Nicola Maynard is a Partner and Head of the Prison Law department, she is based in our Milton Keynes office. Although she started her career in criminal defence work in 2002, and still maintains her skills and knowledge in that area through her regular attendance at both the Magistrates Court and Police Station, Nicola specialises in dealing with all aspects of Prison law. Nicola deals with matters Nationwide and heads up a Team who are placed all around the Country so distance is not an issue.

Her role sees her routinely attending prisons throughout the UK to take instructions from clients; and drafting representations in support of re-release for recalls and in support of progression for Parole, as well as expertly representing her client’s interests at Oral Hearings.

As an experienced solicitor and natural communicator, Nicola has the ability to relate to clients from all walks of life. She has quickly built up a loyal following of clients who seek her out time and time again, not only for her specialist knowledge, but also for the genuine dedication they know she has to helping them achieve the best outcome possible.

Nicola fully appreciates how important the decisions of the Board are to her clients, and she diligently prepares her cases, challenging the recommendations for further work and seeking obtaining independent reports from expert psychologists and psychiatrists wherever necessary.

Nicola is often instructed to assist clients with the most complex of matters and is an expert at reading and digesting significant volumes of papers. She has been instructed on notable cases and also assists the more vulnerable clients. Especially those who are serving Indeterminate sentences but are serving them in secure units having been detained under the Mental Health Act. Once these clients find themselves securing Condition Discharges from the Mental Health Tribunal, Nicola is able to work with them to guide them through the Parole process to secure their release.

Nicola also has attended specialist training by psychologists relating to psychological risk assessments and understanding HCR20 assessments.

Nicola is also a member of the Association of Prison Lawyers.

In accordance with the Solicitors’ Regulatory Transparency Rules for motoring offences we confirm that Nicola Maynard charges Level B hourly rates.

For legal advice and representation, contact Nicola Maynard through our contact page. Alternatively call 01908 926 060 or email prisonlawmb@reeds.co.uk

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.