Nick Terry

Partner. Crime, Driving Offences, Professional Discipline and Inquests

A Partner and Solicitor with over 15 years post-qualification experience. Nick has extensive expertise in multiple areas of Criminal and Regulatory law, for which he also has an admirable reputation nationally. He represents individuals, businesses, and high-profile clients, providing strategic advice from the initial investigation, through to the conclusion of Court proceedings. Nick is known for providing strategic, pragmatic, and discreet advice, earning a formidable success rate.

His practice is built on meticulous preparation, extensive knowledge base, strong advocacy, and a clear understanding of the commercial/political landscape. Nick is experienced in handling complex and sensitive cases, ensuring clients receive pragmatic guidance and robust representation at every stage of proceedings.

Nick developed his practice primarily in the niche area of motoring prosecutions. He has a passion for motoring and so represents drivers for offences ranging from speeding up to death by dangerous driving. Nick’s consummate knowledge, experience and reputation lead to his frequent instruction by fellow legal professionals. Nick has dealt with countless complex serious injury and fatal driving cases and is well adept at navigating the process and ensuring his clients receive the most tactically astute advice and assistance.

In fatal cases, Nick works seamlessly alongside the best experts and barristers to ensure the highest level of representation. His experience in Coronial proceedings also ensures continuity for his clients, even through the inquest proceedings that may follow the investigation and prosecution.

Nick also receives instruction for professional discipline matters, often linked to an earlier criminal allegation. His knowledge in this area has been sought by lawyers in international jurisdictions, when adopting Regulatory frameworks akin to those existing in the UK. Nick is also regularly instructed to speak and provide training, to various organisations to assist with their development.

Nick continues to receive instructions from various insurance companies, football clubs, large corporations, Police Federation of England and Wales, NCOA and members of the medical and legal professions.

Notable Cases:

R v B – Motorist charged with causing death by dangerous driving after manoeuvring across a carriageway and colliding with an oncoming vehicle, resulting in a fatality. The case was successfully defended on the basis that the oncoming vehicle was travelling at such a speed, they would have been positioned too far back to prevent a motorist from committing to a turn. Client acquitted after trial.

R v H- Police officer investigated for causing death by dangerous driving. A pedestrian was struck by a police car, when it was travelling over the speed limit, causing their death. The case was defended on the basis that the clothing worn by the pedestrian had effectively camouflaged them against the surrounding grey buildings. It was argued that, even at the speed limit, a careful competent driver would not have seen the pedestrian and so the collision was unavoidable. Following pre-charge representations, no charges were brought and there were no negative findings following representation at the Inquest.

R v A- A professional driver turned into a minor road, colliding with two cyclists, causing serious injury. The driver was acquitted after a successful argument, supported by experts evidence, that the cyclists would have been out of view for the critical ‘split second’ when the relevant mirror checks were required.

R v L- Police officer charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The Officer collided with a taxi whilst overtaking at more than treble the speed limit, causing a collision and serious injuries. Following a trial, the Officer was acquitted and subsequent representations prevented any misconduct findings.

R v T- Motorist charged with drink driving. The Prosecution proposed a breath reading almost twice the legal limit using an expert back calculation. Nick drafted a legal argument arguing such an approach could not meet the standard of proof required, the case was subsequently discontinued.

R v T- Professional football player travelling over 100mph. The driver was caught twice speeding on the same road, Nick successfully argued that this ought to be considered one offence rather that two, then tactically using the principle autrefois convict, the case concerning the highest speed was discontinued.

Details of some of the cases and press reports are below: