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]

Homicide (Murder and Manslaughter)

Nick has extensive experience defending in murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, and causing death by driving, appearing as both sole advocate and led junior in complex multi-defendant trials lasting up to twelve weeks. He is regularly led by some of the most prominent King's Counsel on the Western Circuit in cases attracting significant national media coverage — including BBC News, Sky News, ITV, The Guardian, The Telegraph, and the Daily Mail.

Selected Cases

R v JB — (2026) Attempted murder — knife attack. Prosecution’s forensic linguistic expert evidence excluded. Not guilty of attempted murder despite a guilty plea to s.18 wounding. Reported: Dorset Echo.

R v X (youth) — Winchester Crown Court (2025) Murder (joint enterprise) — 28-day trial before Mr Justice Linden; led by Zafar Ali KC (23 Essex Street). Four defendants stood trial arising from two linked incidents involving e-bikes being deliberately rammed by vehicles as part of an ongoing feud. Nick’s client, a youth, was alleged to have been accessories to murder in the first incident. Nick drafted and made all legal arguments, secured exclusion of bad character evidence, and made the submission of no-case to answer. The defendant did not give evidence, and the jury acquitted him of both murder and manslaughter after 33 hours of deliberation. Reported: BBC News, Daily Mail, ITV News.

R v Edward Jones — Winchester Crown Court (2024) Assisting an offender and fraud linked to a murder investigation; twelve-week trial led by Zafar Ali KC. Previous consistent statement successfully admitted under a hearsay exception. Unanimous not guilty on all counts. Reported: Daily Mail, Andover Advertiser.

R v Atiqullah Oryakhail — Bournemouth Crown Court (2024) Attempted murder; defendant aged 17, trafficked from Afghanistan, diagnosed with PTSD. Confession obtained under caution in Vienna challenged and excluded. Not guilty of attempted murder by judicial direction. Reported: Daily Mail, Daily Echo.

R v Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai — Salisbury Crown Court (2024) Murder — led by Jo Martin KC; thousands of pages of evidence, including social services records, and material from criminal and civil proceedings in Italy, Norway, and Serbia. Bad character evidence relating to a previous double murder conviction in Serbia. Reported: BBC News, ITV, Sky News, The Guardian, Daily Mail, The Telegraph.

R v Benjamin Atkins — Winchester Crown Court (2024) Murder — two-handed trial before Mrs Justice Stacey; led by Zafar Ali KC. Non-defendant bad character evidence admitted regarding the deceased’s drug dealing and violence. Convicted by majority after 33 hours of deliberation. Reported: BBC News, Sky News. Prosecution sought 30+ years; 19 years imposed on basis Court accepted defence submissions Atkins acted in excessive self-defence (sentencing remarks); AG Reference increased by only 2 years: Atkins & another [2024] EWCA Crim 1316. Reported: BBC News.

R v Jack Hindley — Winchester Crown Court (2022) Murder of a vulnerable adult. Two youth defendants alleged to have carried out a ritualistic knife attack; led by Kate Lumsdon KC. Successful applications to admit co-defendant’s bad character, and to exclude purported confession evidence. Four-week trial before Mr Justice Sweeney. Reported: BBC News, ITV.

R v Kieran Cameron — Winchester Crown Court (2015) Attempted murder. The defendant was alleged to have knocked on the door of a drug dealer's home and fired a revolver twice. The complainant instantly telephoned police and named the defendant, who was known to him. The evidence included gunshot residue, cell site, ANPR, over 100 hours of CCTV, and bad character evidence relating to both the defendant's and complainant's membership of organised crime gangs. A novel point of law arose regarding the admissibility of hearsay evidence from three eyewitnesses who refused to attend court; their comments to police at the scene suggested someone other than the defendant was the assassin. Unanimous acquittal. Led by Nigel Lickley KC. Reported: Daily Echo.

R v Teresa Sheldon — Winchester Crown Court (2015) Murder and attempted murder. The defendant killed one of her two children and severely injured the second in a suicide attempt by fire. Complex psychiatric evidence; periods of assessment under section 35 of the Mental Health Act 1983. The Crown accepted pleas to manslaughter and arson on the basis of diminished responsibility. At sentence, Mr Justice Dingemans heard victim impact evidence from the children's father in open court and resolved the discrete issue of whether to impose a sentence of imprisonment or a hospital order. Careful submissions were advanced in support of an order without restrictions, which was the sentence passed. Led by Nigel Lickley KC. Reported: BBC News.

R v Nicholas Price — Winchester Crown Court (2015) Murder and attempted murder — three-week trial. Loss of control and self-defence in a cuckooing context involving gangland violence and firearms. Led by Nigel Lickley KC. Reported: BBC News.

R v Jason Darby — Winchester Crown Court (2015) Attempted murder. Psychotic episode whilst listening to the Archers; multiple stab wounds to skull, head, and face. Crown accepted a guilty plea to s.18 GBH with intent - following service of psychiatric evidence. Reported: Daily Express and Daily Echo.

R v Nathan Robinson — Winchester Crown Court (2014) Murder. The Crown's case was that the victim was murdered for his money. The defence case was that the defendant, who had a long and complex history of mental ill-health arising from childhood trauma, denied murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility and loss of control. There was significant competing psychiatric evidence. The novel issue in the case was whether the jury were entitled, in the absence of direct evidence, to infer a loss of self-control. Led by Michael Vere-Hodge QC. Reported: BBC News.

R v Melling Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) [2014] EWCA Crim 742 — Appeal against murder conviction, Liverpool Crown Court. Reported: BBC News.

  • Recommendations

    • Chambers & Partners Rankings (2019–2026)
      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 Rankings (2011–2026)
      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.

    • Judicial Commendations
      Court of Appeal

      R v Hitchings [2024] EWCA Crim 1003 — Stuart-Smith LJ, Stacey J, HHJ Conrad KC: “The Court is grateful to Mr Robinson… for the high quality of his written submissions.”

      R v Sherriff [2012] EWCA Crim 2381 — Lord Justice Aikens: “Mr Robinson presented the arguments very concisely, clearly and persuasively.”

      R v Kluver [2010] EWCA Crim 3237 — Lord Justice Moses: “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.”

      R v Bennett [2010] EWCA Crim 1032 — Mr Justice Davis: “Mr Robinson, on behalf of the Appellant, has put the case very well.”

      R v Woodcock [2011] EWCA Crim 1347 — Mr Justice Blair: “It is submitted by Mr Robinson, who has argued this case well for the applicant, that this is excessive.”

      R v Knight [2013] EWCA Crim 2486 — Fulford J: > “detailed and able”

      Crown Court

      Mr Recorder Don Tait, following the acquittal of his client (R v RC — Crown Court, 2016), in open court: “Mr Robinson you did an excellent job defending this man. You very skillfully revealed all of the inadequacies in this investigation”.

    • Instructing Solicitor Testimonials
      “Truly grateful for your proactive case management, first class professionalism and dedication.”

      “This was a difficult case in one sense and your efforts and assistance went beyond the call of duty. I very much appreciate it.”

      “Please accept my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all your incredible and excellent hard work on this firm’s cases and for always doing over and above what is required in every matter that you deal with. Not only that, well done on all of your outstanding results and faultless client care!”

      “Thank you Nick, I am very grateful for your assistance. Your professionalism and support is unbelievable.”

      “Fine work. Very fine work indeed. That was mission impossible. I am genuinely very impressed with that result.”

    • Lay Client (defendant’s father)

      "I had the pleasure of watching Nick during the trial and cannot praise sufficiently the way he handled the case. He was the perfect professional and we all felt our case couldn't have been in better or more capable hands. As the day progressed it looked increasingly certain that a custodial sentence would follow, and the judge intimated as much. However, Nick's response was totally stunning. He spoke calmly, quietly, slowly but with an air of total credibility — and when the judge interjected, he gently responded with additional information. He retained sufficient material to respond to each of the judge's concerns. If it had been a dramatic performance there would have been applause at the end. He is a real credit to his profession."

      Lay Client

      "I write to you to express my sincere gratitude about a member of your Chambers Mr Robinson who defended me at trial … The case required complete concentration and an eye for detail. This worried me as being on legal aid I thought I might not receive the same service as a client paying privately. This wasn’t the case at all and in fact the complete opposite. Mr Robinson genuinely cared about his client and even spent time to reassure my co-defendant … During the trial Mr Robinson’s charisma was a breath of fresh air; he kept the Jury on their toes and concentrated throughout and also he was very calming during the breaks when tensions were high. Finally Mr Robinson’s closing speech was mesmerising and got across every possible point I could think of and more. I knew after his speech there was no way I would be convicted. I feel in debt to this man and feel that the literature in my email doesn’t allow me to explain my true gratitude."

      Lay Client

      “Just wanted to express my thanks, for the confident, reassuring and supportive way that Mr Robinson has handled my case. At short notice he has been able to defend me to his confident best.  His caring and clear way in which he dealt with me and my family and friends was top notch”.

      Lay Client (Direct Access)

      "Nick - I'm eternally indebted to you and will never be able to thank you enough for today's outcome … thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done for me. You've given me my life back”.

      Lay client’s grandparent

      "I would also like to say a specific thank you for bringing Nicholas Robinson in as L's barrister. L felt very comfortable talking to Nick, and Nick, in turn, put L at ease. The relationship barristers have with their client, the trust and confidence in the barrister's ability is paramount, and we certainly had that with Nick. I think it also proved that a barristers relationship with his counterparts on the other side is also important and in our case this definitely proved to be significant”.

      Lay Client (defendant’s mother)

      “Your preparation was meticulous, your manner was calm under pressure, and your advocacy was outstanding… You also showed such patience and understanding with [our son]. He has a lot of difficulty, and you never let that become an obstacle. You took the time to explain things clearly to him and treated him with real respect, which meant the world to us as a family.”

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