Nicholas Ferrari

Barrister

Nicholas is a tenacious advocate, with a busy practice in serious crime, handling complex cases, both acting alone and as led counsel. He has experience in conspiracy cases, serious violence, firearms offences and fraud offences, with a growing practice in cases of homicide.

Nicholas’ forensic approach to reviewing evidence and calm manner in conference sets his clients – both lay and professional – at ease. He is known for his sound trial strategy and considered cross-examination which often obtains the best results.

As a result of his strong written and oral advocacy, Nicholas is often the author of successful and persuasive legal arguments. His keen eye for burgeoning areas of law allows him to deploy arguments to their best effect. In 2024, Nicholas received judicial praise as an ‘embryonic silk’ for the strength of his complex argument that ultimately saw not guilty verdicts directed for allegations of serious gang-related violence with a firearm.

Current instructions include trials for murder, drug supply conspiracies and rape.

He has a wealth of experience in representing vulnerable and young people at all stages of the trial process, including in the Youth Court.

Education/Qualifications

University of York: LLB (First Class Honours)
BPP Law: BPTC (Outstanding)

Professional Memberships

The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple

2026

R v DT: Manchester Crown Court, ‘missing body’ murder. Led by Paul Keleher KC.
R v LC: Basildon Crown Court, acted alone following proceedings in another Crown Court in respect of further allegations of money laundering. The evidential overlap involved consideration with what had given rise to previous convictions. [Fraud]
R v FF: Southwark Crown Court, allegation of s20 ‘one punch’ assault by a 19 year old defendant of good character, resulting in significant and permanent brain injury. Acquitted after trial.
R v SR: Woolwich Crown Court, acted alone in respect of allegations of possessing firearms with intent to endanger life. The Crown offered no evidence to these allegations. Sentence for the possession of a single firearm resulted in the minimum sentence permissible by law being passed.

2025

R v DT: Manchester Crown Court, attempted murder of a police office mid-interview. Led by Paul Kelleher KC.
R v LC and others: Guildford Crown Court, acted alone for the lead and principle defendant in a 6-handed money laundering trial. The evidence included forensic examination of banking materials and practices, and legal argument took place in respect of self-recorded video ‘confessions’. [Fraud]
CPS v AR: Stevenage Youth Court, defending a 15 year old boy (13 at the time of the allegations) in respect of allegations of sexual assault upon a class mate. Conviction would have had a lasting impact on a child of good character. Acquitted following cross-examination of the complainant at trial.
R v DC and others: Cambridge Crown Court, representing the first defendant in a trial for conspiracy to blackmail and kidnap supposed paedophiles. The evidence was based on extensive phone records, cell site material and examination of financial documents. Issues arose in respect of PII material, and character evidence of the victims. Led by Matthew Radstone at trial, acted as sole counsel at sentence.
R v GNS and another: Taunton Crown Court, represented the first defendant of two half-brothers allegedly involved in the supply of Class A drugs. Following forensic cross-examination of the Crown’s drug expert witness, both were acquitted after trial.

2024

R v AS: Inner London Crown Court, alleged robbery of phone by Vauxhall station. Successful submission of no case to answer made.
R v AK and others: St Albans Crown Court, acted for fourth defendant of a conspiracy to commit ‘courier fraud’. Successful submission of no case to answer made based on consideration of the limitations of cell site material and CCTV.
R v JP and others: Luton Crown Court, represented the first defendant alone in a case of aggravated burglary. The burglars were said to carry a firearm, and inflict serious violence upon the occupants, followed by kidnapping and torturing one. Following cross-examination as to medical issues of a witness and complex arguments as to bad character, identification and procedural flaws in the investigation, a successful submission of no case to answer was made.
R v SC: St Albans Crown Court, trial in respect of 5kg cocaine supply, spanning from Portsmouth to Watford. Press Link.

2023

R v AH and others: Central Criminal Court, represented the alleged gunman in a conspiracy to murder during the small hours following the Notting Hill Carnival. The evidence included cell site material (which was explored extensively under cross-examination), firearms expert reports as to the calibre of the bullets used and ricochet, bodymapping experts, social media experts and digital media experts. The defence was that of alibi. Following submissions of no case to answer, directed verdicts of not guilty were returned in respect of all count. Led by Mathew Dance.
R v LC: Reading Crown Court, defending in a trial of perverting the course of justice, involving a significant quantity of data and material.
R v BM and another: Basildon Crown Court, acted alone for one of two brothers in respect of allegations of a professional armed robbery of a watch store in Epping. The Crown’s evidence turned on phone data evidence, cell site material, CCTV, ANPR and forensic material on recovered items (knives, an axe and professional latex masks). Press Link.

2022

R v B: Wood Green Crown Court, successfully argued against a sentence of immediate imprisonment for a cleaner who was found to have stolen £44,000 in cash from her employer over the course of 3 months.
R v SB: Isleworth Crown Court, defended at trial an allegation of threatening three men with a knife in the aftermath of a robbery of a Rolex wristwatch. All three witnesses were cross-examined, and the defendant was acquitted following trial.
CPS v G: Bromley Magistrates’ Court, successfully sought a Community Order in a case of a driver who was more than three times over the legal limit due to novel circumstances. The starting point was 12 weeks’ imprisonment. Press Link.
R v JL and others: Oxford Crown Court, represented the fifth of seven defendants in multiple overlapping conspiracies to steal and burgle across the country. Offences included the burglary of trophies at the Newmarket Horse Racing Museum. Led by Isobel McCarroll. Press Link.
R v LA and another: Southwark Crown Court, defended the first defendant of a husband and wife alleged to be involved in the supply of Class A drugs at trial where both were acquitted.

2021

R v MR: Wood Green Crown Court, successfully applied to dismiss allegations of GBH in a domestic relationship, and successfully represented the same defendant at trial in respect of allegations of ABH against the same complainant.
CPS v KW: Bromley Youth Court, successfully defendant a youth charged with possessing a prohibited weapon in a private place 3 days after the commencement of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019. Legal argument engaged whether or not the article in question could be classified as a ‘zombie knife’, resulting in a not guilty verdict.
R v RQ: Woolwich Crown Court, successfully argued for a short Suspended Sentence Order for a defendant who had escaped from lawful custody and remained at large for 13 months. Submissions distinguished this case from numerous authorities which suggested immediate custody. Was praised by the judiciary for a ‘most carefully crafted piece of mitigation’.
R v JL and others: Oxford Crown Court, represented the first defendant at trial for causing death by dangerous driving and conspiracy to burgle and antiques store. Led by Isobel McCarroll. Press Link.

2020

R v S and others: Southwark Crown Court, acted alone for the first defendant in a ‘first wave’ EncroChat conspiracy. Allegations were a conspiracy to import Class A drugs in the sum of at least 6 tonnes per month, as well as conspiring to torture another member of the criminal fraternity.