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.
Publications and Press Highlights
- Prison Overcrowding: Full to Capacity – Law Society Gazette, September 2026. Nicola contributed expert commentary.
- The Process of Re-Categorisation Reviews
- Adjudications (‘Nickings’): What Are Your Rights?
- Recalled for New Allegations? What Now…
Recent and notable cases
Re-release secured following an IPP recall
Nicola represented an IPP prisoner who had been recalled to custody. Shortly before the oral hearing, reports emerged that the client had threatened to take staff hostage. Nicola represented the client at the hearing and secured their re-release.
Re-release secured on the papers following non-compliance
A determinate sentence prisoner was recalled following alleged non-compliance at approved premises. Nicola prepared detailed representations to the Parole Board and secured the client’s re-release without the need for an oral hearing.
Release secured on the papers following allegations of further offending
Nicola represented an IPP prisoner who had been recalled following allegations of further offences. She took detailed instructions and prepared representations which resulted in the client’s release being directed on the papers.
Release from a secure unit to supported accommodation
Nicola represented a life-sentenced prisoner who was detained in a secure unit and had obtained a conditional discharge from the Mental Health Tribunal. She guided him through the parole process, represented him at the oral hearing and secured his release to supported accommodation.
Release to a high-dependency care home
Nicola represented an IPP prisoner who had experienced a period of serious ill health. She secured his release to a high-dependency care home capable of meeting his needs.
Transfer to open conditions following detention in a secure unit
The client had spent most of his sentence in a secure unit before being transferred back to prison. Nicola represented him throughout the parole review and at the oral hearing, securing a recommendation for transfer to open conditions.
IPP licence terminated following an oral hearing
Nicola represented an IPP prisoner who had lived in the community for ten years. Although the client had previously faced further charges while on licence, those charges were discontinued and probation had decided not to recall him. Following an oral hearing, the Parole Board terminated his IPP licence.
IPP licence terminated on the papers
Nicola prepared representations for an IPP prisoner who had completed ten years in the community. The Parole Board considered the application on the papers and terminated the client’s licence without requiring an oral hearing.
Release on HDC under the exceptional circumstances criteria
The client had initially been deemed unsuitable for release on Home Detention Curfew because of the nature of his sentence. He had made significant progress in custody, including completing a degree. Nicola prepared representations under the exceptional circumstances criteria and secured his release on electronic monitoring.
HDC secured despite compliance concerns
The client was eligible for Home Detention Curfew but had experienced compliance difficulties while in custody. Nicola prepared representations addressing those concerns and secured his early release on electronic monitoring.
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.