Nicholas Hearn
Year of Call:
Specialist practice areas: Serious Crime, Criminal/Civil Fraud, Serious Sexual Offences, Regulation/Compliance, Extradition, Asset Forfeiture, Health & Safety, Immigration, Inquests & Public Inquiries
Email: nhearn@furnivallaw.co.uk
General Crime
Nicholas is regularly instructed in both Crown Courts and Magistrates’ Courts in all areas of criminal proceedings including offences of violence, dishonesty, drugs, sexual offences and road traffic offences. He has defended successfully in numerous trials both before a jury in the Crown Court and lay benches and District Judges in the Magistrates' Court.
Nicholas is frequently instructed to represent juvenile defendants in the Magistrates’ Court accused of offences including Affray, Arson, ABH, GBH and sexual offences.
Nicholas has also appeared as a led junior in trials arising out of allegations of Murder, Drug Trafficking and Sexual Abuse.
Highlights have included:
R v Hoyte - Led by Sonia Woodley QC in a six week trial at Inner London Crown Court arising out of allegations of sexual abuse against a youth worker by nine different complainants.
R v BM & Ors – Successfully defended a mother and two sons in relation to charges of Assault PC arising out of a s.18 search warrant of their family home. Nicholas received a commendation for his handling of the case by the District Judge in his written judgment acquitting all three defendants of all charges.
R v KE – Successfully represented 15 year old defendant in a three day Newton Hearing where the defendant had been charged with a knife point robbery. After a contested hearing the defendant’s basis of plea was accepted and the client avoided a custodial sentence.
Extradition
Nicholas is regularly instructed by both privately and publicly funded solicitors acting for individuals facing extradition proceedings at the City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Nicholas has acted for individuals whose extradition has been sought in relation to offences as varied as Murder, People Trafficking, Drug Importation and Corruption of Public Officials.
Nicholas is available to provide advocacy and advice in extradition proceedings from the Initial Hearing right through to appeal proceedings in the High Court.
In Lithuania v RS Nicholas successfully argued that extradition proceedings should be adjourned due to the defendant’s physical and mental condition.
Immigration
Nicholas is regularly instructed to represent detained individuals at hearings before Immigration and Asylum Tribunals throughout the United Kingdom.
Other
Before his call to the Bar, Nicholas worked for white collar law firm Kinglsey Napley where he assisted in the management and review of disclosure for the second defendant in a four month trial at Southwark Crown Court, arising out of the collapse of the "Independent Insurance Company" with a loss in the region of 1 billion (R v Bright & Others).
In 2005 Nicholas completed an internship at the Gulf Region Advocacy Centre (GRACE) in Houston, Texas. GRACE provides free legal representation to indigent individuals on death row in Texas. During his internship Nicholas liaised between office based lawyers and inmates on death row and assisted with research and investigation in support of appeals against the imposition of the death penalty.
Professional Memberships
Criminal Bar Association
Young Fraud Lawyers Association
Extradition Lawyers Association
Reprieve