Nick Holroyd, Partner

• Email:n.b.holroyd@rjw.co.uk
• Telephone:016 1383 3555
• Office: Manchester
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Expertise

Nick is a Partner and head of the Criminal and Investigations department in Manchester and the North of England. He specialises in all areas of criminal work and has been involved in the representation of individuals in high-profile prosecutions by the police and other agencies, including the Revenue and Customs and Health & Safety Executive.

Experience

Experienced mainly in criminal defence with particular experience in complex fraud and regulatory cases. Last year represented Miles Rodgers, a Yorkshire business man charged with conspiracy to defraud the Betfair internet betting exchange. The case attracted considerable publicity given that Rodgers was charged together with a number of jockeys including champion jockey Kieran Fallon. All the defendants were acquitted after a lengthy trial at the Old Bailey. This was one of the largest race fixing trials ever to be brought before the courts

Has recently been involved in the defence of prosecutions by HM Revenue and Customs in connection with allegations including Missing Trader VAT fraud including Operation Maypole a 60 million pound fraud and currently is advising an accused in Operation Vaunter. Also experience in representing defendants in other areas of revenue fraud including tobacco importation and has substantial experience of representing defendants in prosecutions brought by the Serious Fraud Office. He lead the Manchester team in defending a businessman accused of a multi million pound bank factoring fraud and is currently advising in connection with a number of share or so called boiler room frauds involving substantial sums of money and being investigated by the police and the SFO.

He has recently represented an insurance broker in a lengthy trial at Guildford resulting in the defendant’s acquittal on a multiple count indictment of initially 54 counts alleging theft and false accounting. Currently represents an accountant charged with a number of counts of false accounting related to misuse of client’s investments.

In addition to building his reputation in fraud defence he is also highly regarded for his work in professional discipline and inquiry work having represented parties in high profile inquests and public inquiries. Involvement in the Hillsborough Inquests arising from the football disaster in 1989, The Ashworth Hospital Inquiry, North Wales Child Abuse Inquiry and more recently the Shipman Inquiry have cemented his experience and reputation in this field. Currently involved in advising in connection with the ongoing Redfern Inquiry in to the use of human tissue for research in the nuclear industry.

Has developed considerable experience in both prosecution and defence of health and safety at work investigations and proceedings. Has successfully represented a number of individuals prosecuted by the Police and the Health and Safety Executive arising from fatal industrial accidents.

Mainly concerned with providing representation and defence in complex and difficult cases often those attracting publicity both at a national and local level.

Education

Nick articled at J Levi & Co and qualified in 1984. He then went on to be assistant solicitor at Willey Hargrave Solicitors and Ake Moore & Co until he joined Russell Jones & Walker in 1987. Where he became partner in 1988.

Nick sat his Law Society Finals in 1982, following a BA Hons in Law from Leeds Polytechnic.

Professional Memberships

Nick remains a panel solicitor for the Freight Transport Association and has substantial experience in representation in cases brought by the VOSA and before the transport commissioners, including public inquiries.