Nick Johnson KC and Sean Smith Successfully Defend Former Solicitor in Fraudulent Trading Trial

November 20, 2023

Instructed by Lee-Anne Robins-Hicks at Howard & Byrne, Nick Johnson KC and Sean Smith successfully represented a former partner in a firm of solicitors and company director charged with £5m fraudulent trading. The allegation related to the preparation and drafting of trust products which were misrepresented to the public as guaranteeing protection of assets from care home fees.

After 10 weeks of prosecution evidence at Leeds Crown Court, Nick and Sean argued there was no case to answer, a submission which was accepted by the trial judge, who directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict. The trial continues against three remaining defendants.

Nick has a Tier 1 Silk ranking for Financial Crime in Chambers & Partners 2024 and is Head of Crime (Leeds) in chambers. As a former managing partner of a leading criminal law firm in Yorkshire, Sean has amassed significant experience in high level criminal cases, and is instructed in serious fraud cases nationwide.