Nicola Hutchinson

Nicola has established herself as one of the leading sexual offences solicitors in the country dealing with sexual offences and is regularly instructed in matters involving rape, historic sexual offences and online sexual offences.

Nicola is a key guest speaker for ‘Accused’ an agency that supports individuals wrongfully accused of serious sexual offences. Nicola is presently only one of two lawyers the agency specifically recommends to people requiring assistance. https://accused.me.uk/falsely-accused-of-rape-or-sexual-assault/legal-advice/criminal-solicitors/

Nicola has an impressive record of early intervention in sexual offences cases during the Police Station stage and persuading the Crown Prosecution Service not pursuing a Prosecution. Nicola advocates for a pro-active and front foot approach to investigations and works tirelessly on cases to ensure they are in the best position possible to prevent the case not progressing to court.

An example of notable sexual offences cases Nicola has been involved with is as follows:

R v D (2024)

A rape allegation that was dealt with by way of no further action after pre-charge representations.

R v T (2024)

The client was acquitted after trial for sexual touching of a minor.

R v W (2024)

The client was acquitted after the trial for sexual assault with penetration.

R v H (2024)

The client was acquitted after the trial for rape of a minor.

R v A (2023)

The client was acquitted after trial for sexual assault with a minor.

R v B (2023)

The case was discontinued prior to trial after representations were made.

R v O (2022)

Discontinuance of a sexual assault charge after representations made prior to trial.

R v O (2017)

Nicola litigated this case in proceedings at Bristol Crown Court where her client was one of 10 involved in a conspiracy to rape minors. Client acquitted after trial.

Nicola’s recent work involves “Encrochat”, where she has significant experience of dealing with, multi-defendant drug conspiracies and international importation of drugs conspiracies. Nicola has rightfully earned her reputation as the “go-to” lawyer for such matters and is regularly instructed in the largest drug conspiracy and associate violence offences prosecuted in the U.K

Examples of notable cases are as follows:

R v G (2024)

Operation West: this case dealt with a conspiracy by an Organised Crime Group, regarding the wholesale supply of all class drugs across the Southwest area.

R v J (2024)

Operation Cetus: Nicola instructed in a large-scale drugs conspiracy throughout the UK by an Organised Crime Group based in the South Wales area.

R v R (2023)

Operation Venetic: this case involved the purchase and onward supply of cocaine at a multi-kilogram level, along with the same purchase and onward supply of other drugs. All defendants were linked to encrypted EncroChat devices, which were used to discuss the supply of drugs and the generation of significant sums of cash profit for the defendants as a result. It was suggested that there was both a domestic and an international dimension to the supply of drugs in this case.

R v F (2023)

Secured an acquittal for a youth charged with gang murder.

R v S (2021)

Encrochat case with issues of Modern Slavery.

R v Z (2020)

Secured an acquittal for a male alleged to have imported class A drugs through the postal system from USA.

R v P (2019)

Secured an acquittal for a youth aged 17 who was alleged to have imported firearms from Mexico.

R v R (2018)

Secured an acquittal for a youth aged 13 who was alleged to have committed s18 GBH by stabbing a female. Nicola challenged the identification of him that the Police had made from CCTV, and successfully excluded the evidence, the District Judge presiding having commented that this was the worst breach of the identification procedure she had ever come across.

R v M (2017)

Litigated on behalf of a client charged with conspiracy to import Class A drugs, despite his role as an undercover agent for SOCA.

Nicola is well respected in her work with high net worth individuals. Her private clients have included diplomats, celebrities, sports personalities and public figures. Her clientele also include business owners, company directors, doctors, lawyers, pilots and those with a reputation that requires safeguarding. With a wealth of experience, she is the trusted legal advisor to police officers, teachers and nurses. Nicola’s expertise lies in providing tailored legal solutions for both public figures and high net worth clients, ensuring their interests and reputations are meticulously protected.

R v O (2024)

Operation Estherville was a Prosecution by FCA. This is a high profile, complex and multi-defendant case. Our client is well known as she used to star in reality series The Only Way is Essex. The term ‘finfluencers’ has been coined as a phrase to describe social media personalities who use their platform to promote financial products and share insights and advice with their followers.

R v H (2024)

Operation Mitchell is an investigation into companies in Bristol which have been selling on finance, loaning and offering ‘call out cover’. It is suggested that two companies have evaded the regulatory requirements to be authorised persons and continued their business activities despite having their permissions revoked, or never having permissions in place.

R v E (2024)

Operation Defy is a criminal investigation into companies and individuals involved in a £252million Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) contract With the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), awarded via the Government’s ‘VIP Lane’ during the COVJD 19 pandemic. It is believed the suspects made misrepresentations with the intention of masking their significant profit extractions, failing to account for the appropriate tax on those extractions, instead (and in indication of the level of suspects’ dishonesty) purchasing multi-million-pound homes that ultimately stem from public funds, during a time of national, if not global crisis.

R v L (2024)

Operation Silver is a nationwide criminal investigation with defendants charged with participating in a fraudulent business conducting roofing work that was grossly overcharged, incompetently completed and not required in the first instance.  It is said the defendants laundered significant amounts of money.

R v O (2024)

Operation Estherville Operation Estherville is a Prosecution by FCA. This is a high profile, complex and multi-defendant case. Our client is well known as she used to star in reality series The Only Way is Essex.  The term finfluencers has been coined as a phrase to describe social media personalities who use their platform to promote financial products and share insights and advice with their followers.