Nichola Cafferkey

  • Year of Call 1998

Introduction

Nichola is an accomplished and impressive defence specialist with 25 years experience.  She is approachable, committed and fearless.   Her preparation and case management are meticulous. She is a natural team leader.

Nichola is in demand as a leading junior and has headed defences involving allegations of Murder, serious and organised crime, technical crime involving mobile phone technology including “Encro” cases, firearms offences at the highest level and cases with an international element.  She is also known for her sensitive handling of cases involving sexual offences and is regularly instructed on a ‘private’ basis in such matters.  Her client care is second to none.  She is a natural jury advocate with an impressive courtroom presence.  Lay and professional clients value her track record of success, calm manner and sound judgement.

‘Nichola is a brave advocate with total integrity. She is always well-prepared and organised and this is reflected in her approach to cross-examination, which is not only very effective but also easy to follow’. Legal 500 2023 (Leading Junior)

‘Nichola is an extremely strong barrister. She is tenacious, persuasive, and advises her clients in a measured and sensible manner. In court she is a charming and effective advocate, who wins over judges and juries alike.’ Legal 500 2022 (Leading Junior)

See ‘notable cases’ for examples of Nichola current and past instructions.

Murder & Manslaughter

2023

R v H- defence alone. Murder.  Central Criminal Court

R v I and Others- Leading junior.  Conspiracy to Murder.  Central Criminal Court

R v M- Leading Junior.  Attempted murder.

2022

R v G and Otrs: Gang related murder. Birmingham Crown Court led by Queens Counsel.

R v S and Others- Gang related murder.  Leicester Crown Court led by Kings Counsel.

R v K and Others- revenge attack Murder.  Birmingham Crown Court, led by Queens Counsel

Pre 2022- Nichola has been instructed in numerous Homicide cases over the years including:

R v NC: Murder, led by Queens Counsel; issues relating to fitness to plead and insanity.

R v HP and Others: Leading Junior in case involving conspiracy to commit arson with intertnt to endanger life.

R v B and Others. Defence alone. Attempted murder and perverting the course of justice.

R v DF: Defence alone. Attempted murder resulting in the victim sustaining permanent brain damage.

Sexual Offences

Nichola has a strong track record defending in cases concerning allegations of serious sexual assault involving vulnerable witnesses, multiple complainants and cases involving allegations of historical sexual abuse.

Financial Crime & Fraud

Current instructions:

Leading Junior in multi million pound cross boarder fraud. VHCC case.

Pre 2022- some previous instructions include:

Operation Stormgrad: Global pharmaceutical fraud involving international sale of counterfeit Pzifer products; prosecuted by Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Operation Echowood: Evasion of over £5 million of revenue; defendants were extradited from Italy to the United Kingdom; cross-jurisdictional fraud involved the diversion of excise goods.

Operation Valgus: Multi-million pound subprime mortgage fraud.

Operation Metacarpal: Defending first defendant in international construction/plant fraud.

Notable Cases

Homicide and associated offences:

2023

R v H- defence alone. Murder.  Central Criminal Court

R v I and Others- Leading junior.  Conspiracy to Murder.  Central Criminal Court

R v M- Leading Junior.  Attempted murder.

2022

R v G and Otrs: Gang related murder. Birmingham Crown Court led by Queens Counsel.

R v S and Others- Gang related murder.  Leicester Crown Court led by Kings Counsel.

R v K and Others- revenge attack Murder.  Birmingham Crown Court, led by Queens Counsel

Pre 2022- Nichola has been instructed in numerous Homicide cases over the years including:

R v NC: Murder, led by Queens Counsel; issues relating to fitness to plead and insanity.

R v HP and Others: Leading Junior in case involving conspiracy to commit arson with intertnt to endanger life.

R v B and Others. Defence alone. Attempted murder and perverting the course of justice.

R v DF: Defence alone. Attempted murder resulting in the victim sustaining permanent brain damage.

Financial/Regulatory Crime:

Current instructions:

Leading Junior in multi million pound cross boarder fraud. VHCC case.

Pre 2022- some previous instructions include:

Operation Stormgrad: Global pharmaceutical fraud involving international sale of counterfeit Pzifer products; prosecuted by Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Operation Echowood: Evasion of over £5 million of revenue; defendants were extradited from Italy to the United Kingdom; cross-jurisdictional fraud involved the diversion of excise goods.

Operation Valgus: Multi-million pound subprime mortgage fraud.

Operation Metacarpal: Defending first defendant in international construction/plant fraud.

Serious and Organised Crime:

2022/2023

R v H and Others.   Conspiracy to sell wholesale quantities of drugs. Conspiracy to sell firearms.

R v S and Others.  Nationwide Conspiracy to sell class A drugs

R v R and Others.  Conspiracy to Supply and Cultivate wholesale quantities of class B drugs.

Pre 2022- examples of previous instructions:

R v R and Otrs: Leading Junior, allegations of human trafficking, controlling prostitution and organising sham marriages.

R v M and Otrs: Defence of large-scale conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and money laundering. 

Operation Hudson: Leading Junior acting for the head of international organised crime group facing allegations of human trafficking and rape.

Operation Gottzinger: Defence of first defendant in case involving allegations human trafficking, controlling prostitution and rape.

Serious Sexual Offences:

2021 onwards:

R v D: Professional man allegations of making indecent images / voyeurism.

R v G: Professional man in historic sexual abuse case.

R v B: Professional man in multiple-complainant historic sexual abuse case.

R v G: Professional man in multiple-complainant historic sexual abuse case.

Pre 2021: Nichola has defended in cases involving allegations of historic sexual abuse and serious sexual offences for over 20 years.

Bribery and Corruption:

R v H and Others (Operation Elveden - the News International case): Conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

Qualifications

LLB (Hons), Warwick University
Middle Temple Diplock Scholar

Memberships

South Eastern Circuit

Midland & Oxford Circuit

Criminal Bar Association

Testimonials

‘Nichola is an exceptionally talented barrister who should be in silk. She has a warm and compassionate manner with defendants. She has a phenomenal eye for detail and discovers where evidence is missing or withheld with great skill. She is also a confident and highly capable advocate who argues with great persuasion.’ Legal 500 2024

‘Nichola is a brave advocate with total integrity. She is always well-prepared and organised and this is reflected in her approach to cross-examination, which is not only very effective but also easy to follow. [Leading Junior] ’ Legal 500 2023

‘ Nichola is an extremely strong barrister. She is tenacious, persuasive, and advises her clients in a measured and sensible manner. In court she is a charming and effective advocate, who wins over judges and juries alike.’ Legal 500 - 2022 (Leading Junior)

"As a firm we have been briefing and instructing Nicky for many years, very happily. She is extremely committed to her clients, and focuses upon successfully achieving the very best outcomes for them. She is an excellent lawyer, very bright, diligent and very approachable - clients love her kind and reassuring manner. A great team player and a delight to work with!” - Lewis Nedas Solicitors 

“We have instructed Miss Cafferkey for many years. Nichola consistently delivers warm, measured advice that is always well informed and up to date. She is thorough, hard working and approachable. Her attention to detail is second to none. She has sound judgement and an impressive court room presence.  She is sensitive to the impact that criminal proceedings have upon clients and their families. An absolute pleasure to work with." - Lawrence Hamblin Solicitors

‘A highly sought after Barrister. Meticulous in her preperation with an excellent rapport with clients.' and 'Fantastic advocate...’ - Talia Coles - Edwards Duthie Solicitors

 

 

Direct Access

Nichola is accredited to accept work under Direct Access, also known as Public Access. In order to instruct Nichola on a Direct Access basis, contact the clerks on +44 (0) 20 7242 6476 or at clerks@33bedfordrow.co.uk.