Nathan Seymour-Hyde is a Partner and Senior Solicitor within our Private Crime team. He is recognised nationally as a leading lawyer in drafting written representations and is Head of our Fare Evasion law team. With over ten years of experience as a criminal defence solicitor, he regularly represents clients in both voluntary interviews and at court.
Nathan’s practice is largely focused on representing clients who have not faced criminal prosecution before and whose livelihood depends on the preservation of their clean criminal records. He is often instructed to submit detailed written representations, advocating for an out of court disposal. His outstanding written work and attention to detail mean that he has consistently achieved exceptional outcomes.
Nathan has built a highly respected niche practice in representing clients accused of fare evasion and seeking to settle the matters out of court. He has an unrivalled knowledge of the relevant law and procedure as well as contacts with relevant prosecutors. His interventions have played a pivotal role in preventing hundreds of prosecutions.
He consistently receives client feedback of the highest order and is widely praised for his calm, empathetic and professional approach. As an expert in his field, he has been interviewed on national TV, including BBC news and radio.
Nathan is an expert in representing clients in voluntary interviews, including those conducted by the police, council and the NHS anti-crime team. At this crucial stage, Nathan has often made decisive interventions by collating defence evidence and seeking to challenge the grounds of prosecution.
In accordance with the Solicitors’ Regulatory Transparency Rules for motoring offences we confirm that Nathan Seymour-Hyde charges Level A hourly rates.
Publications and press highlights
- Voluntary Police Station Interviews – A Guide to the Law – September 2024
- The Fare Evasion Prosecution Scandal Explained – The Railway Gazette – August 2024
- Quoted by the BBC – Thousands of train fare prosecutions set to be quashed – BBC New
- Interviewed on the Green Signals Podcast – discussing the fare evasion scandal – Green Signals Episode 44 – Additional Resources
- Fare Evasion Law: Penalisation in the UK for Fare Evasion
Recent and notable cases
Nathan is a true nationwide leading expert in this area and has appeared on TV and radio to provide commentary. Since establishing his practice in 2015, he has settled hundreds of fare evasions cases out of court, preventing serious consequences on behalf of his clients. He understands what is at stake and the level of anxiety that people feel when facing legal proceedings for the first time. Given this, he is regularly instructed to seek proactive settlements, even before the train company has sent out the initial letter.
Nathan has vast experience in dealing with the various train operators, including Chiltern Railways, TFL, Govia Thameslink, Northern Rail, West Midlands Trains, South Western Railways, Southeastern trains, Greater Anglia, Cross Country, TransPennine Express, Transport (Wales Digital Fraud Team), Great Western Railways and others.
- TFL cases – Nathan has had consistent success in persuading TFL to issue Formal Warning letters in lieu of prosecutions. Notable recent examples include clients accused of misusing Freedom passes and 60+ passes over an extended period.
- Chiltern Railway – Nathan has secured numerous out of court settlements, involving a wide variety of cases, including ‘short tickets’, ‘sandwich tickets’, expired railcards and doctored railcards. He has been successful in getting cases withdrawn from court, even after a court summons has been issued.
- Govia Thameslink – Nathan is regularly instructed by clients who have received the Notice of Intention to Prosecute letter or a Single Justice court summons. He is regularly instructed to proactively contact the prosecutor prior to any correspondence being received and has an excellent track record of success in securing out of court settlements.
- Northern Rail – Nathan has represented many clients who have received the initial letter, requesting a voluntary interview to ask questions about ‘suspicious ticket activity’. He has been able to get the interview process cancelled and secure out of court settlements after submitting representations.
- Southeastern trains – Nathan has secured out of court settlements, even in some of the most serious cases, involving over 100 ticket offences. He has been successful in getting prosecutions withdrawn from Bexley, Bromley and Medway Magistrates’ Court.
- South Western Railway – Nathan is often instructed to proactively seek out of court settlements for those who do not want to wait several months for initial contact by the fraud team. He also intervenes on behalf of clients when they have received an initial email from an investigator or a court summons.
Nathan has represented hundreds of clients in voluntary interviews under caution and has written the firm’s comprehensive legal guide for this area. He has advised high-profile professionals, where discretion is paramount. He recognises the critical importance of preparing fully and seeking detailed disclosure from the interviewer prior to the interview taking place.
He regularly provides representation at voluntary interviews conducted by the council, including benefit fraud, health and safety as well as environmental matters. He is also instructed to represent NHS staff, who have been accused of work-related offences, such as fraud.
NHS v J – advised a nurse accused of falsifying prescriptions over a two-year period. After making representations, the matter was resolved via an out of court disposal.
NHS v H – represented a nurse accused of fraudulently working a bank shift whilst on sick leave. Successfully prevented a criminal prosecution.
R v M – provided detailed written representations to the police in connection with a serious sexual and coercive control allegation, analysing over one thousand pages of text message evidence as well as video evidence. The case was dropped after a full review by the CPS.
R v B – Defended a high-profile suspect accused of international historic sex offences against dozens of complainants. After submitting representations, the charges were ultimately dropped.
R v H – successfully submitted written representations to the CPS to takeover and discontinue a private prosecution in connection with a neighbour dispute.
Chiltern Railways v B – successful persuaded Chiltern Railways to withdraw a Single Justice Procedure court summons and a proposed voluntary interview in favour of an out of court settlement. This was one of many successful examples in this particular area of work.
Testimonials
I can honestly say Nathan did everything he said he was going to do, he was available, he responded to emails and sent the correspondence on our behalf in a timely manner. I was absolutely blown away when I had a phone call and a follow up email from Nathan (4 working days after I had first spoken to him) advising of a satisfactory solution and outcome for all parties. I cannot tell you how grateful both myself and my son are and I would have absolutely no hesitation recommending Nathan to anyone, absolutely outstanding.
Client
Nathan approached the case very professionally and covered every possible angle of it to ensure a positive result with no criminal conviction. He was amazing from beginning to end and would most definitely recommend him to anyone who found themselves in the position I did.
Client
From the first second I felt like Nathan had experience with cases like mine. He was very professional, he had great questions and ideas. I am grateful for Nathan and I highly recommend him.
Client
Nathan Seymour-Hyde was an amazing solicitor and person to speak with. He promptly responded to emails and WhatsApp messages. However, what was even greater was his amazing advice. He explained each issue with clarity and cohesion and was extremely understanding and considerate of the nuances. He went beyond the time frame of the consultation and did not rush or make me feel pressured at any point. He deals with the matter fast and we have got an amazing result. He is everything you want in a solicitor. I would highly recommend his service and this firm.
Client
Absolutely amazing service, I had Nathan Seymour-Hyde assist me. Very professional, willing to go the extra mile, couldn't fault. Thanks so much.
Client
Nathan Seymour Hyde thank you. You dealt with my case extremely professionally. You were prepared and put me at my ease when preparing me for court. I felt reassured in the way you handled everything. I would recommend you to anyone seeking a lawyer who not just knows his stuff but is very client centric and is very good with people.
Client
Nathan I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for all the hard work you did on my behalf. If it weren’t for your analytical skills and knowledge, the matter wouldn’t have been settled by now. Your legal expertise and professionalism went above and beyond my expectations throughout the course of my case and I cannot thank you enough for your assistance. You are an excellent solicitor and I really appreciate your passion, dedication and skilfulness.
Client
The solicitor Service that I received from Nathan was excellent. He acted quickly and decisively without wasting any time at all. The actions needed to be taken were perfectly simplified and explained to me and it allowed me to fully understand my role in solving my situation. Nathan was very kind and caring, having empathy for my situation which was a massive help through the whole process. His comprehensive knowledge of the situation I was in, put me at ease and made me confident that he was the right person to help me. He is an excellent solicitor and the service that I have received from the company was second to none.
Client
I can honestly say Nathan did everything he said he was going to do, he was available, he responded to emails and sent the correspondence on our behalf in a timely manner. I was absolutely blown away when I had a phone call and a follow up email from Nathan (4 working days after I had first spoken to him) advising of a satisfactory solution and outcome for all parties. I cannot tell you how grateful both myself and my son are and I would have absolutely no hesitation recommending Nathan to anyone, absolutely outstanding.
Client
Nathan approached the case very professionally and covered every possible angle of it to ensure a positive result with no criminal conviction. He was amazing from beginning to end and would most definitely recommend him to anyone who found themselves in the position I did.
Client
From the first second I felt like Nathan had experience with cases like mine. He was very professional, he had great questions and ideas. I am grateful for Nathan and I highly recommend him.
Client
Nathan Seymour-Hyde was an amazing solicitor and person to speak with. He promptly responded to emails and WhatsApp messages. However, what was even greater was his amazing advice. He explained each issue with clarity and cohesion and was extremely understanding and considerate of the nuances. He went beyond the time frame of the consultation and did not rush or make me feel pressured at any point. He deals with the matter fast and we have got an amazing result. He is everything you want in a solicitor. I would highly recommend his service and this firm.
Client
Absolutely amazing service, I had Nathan Seymour-Hyde assist me. Very professional, willing to go the extra mile, couldn't fault. Thanks so much.
Client
Nathan Seymour Hyde thank you. You dealt with my case extremely professionally. You were prepared and put me at my ease when preparing me for court. I felt reassured in the way you handled everything. I would recommend you to anyone seeking a lawyer who not just knows his stuff but is very client centric and is very good with people.
Client
Nathan I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for all the hard work you did on my behalf. If it weren’t for your analytical skills and knowledge, the matter wouldn’t have been settled by now. Your legal expertise and professionalism went above and beyond my expectations throughout the course of my case and I cannot thank you enough for your assistance. You are an excellent solicitor and I really appreciate your passion, dedication and skilfulness.
Client
The solicitor Service that I received from Nathan was excellent. He acted quickly and decisively without wasting any time at all. The actions needed to be taken were perfectly simplified and explained to me and it allowed me to fully understand my role in solving my situation. Nathan was very kind and caring, having empathy for my situation which was a massive help through the whole process. His comprehensive knowledge of the situation I was in, put me at ease and made me confident that he was the right person to help me. He is an excellent solicitor and the service that I have received from the company was second to none.
Client