Benjamin Nicholls

Practice details

A former member of Number 1 Fountain Court, joined Citadel Chambers in 2007.  Has 30 years experience at the criminal Bar, both prosecuting and defending, and has appeared in cases of murder / manslaughter, rape, sexual offences against children, serious violence and public disorder, and drugs.

Recently acted as junior Counsel in a 'shaken baby' manslaughter, a case which involved complex patho-neurological issues,  and in another case represented a defendant charged in a large-scale conspiracy to supply cannabis (defendant acquitted).

Has a particular interest in fraud cases and has appeared as a Leading Junior in trials involving V.A.T. fraud and procurement fraud against the M.o.D.

A specialist in environmental crime, in particular water pollution, he has appeared regularly on behalf of Severn Trent Water Limited to prosecute businesses responsible for polluting discharges of trade effluent, and has also advised Thames Water on enforcement and prosecution strategy.

Continuing professional development

In the Citadel lecture series, has lectured on Criminal Procedure.