Nick Robinson BW scaled e1741277627459

Nick Robinson

Year of Call: 2006
Email Address: [email protected]
CJSM: [email protected]
Telephone: 01202 292 102

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Clerk Details

  • Clerk Name: Stuart Pringle
  • Clerk Telephone: 0330 332 2633
  • Clerk Email: [email protected]

Crime and Regulatory Crime

Private Client Defence: Criminal Allegations in Family & Domestic Proceedings

Nick has particular experience defending private clients — professionals, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals — facing criminal charges arising from the breakdown of a marriage or relationship, where proceedings run in parallel with the Family Court. A recurring feature of this work is one-sided police investigation, prosecution failure to obtain and disclose material from third-party agencies, and criminal charges deployed to gain tactical advantage in ancillary proceedings. Nick has a proven track record of exploiting these failures through targeted disclosure applications and abuse of process arguments. His Direct Access and accredited litigator status means he can be instructed immediately, without a solicitor, to assemble the complete defence team from the outset.

Selected Cases

R v TW — (2025) Assault ABH charge brought by a former partner during contested family proceedings. Nick prepared an abuse of process argument; the Recorder refused the prosecution's adjournment application and listed it for the first day of trial. The prosecution offered no evidence. Formal not guilty verdict entered.

R v DH — (2024) Four charges arising from the breakdown of the defendant's marriage: ABH, two assaults, and coercive and controlling behaviour. Nick secured the prosecution offering no evidence on the two most serious counts; the defendant — a professional of effective good character and the family's sole breadwinner — received a community order. At sentencing, the Recorder imposed a wide-ranging restraining order without formal application or notice, notwithstanding active Family Court proceedings. On appeal, Stuart-Smith LJ, Stacey J and HHJ Conrad KC quashed the order as wrong in principle and recorded the Court's gratitude for the high quality of Nick's written submissions. Reported: [2024] EWCA Crim 1003.

R v TT — (2022) Instructed on a direct access basis at the point of arrest on suspicion of attempted murder arising from the breakdown of a marriage. Early proactive representations to the police and Crown Prosecution Service secured successive reductions in the alleged offence — from attempted murder to ABH, and ultimately to common assault. A defence statement was served and targeted disclosure obtained, producing evidence that shaped the resolution of the case on a favourable basis. A custodial sentence was avoided. A compelling illustration of the value of retaining specialist counsel at the earliest possible stage.

  • Recommendations

    • Court of Appeal

      In an appeal against sentence R v Sherriff [2012] EWCA Crim 2381, Lord Justice Aikens said:

      "Mr Robinson presented the arguments very concisely, clearly and persuasively."

      In an appeal against sentence R v Kluver [2010] EWCA Crim 3237, Lord Justice Moses said:

      "There is ample authority for the proposition that counsel for the defence has so skilfully identified both in his written grounds and in his oral submissions, and we are indebted to Mr Robinson for them."

      In an appeal against sentence R v Bennett [2010] EWCA Crim 1032, Mr Justice Davis said:

      "Mr Robinson, on behalf of the Appellant, has put the case very well."

      In an appeal against sentence R v Woodcock [2011] EWCA Crim 1347, Mr Justice Blair said:

      "Mr Robinson has argued the case well for the applicant."

      In an appeal against conviction R v Knight [2013] EWCA Crim 2486, Mr Justice Fulford said the written submissions were:

      "Detailed and able."

      In an appeal against sentence R v Simpson [2022] EWCA Crim 201, His Honour Judge Griffiths-Jones QC commended Nick's:

      "good judgment."

      In an appeal against sentence R v DH [2024] EWCA Crim 1003, Lord Justice Stuart-Smith said:

      "The Court is grateful to Mr Robinson for the high quality of his written submissions."

    • Chambers & Partners — Western Bar (Crime)
      Chambers UK 2026 / Crime — Western Bar > “Nicholas is a dynamic barrister. He is calm, sympathetic and gives a huge amount of effort to every case. He is a strong and persuasive advocate with an eye for persuasive arguments.”

      Chambers UK 2025 / Crime — Western Bar > “He has a great practice.” > “He is a smooth advocate who has a great way of speaking to the jury.”

      Chambers UK 2024 / Crime — Western Bar > “He is highly effective and highly skilled in all aspects of criminal defence work.” > “Clients love Nicholas. He’s a very good lawyer and a persuasive advocate.” > “Nicholas handled the cross-examination deftly but devastatingly. His ability to juggle disclosure requests, client management and legal arguments is remarkable.”

      Chambers UK 2023 / Crime — Western Bar > “He has a very client-centred approach.” > “His advocacy skills are impressive.” > “Nick is an industrious individual.”

      Chambers UK 2022 / Crime — Western Bar > “Has a very positive attitude and his written work is excellent.” > “He has an approach and flair which juries like.”

      Chambers UK 2021 / Crime — Western Bar > “He has a very good reputation and his written work is of the highest quality.”

      Chambers UK 2020 / Crime — Western Bar > “He is both responsive and proactive, and his advocacy skills are fantastic.”

      Chambers UK 2019 / Crime — Western Bar > “He is both responsive and proactive, and his advocacy skills are fantastic.”

    • Legal 500 — Western Circuit (Crime)
      Legal 500 2026 / Crime — Western Circuit > “Nick is a good barrister. He is always well-prepared and will fight his corner as required.”

      Legal 500 2025 / Crime — Western Circuit > “Nick is a committed, highly competent and effective criminal barrister. He is an effective trial advocate who gets good results, and his pleas in mitigation are always carefully constructed with great preparation.”

      Legal 500 2024 / Crime — Western Circuit > “Nick is diligent and always enthusiastic about his work. His written work is of the highest quality. He is also a very persuasive and effective advocate.”

      Legal 500 2023 / Crime — Western Circuit > “Nick is a top level operator. A first-class and fearless advocate with a very robust and incisive approach to criminal litigation. An exceptional strategist.”

      Legal 500 2022 / Crime — Western Circuit > “Nick’s strengths are his intelligence, his ability to fully engage with a jury and his thorough preparation.”

      Legal 500 2020–21 / Crime — Western Circuit > “A criminal defence specialist.”

      Legal 500 2018–19 / Crime — Western Circuit — Tier 1 > “An expert in defending in serious crime cases.”

      Legal 500 2017 / Crime — Western Circuit > “Self-assured and dedicated.”

      Legal 500 2016 / Crime — Western Circuit > “Extremely diligent in his approach to cases.”

      Legal 500 2015 / Crime — Western Circuit > “Known for his defence work in the Crown Court, and his practice has an emphasis on serious crime.”

      Legal 500 2014 / Crime — Western Circuit > “He specialises in sexual offence cases, particularly those involving children and historical allegations of misconduct.”

      Legal 500 2013 / Crime — Western Circuit > “A very confident and knowledgeable advocate.”

      Nick was also recommended by the Legal 500 for 2011 and 2012.

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