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What the Directories say CRIME SILK OF THE YEAR - Chamber & Partners Bar Awards 2009 CHAMBERS & PARTNERS 2013 'Star-Rated' in both Crime and Fruad. "An astute tactician who is bold and fearless in defence of his clients" "One of the true greats...excellent on all counts" "Deservedly regarded as one of the best criminal defense lawyers in the country" ENTRIES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS "Nicholas Purnell QC has been practising at the bar for over 40 years. He still wins plaudits as a top name in the market for a range of criminal work, including notable fraud matters." "Really effective and tough, you would want him in your corner." According to those that use him, "he fights to the last and is monumentally persuasive in court" Nicholas Purnell QC "has a commanding presence and very good strategic insight","A forceful advocate," he has plentiful experience of the whole range of criminal fraud-related work, including internal investigation, cross-border corruption, cartel fraud and regulatory investigations. Nicholas Purnell QC "holds sway completely once in court." He has "immense experience, great gravitas and such complete comprehension of the criminal system that others have to defer to him". He is also "fearless" and "not afraid to mark the judge's card when circumstances dictate." He may not be doing as much crime as fraud these days but is still "nigh-on unbeatable" when he turns his hand to it. His "sharp and incredibly quick mind" leaves colleagues in awe, and his authoritative status is such that it allows him to stand up to judges and be heard. Clients praise him for having an ability to see things from a corporate perspective, and he is frequently instructed on cartel and corruption matters. He is "sensational with a jury", and greatly admired for his "ability to take control of a situation in court", "an absolute class act who is exceptionally well regarded for his fine judgement - he also has wonderful gravitas, which allows him to set the mood early on." The "silky smooth" Nicholas Purnell QC is “indisputably at the absolute top” and as "graceful and thorough an advocate as you could ever hope to instruct". He "has an ability to be particularly effective in complicated and protracted trials. A supreme advocate, head and shoulders above the majority", "a superb tactician who fearlessly fights for his clients with real tenacity."
RECENT CASES
NOTABLE CASES Over a career spanning 40 years Nicholas Purnell has covered every area of criminal and criminal-related law. From appointments as a DTI Inspector into allegations of insider share dealing to successfully defending David McCormick, CEO of Atlantic Computers; Johnny Townshend, Deputy Chairman of Hoare Govett and David de Benham Crosswell, Chairman of Selborne Brick and Tile Company on charges of insider share dealing. He defended in both references of the Guinness case to the Court of Appeal in 1995 and 2002, prosecuted the Brinks Mat money laundering trials and Blue Arrow fraud trials; defended in the McNicholas, Morgan Grenfell frauds and the VTI Fertasco anti-dumping prosecution. He was instructed by the owners of the Bowbelle in the litigation which followed the Marchioness Disaster, the criminal investigation and the subsequent Wreck Commissioner's Inquiry. Between 2002 and 2005 he acted for the First Defendant in the Jubilee Line trial at the Old Bailey. He represented Lord Archer and Jonathan Aitken's co-accused in their respective perjury trials. He advised Celador when concerns arose over the winning contestant in "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?". In 2007 he successfully defended Matthew Mellon in the case alleging he had hacked into Tamara Mellon's computer system. Education/Experience
The Oratory School; Open Exhibition at King's College, Cambridge; Harmsworth Entrance Exhibition and Astbury Scholarship, Middle Temple |
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  CLOTH FAIR CHAMBERS 39-40 CLOTH FAIR, LONDON, EC1A 7NT, UK | (t) 020 7710 6444 | (f ) 020 7710 6446 |
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