Nick James
Call
2002
Nick is a leading financial crime practitioner, ranked Band 1 in Chambers & Partners, and is instructed to act for directors and professional clients in complex cases with both civil and criminal aspects. Instructing Solicitors describe him as a formidable white collar fraud barrister who combines charismatic advocacy with tactical acumen and excellent client care. Recent cases include successfully defending in high-value SFO and HMRC prosecutions.
Nick has extensive experience in Proceeds of Crime matters including high court civil recovery and forfeiture proceedings concerning bank accounts, cash and crypto, where he is regularly instructed to act for third parties.
He is also instructed in commercial disputes concerning allegations of financial wrongdoing including fraud, contract, professional negligence and insolvency.
Reported cases include Pabon [2018] EWCA Crim 420 and Byrne and others [2021] EWCA 187, the two leading cases on expert evidence in complex fraud trials, and R v Haden and others [2024] EWCA Crim 344, consolidated Appeals on refusals to extend the period of postponement in confiscation proceedings and Mouncher & Ors v The Chief Constable of South Wales Police [2016] EWHC 1367 (QB) a claim for Misfeasance in Public Office on behalf of 8 claimants in what was the UK’s largest action against the Police at the time.
"An extremy intelligent and organised Junior."
"Faisal is Excellent. His written work is clear, he is very measured and he has very good legal analysis."
"An extremy intelligent and organised Junior."
"Faisal is Excellent. His written work is clear, he is very measured and he has very good legal analysis."
"An extremy intelligent and organised Junior."
"Faisal is Excellent. His written work is clear, he is very measured and he has very good legal analysis."
"An extremy intelligent and organised Junior."
"Faisal is Excellent. His written work is clear, he is very measured and he has very good legal analysis."
"An extremy intelligent and organised Junior."
"Faisal is Excellent. His written work is clear, he is very measured and he has very good legal analysis."
"An extremy intelligent and organised Junior."
"Faisal is Excellent. His written work is clear, he is very measured and he has very good legal analysis."
"An extremy intelligent and organised Junior."
"Faisal is Excellent. His written work is clear, he is very measured and he has very good legal analysis."
"An extremy intelligent and organised Junior."
"Faisal is Excellent. His written work is clear, he is very measured and he has very good legal analysis."
Nick James's Expertises
All
Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets
Insolvency
Regulatory & Disciplinary (Commercial)
Crime
Financial Crime
Fraud: Crime
POCA & Asset Recovery
View cases
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets
Nick acts for victims of a large-scale investment fraud in China who are seeking to assert their interest in £5bn cryptocurrency seized here with £3m subject to confiscation proceedings. The case features complex issues of constructive and rescission trusts. There are parallel proceedings in the High Court. The case has attracted media attention with some suggestion the Chancellor should use the cryptocurrency to plug the hole in public finances.
James Watt, then CEO of Brew Dog, brought a private prosecution against Nick’s client claiming she defrauded him and damaged his reputation. Watt successfully sued her in Scotland on the same facts. The case concerned an Instagram account which had been ‘trolling’ Mr Watt. The defendant was a former girlfriend of Watt and was paid £100k in Bitcoin to identify the account user. The prosecution used tripwire technology to link the IP addresses used by the account to the defendant. This was challenged. The case featured expert evidence in relation to cybercrime and cryptocurrency.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets
Nick acts for victims of a large-scale investment fraud in China who are seeking to assert their interest in £5bn cryptocurrency seized here with £3m subject to confiscation proceedings. The case features complex issues of constructive and rescission trusts. There are parallel proceedings in the High Court. The case has attracted media attention with some suggestion the Chancellor should use the cryptocurrency to plug the hole in public finances.
James Watt, then CEO of Brew Dog, brought a private prosecution against Nick’s client claiming she defrauded him and damaged his reputation. Watt successfully sued her in Scotland on the same facts. The case concerned an Instagram account which had been ‘trolling’ Mr Watt. The defendant was a former girlfriend of Watt and was paid £100k in Bitcoin to identify the account user. The prosecution used tripwire technology to link the IP addresses used by the account to the defendant. This was challenged. The case featured expert evidence in relation to cybercrime and cryptocurrency.
View cases
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Insolvency
Nick is instructed to act in commercial disputes concerning allegations of financial wrongdoing.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Insolvency
Nick is instructed to act in commercial disputes concerning allegations of financial wrongdoing.
View cases
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Regulatory & Disciplinary
Nick has experience of sports and regulatory matters.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Regulatory & Disciplinary
Nick has experience of sports and regulatory matters.
View cases
White Collar, Crime & Investigations
Crime
Nick has successfully defended in numerous long and complex serious crime cases, with particular experience in dealing with Encrochat, telephone and digital evidence.
Nick is ranked as a leading junior in the directories for crime.
White Collar, Crime & Investigations
Crime
Nick has successfully defended in numerous long and complex serious crime cases, with particular experience in dealing with Encrochat, telephone and digital evidence.
Nick is ranked as a leading junior in the directories for crime.
View cases
White Collar, Crime & Investigations
Financial Crime
Nick has an extensive financial crime practice, often representing those accused of bribery, fraud or money laundering.
White Collar, Crime & Investigations
Financial Crime
Nick has an extensive financial crime practice, often representing those accused of bribery, fraud or money laundering.
View cases
White Collar, Crime & Investigations
Fraud: Crime
Nick is a fraud practitioner, successfully defending in long and complex trials.
He is ranked as a leading junior in the legal directories for Fraud.
Nick is ranked as a leading junior in the legal directories for Fraud.
White Collar, Crime & Investigations
Fraud: Crime
Nick is a fraud practitioner, successfully defending in long and complex trials.
He is ranked as a leading junior in the legal directories for Fraud.
Nick is ranked as a leading junior in the legal directories for Fraud.
View cases
White Collar, Crime & Investigations
POCA & Asset Recovery
Nick is very experienced in all Proceeds of Crime matters with particular expertise in Part 5 civil recovery proceedings, having appeared successfully in numerous asset recovery, freezing and forfeiture proceedings whether they concern listed assets, accounts, cash or cryptocurrency.
White Collar, Crime & Investigations
POCA & Asset Recovery
Nick is very experienced in all Proceeds of Crime matters with particular expertise in Part 5 civil recovery proceedings, having appeared successfully in numerous asset recovery, freezing and forfeiture proceedings whether they concern listed assets, accounts, cash or cryptocurrency.
Similar Barristers
For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.
For enquiries please contact our clerks
“The clerks always go above and beyond to assist. They understand the needs of instructing solicitors, particularly in identifying suitable counsel for cases”
Chambers & Partners
“A friendly and integrated service. The clerks systems and client handling are excellent - with a can-do attitude, enabling easier planning on my side.”
Legal 500
For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.
For enquiries please contact our clerks
“The clerks always go above and beyond to assist. They understand the needs of instructing solicitors, particularly in identifying suitable counsel for cases”
Chambers & Partners
“A friendly and integrated service. The clerks systems and client handling are excellent - with a can-do attitude, enabling easier planning on my side.”
Legal 500
For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.
For enquiries please contact our clerks
“The clerks always go above and beyond to assist. They understand the needs of instructing solicitors, particularly in identifying suitable counsel for cases”
Chambers & Partners
“A friendly and integrated service. The clerks systems and client handling are excellent - with a can-do attitude, enabling easier planning on my side.”
Legal 500