Nicholas Doherty

Practice Profile

Crime

My current practice includes the entire range of Criminal work. I defend at all the Crown Courts in the South East and most of the country. I have appeared in several murders as a junior, including ‘gangland’ shootings; that of a baby boy and a case of murder and attempted murder which attracted widespread publicity in which two students were thrown off Hungerford Bridge, all at the Old Bailey. I appeared in a ‘neighbour dispute’ murder in Birmingham. I have appeared in many rape cases both alone and being led. I have defended in every type of fraud case, including complex matters lasting up to four months, both as junior counsel alone and being led by silks and leading juniors. In the late 1980’s I appeared in two of the biggest ‘football hooligan’ trials - being led by Victor Durand QC in the ‘ICF’ (West Ham) and alone in the ‘North Sea Ferry Affray’ at Chelmsford.

As a leading junior I have been instructed in a number of high profile cases for the defence:- a man said to be the most successful counterfeiter of Bank of England bank notes that there has ever been; a series of  armed robberies on sub post offices during the night; large drugs importations and so on.

I have prosecuted for the CPS in London and was on the Attorney General’s list to prosecute for the Department of Social Security and the Revenue. I have conducted many multiple defendant organised fraud cases and was once selected to prosecute a member of the Bar for such an offence! Like my defence practice, my prosecution work has included frequent appearances in the Court of Appeal.  I have also been involved as counsel in several appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on behalf of prisoners sentenced to death in the Commonwealth; two of those appeals have been successful.

I have considerable experience through my practice of dealing with the mentally ill and am familiar with the various sentencing options available to the courts under the Mental Health Act. I am computer literate and have a good understanding of science and technology.

Firearms Licensing

In addition to my criminal work I have a specialised knowledge of the law relating to firearms, and advise and frequently appear in firearms licensing appeals in all parts of England and Wales. I am recommended by most of the major shooting organisations for this type of work. This includes appeals against the refusal to grant or renew firearms and shotgun certificates and registered firearms dealerships. I advise firearms related businesses as to the legal requirements which are appropriate to their activities. I also advise and appear in cases where those previously convicted of serious offences  wish to have their prohibition from possessing firearms (by virtue of Section 21 of the Firearms Act) removed. Because of my extensive practical knowledge of firearms I am often instructed in criminal prosecutions which involve the use of guns.

I keep up to date with the law by attending frequent courses, some of the most recent being on Sexual Offences and developments in the law of evidence and Human Rights.