Nicholas Clarke QC

APPOINTMENTS

Queen’s Counsel
Recorder

SPECIALIST AREAS OF PRACTICE

Criminal Law

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Mr Clarke has spent 28 years at the Manchester Bar and has extensive experience across the whole criminal spectrum. He was made an Assistant Recorder in 1999 and a Recorder in 2000. Chambers & Partners described Mr Clarke as “forceful but sensitive” in his conduct of cases with medical or psychiatric issues.

He has acquired a reputation defending and prosecuting cases of homicide, large scale drug importation and sexual and physical abuse of children. He has taken a particular interest in cases with a medical or psychiatric background and has extensive experience of cross-examining expert witnesses including pathologists, psychiatrists, neuroradiologists and paediatric specialists in various disciplines. Mr Clarke defended in the fi rst trial in this country in which the Crown relied solely on earprints to identify the defendant during which he cross-examined an expert from Holland in earprint identifi cation. He has conducted 2 cases involving palynological evidence as a geographical signature (by pollen and spores).

Mr Clarke has acted in a number of large scale frauds and money laundering both for the Prosecution and Defence involving many tens of thousands of documents. He has defended SFO prosecutions served in electronic format. He has appeared in contested POCA applications, extending to millions of pounds.

Mr Clarke has led many members of these chambers and others. He was in one of the largest gangland murder cases heard on circuit involving the notorious Gooch gang murdering two members of the Doddington gang. He has also been in cases involving Lithuanian gun runners importing converted Baikal handguns, silencers and ammunition for onward distribution to gangs in Manchester, Liverpool and elsewhere.

Mr Clarke appeared on BBC’s Panorama in relation to the disclosure provisions of the CPIA 1996. He has also appeared on television to discuss the case of a youth who incited the murder of himself.

He has embraced new technology to assist in research and the presentation of material in Court (eg Powerpoint presentations and/or the use of electronic presentation of documents using Courtroom computers and monitors for all Court users including the jury). He is prepared to accept instructions and case papers via email or on disc. He is an effi cient professional who remains aware of his pastoral role and the need to communicate with and retain the confidence of the lay client.

He drafted and instigated Chambers “Service Standard for Defence Solicitors.” He provides a fast and efficient service from the delivery of the brief until the case’s conclusion.

Mr Clarke is chairman of 3rd Hazel Grove Scout Group and a member of Disley Golf Club. He is a Manchester United season ticket holder, keeps marine fish and grows orchids.

OTHER CHAMBERS

Bank House Chambers, Old Bank House, Hartshead, Sheffield S1 2EL

YEAR OF CALL
1981, Middle Temple

QUEEN'S COUNSEL
2006

EDUCATION
LLB (Hons), University of Sheffield

ASSOCIATIONS
Criminal Bar Association

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Criminal CV