication, and ultimately, for securing a favourable outcome.” Lay Client, Police v SO, 2024
“Nate Lara has helped and given me the most ideal outcome. It saved me my future employment and also ensure the whole legal process as smooth and stress free as possible.” Lay Client, R v NM, 2024
“I was told by multiple lawyers that the chances of achieving a good outcome was at most 10% and I was honestly not very hopeful. However, Nate did it. He got me the best outcome possible, which has made a deep and positive impact on my life. Thank you very much Nate.” Lay Client, R v JL, 2023
“Could not be happier with the results I received with the assistance of Nate Lara. He is very thorough and wants to achieve the best outcome possible. Highly recommend to anyone who is in an unfortunate event.” Lay Client, Police v ST, 2023
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3PB criminal law barrister Nate Lara (pictured here) has been successful in the Court of Appeal, arguing that the original sentence imposed in the Crown Court was manifestly excessive and wrong in principle. The defendant received a sentence of imprisonment of 30 months. Nate argued that despite the aggravating features the sentence was excessive, going outside the range in the relevant sentencing guidelines, without sufficient justification for doing so. Nate also argued that the court...
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3PB Barristers' (3 Paper Buildings) criminal barrister Nate Lara (pictured here) has successfully secured an acquittal for his client in relation to a bomb hoax in a case heard at Swindon Crown Court. JM was charged with causing a bomb hoax at the Badbury Park Primary School in Swindon. Notably, JM accepted making the call to the school but denied making a bomb threat. In cross-examination, Nate questioned the receiver of the call, an administrator...
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3PB Barristers' (3 Paper Buildings) crime barrister Nate Lara has successfully secured an acquittal for his client in relation to a serious sexual offence. SB was charged with a public sexual assault in a pub, where two eyewitnesses and a complaint witness gave evidence before a jury. Nate was able to undermine each of the witnesses and ensure that a solid defence of denial was put before the jury. Following a three-day trial at Winchester...
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