Nicola Maynard is a Partner and Head of the Prison Law department, she is based in our Milton Keynes office.
Having begun her legal career in criminal defence work in 2002, Nicola continues to maintain her criminal law expertise through her Duty Solicitor qualification, while focusing her practice on prison and immigration law.
Recognised as a leading specialist in prison law, Nicola represents clients nationwide and regularly attends prisons across England and Wales to take instructions, prepare cases and provide expert representation at Parole Board oral hearings. She advises on all aspects of prison law, including parole reviews, recalls, re-release applications, sentence progression and complex cases involving indeterminate sentence prisoners and those detained under the Mental Health Act.
Nicola is particularly known for her meticulous case preparation, strategic approach and ability to navigate the most complex matters. She frequently works alongside independent psychologists and psychiatrists, carefully scrutinising risk assessments and challenging recommendations where appropriate to achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients. She also has extensive experience representing vulnerable prisoners and individuals involved in specialist parole reviews, including those convicted under terrorism legislation.
As a natural communicator and dedicated advocate, Nicola has developed a strong reputation for building trusting relationships with clients from all walks of life. Her commitment, expertise and results-driven approach have led many clients to seek her representation time and again throughout their journey in the criminal justice system.
In addition to her casework, Nicola has successfully built and developed the firm’s Prison Law Department into a substantial nationwide practice. Under her leadership, the department has grown significantly, with a specialist team located across the country, enabling clients to access expert prison law representation wherever they are based.
More recently, Nicola has established the firm’s Private Immigration Department, drawing on her extensive advocacy, and client-care experience to support this practice area. The department advises clients throughout the UK on a broad spectrum of immigration matters, including family visas, spouse and partner applications, settlement and British citizenship applications, International Sportsperson visas, sponsor licence and right to work issues, deportation matters, immigration detention and immigration bail applications.
Nicola is committed to providing clear, practical advice to individuals, families and businesses navigating the UK immigration system, helping clients achieve positive outcomes in what can often be complex and life-changing circumstances.
Nicola has undertaken specialist training in psychological risk assessments, including HCR-20 assessments, and is a member of the Association of Prison Lawyers.
For legal advice and representation, contact Nicola Maynard through our contact page. Alternatively call 01908 926 060 or email [email protected]
Specialist Recall Solicitor
Nicola deals with a range of sentences, including determinate and indeterminate sentences. She understands how important it is to secure re-release and will work with her clients in order to find the best way to achieve this.
Recent and Notable Cases:
parole Board and b
A case of an IPP sentence recall in which an oral hearing was undertaken. Just prior to the hearing there were reports that the client had threatened to take staff hostage. Re-release was granted following the hearing.
Parole board and u
A determinate sentence prisoner who was recalled for non compliance at the Approved Premises. Nicola was able to submit detailed representations to the Parole Board which secured his re-release on the papers.
Parole board and k
This involved an IPP recall client. This client was recalled for allegations of further offences. Nicola worked with the client to take detailed instructions and prepare representations which mean that release was secured on the papers.
Parole Solicitor for People Detained Under the Mental Health Act – Lifers and IPPs
Nicola regularly assists with indeterminate sentence prisoners who are residing in secure units or have previous spend periods in secure units due to their mental health and require assistance with their Parole.
If the client still resides in the secure unit under the Mental Health Act and they have received a Conditional Discharge from the Mental Health Tribunal, their Parole review will commence. Or if they have been transferred back to prison from a secure unit. These matters are often extremely complex with medical reports, psychiatric and psychological reports.
Recent and Notable Cases:
parole board and p: lifer parole
Nicola assisted this client who was in a secure unit and had recently obtained a conditional discharge. She guided him through the process and represented him at the Oral Hearing. She secured his release to supported accommodation.
Parole board and k: ipp parole
Nicola assisted this client in securing release to a high dependency care home following a period of ill health.
parole board m: lifer parole
The client had been in a secure unit for most of his sentence and was transferred back to prison. Nicola assisted in the process, represented him at the hearing and secured a recommendation for transfer to Open conditions.
IPP Licence Termination Solicitor
Nicola is experienced in dealing with applications for termination of the IPP licence. She is fully updated with all of the reforms and the proposed reforms that related to the IPP sentence.
She regularly submits representations for the removal of the licence and represents the clients at the hearings if needed.
Recent and Notable Cases:
parole board and t
An IPP sentence prisoner who was released and in the community for ten years. They had previously had further charges whilst on licence that were subsequently dropped, the Probation officer took the decision not to recall at this stage. The matter was heard at an Oral Hearing and the Parole Board terminated the Licence.
parole v a
An IPP sentenced prisoner who was in the community for ten years and had a review of his IPP licence undertaken. The Parole Board considered the matter on the papers and took the decision that the Licence could be terminated.
Home Detention Curfew (TAG) Solicitor
Nicola often assists people who are eligible for early release under the HDC provisions. This can include those who are automatically eligible or those who come under the ‘exceptional circumstances’ criteria.
She is fully up to date with all of the policy reforms that have recently come into force with regards to HDC eligibility.
Recent and Notable Cases:
Application by r
The client was deemed unsuitable for HDC based on his sentence. He had made significant progress on his sentence, including completing a degree. Nicola assisted him with representations under the exceptional circumstances criteria and was successful in securing released on TAG.
Application by o
The client was eligible for release on HDC but had a couple of compliance issues while in custody. He requested assistance in writing representations in support of his application. Nicola assisted him with this and secured his early release on TAG.
Change of Name Specialist
Nicola regularly assists with those wishing to change their name. She will advise on the two methods of this and suggest the client’s best course of action.
Testimonials
I just wanted to highlight to you what an amazing job Nicola is doing, not just for her clients but also in terms of keeping me in the loop and supporting me and really going above and beyond. Everything has been done in a timely manner and done in the most professional way. She has done what no other solicitor has been prepared to do and really taken ownership of the case and restored our faith in the system again.
I could not be happier with the care and service we have received from Nicola and because of this my partner and I are both actively promoting her services with other prisoners. I am part of an online support group and I am actively recommending Nicola for a number of parole hearings.
We are very grateful for your support. Adil received confirmation this morning of his recategorisation to CAT D. Your guidance, expertise, and timely reminders were instrumental in achieving this outcome. Thank you for handling our queries with patience and professionalism throughout this process. This has been a difficult time for our family, and throughout the process, you treated us with remarkable courtesy, understanding, and empathy. Your patience in addressing our questions, your thoughtful guidance, and your reassurance at each stage have been invaluable to us. Thank you for everything.