Nicholas Syfret QC

Date of Call 1979
Date of Silk 2008

 

RANGE OF EXPERIENCE

Nicholas Syfret has over 30 years' experience, covering all aspects of criminal litigation, Health and Safety and Regulatory work. 

QUALIFICATIONS

1973 - 1976:  MA Emmanuel College, Cambridge University (Open Exhibition)

CAREER PATH

Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2008

Appointed Recorder 2000

Nicholas Syfret joined the chambers of Julian Baughan QC, at 13 King’s Bench Walk in 1993. He became Head of Chambers in October 2010.

He graduated in 1976 and was called to the Bar in 1979.  He undertook his pupillage at 1 Serjeants Inn, and practised from those chambers until 1993.

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE EXPERIENCE

Nicholas Syfret’s professional practice has covered extensive Criminal experience, both prosecution and defence, in a variety of criminal cases, including fraud, drugs, sexual offences, child abuse, murder and manslaughter. He is also experienced in Health and Safety and Regulatory matters.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Chairman of the Thames Valley Bar Mess
• Member of the Criminal Bar Association

DEFENCE CASES

Murder – Baby, mother accused

Murder – London gangland murder. Cell-site analysis. Investigated by Operation Trident police officers.

Murder - Extreme domestic violence.

Murder – Pub brawl (Guilty Plea).

Murder – Group attack. ‘R v Rahman’ issues.

Manslaughter – ‘One punch’. Causation issues as death resulted from meningitis.

Death by dangerous – Reversing waste lorry (insurance funded defence)

Death by careless – expert evidence on ‘invisibility’ (insurance funded defence).

Death by dangerous – apprentice racing driver losing consciousness.       

Defence automatism.

Confiscation – tainted gift: house worth over £300,000 (Reported, local authority instructions)

Resulting trust - contested equity in shared domicile

Rape – incestuous rape over many years of siblings

Rape – ‘historic’, by  priest.

Rape - 'Aristocrat' aged 41.  Girl 16

Environmental – toxic waste brought from abroad and illegally stored.

Conspiracy – Army sergeant and others stealing plastic explosives for use by professional criminals.

Conspiracy – people smuggling from Kashmir.

Conspiracy – Class A supply through music recording studios.

Fraud - illegal importation of veterinary products.

Health and Safety – ‘Adventure’ school, canoes blown out to sea.

Health and Safety – overturning fork lift truck, resulting in death.

Health and Safety - Lectured to the Atomic Weapons Establishment on sentencing for corporate manslaughter.