Nick Brett

Practice Areas

Nick is a founding partner of the firm. His expertise is in criminal and related civil litigation and regulatory/disciplinary investigations and prosecutions. He is particularly noted for his work in defending professionals in disciplinary processes and regulatory investigations. Nick successfully defended Ryan Beckwith in the landmark Divisional Court decision following the prominent SRA prosecution (Beckwith v Solicitors Regulation Authority [2020] EWHC 323).

Nick and his team have successfully intervened in numerous criminal investigations and prosecutions. They recently won the 750th referral by the CCRC to the Court of Appeal. Nick’s recent portfolio of major fraud cases is substantial and includes the first ever FCA prosecution and the largest ever crypto-currency fraud. He advises corporates and individuals in bribery and corruption investigations and FSMA related issues. Nick has successfully advised upon and defended numerous Proceeds of Crime Act cases both at first instance and on appeal. He is a frequent commentator on radio and contributor to legal resource outlets and journals.

Career

Trained Saunders Solicitors LLP, Partner at Lewis Nedas (2006-2010); Partner Brett Wilson LLP (2010 to date).

Professional Memberships

Higher Rights of Audience (Criminal); London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association; Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association.

Work Highlights

Notable cases include:

SRA v XF (2023) – SRA investigation into solicitor discontinued

R v XH (2022) – rape investigation against former US senator discontinued

Metropolitan Police v FT FZE (2022) – Application for Account Forfeiture Order settled

BSB v XC (2021) – BSB investigation into alleged sexual harassment dismissed

The Dyson Investigation (2021) – acted for former BBC executive in investigation into Martin Bashir interview of Princess Diana

Mohammed v R [2021] EWCA 201 – convictions for sexual assault quashed in CCRC’s 750th case

GDC v KG (2021) – High Court proceedings brought by GDC

Beckwith v SRA [2020] EWHC 3231 – successful defence of disciplinary prosecution

Metropolitan Police v M (2020) – AFOs under TA 2000 and POCA 2002 discharged

CISI v ABC (2020) – CISI disciplinary tribunal proceedings

ARB v JDSC (2020) – Architect Registration Board disciplinary proceedings

SRA v AA/AH (2020) – SRA investigation in Saudi Arabia

R v RJ (2020) – police investigation into Nursery owner discontinued

GMC v TA (2019) – GMC investigation successfully concluded without disciplinary proceedings

R v SA (2019) – £2.7m fraud on employer in civil and criminal jurisdictions

S (2019) – internal corporate bribery investigation

FCA v G (2018) – FCA investigation alleging breaches of general prohibition

R v K (2018) – largest ever cryptocurrency prosecution

A v H (2018) – High court claim in gangmaster litigation

R v E (2018) – fraud on the Montessori charity

BPL v M (2018) – £20m High Court enforcement action

SFO v FXB Ltd (2018) – dual corruption prosecution

R v W (2018) – Fraud by abuse of position against freeholder

SFO v IKS (2018) – SFO Claim for civil recovery order

F v F (2017) – High Court Freezing Order litigation

DWP v N (2016) – largest ever DWP prosecution for fraud

GDC v R (2015) – successful defence of disciplinary proceedings brought by GDC

R v S (2015) – fraud allegations from failed property investment scheme stayed for abuse of process.

Sanam v National Crime Agency [2015] EWCA 1234 – Acted for appellant in case where Court of Appeal decided that civil recovery orders subject to ECHR A1P1 proportionality principle

SFO v R (2015) – asserting third party interest in assets subject to confiscation

R v M (2015) – acted for lead defendant in £8m fraud against Barclays: “peanut tycoon” fraud case

R v C (2015) – acting for lead defendant in ‘Operation Cotton’ case. First ever prosecution by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

R v P (2015) – successful defence in conspiracy to import and supply cocaine