Nicola Brown
Call 1998
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Overview
Nicola is an experienced family practitioner but she now practices exclusively in public law (care proceedings). She has a particular expertise in cases involving allegations of non-accidental injury, sexual abuse, chronic neglect and fabricated illness. Nicola acts for local authorities, parents, guardians and grandparents/interveners.
Specialist Profiles
Nicola began her career at the bar as a specialist personal injury/clinical negligence practitioner, which explains her passion for cases involving complex medical issues and the ease with which she processes medical evidence and cross examines experts. She has undertaken fact finding hearings involving significant injuries (including brain damage from shaking, skull fractures, multiple limb fractures, and death). She has a particular flair for analysing and simplifying complex medical evidence. She readily gets to grips with issues surrounding the causation of injury.
Nicola has a particular interest in jurisdictional issues having studied international law including conflicts of jurisdiction and law as part of her LLM. She recently appeared in the High Court in a complex case involving the exercise of the parens patriae jurisdiction. In this case, as well as in several others, Nicola appeared against leading counsel for other parties. The case necessitated the preparation of a skeleton argument dealing with complex case law. The timely preparation of comprehensive, high quality legal documents is another of Nicola’s strengths, having managed a paperwork heavy practice as a civil lawyer, regularly pleading complex cases, advising in writing and drafting legal arguments.
Nicola has always considered client care to be of the highest importance. She has often been commended for the way in which she puts her clients at ease and ensures that they understand their case. She is approachable, industrious and empathetic.
University of Leeds: LLB (Hons) 2:1
University of Manchester: LLM International Business Law (Distinction)
College of Law (BVC): VC
Legal 500 2025
‘Nicola is a determined and fearless advocate and strong cross-examiner. She has exceptionally good client skills and as an advocate is always very down-to-earth, pragmatic and sensible.’
Legal 500 2023
‘Nicola has an unrivalled ability to build rapport with vulnerable clients. She is the first choice for vulnerable clients. Her communications skills and compassion enable clients to be comfortable with her and enable clients to participate effectively in proceedings. Her written work and advocacy are very good.’
Recent Appraisal from Instructing Solicitor:
‘We were incredibly fortunate to have Nicola represent our local authority in what was a particularly complex and sensitive Non-Hague Convention jurisdiction case before the High Court.
From the very start, Nicola stood out for her calm, clear, and analytical approach. She took the time to break down complicated legal concepts, ensuring that every step and strategy was fully understood by the clients. Her guidance was always spot-on, not only legally robust, but also practical and realistic.
One of the things we valued most was her accessibility. No matter how busy the case became, she was always available to talk through issues, offer reassurance, and provide timely, thoughtful advice. That kind of support made a huge difference in what could otherwise have been a daunting process.
In court, she was everything we could hope for in an advocate, being precise, persuasive, and utterly in command of the detail. She presented the local authority’s case with clarity and confidence, and her preparation was meticulous. Nicola handled challenging situations with professionalism and composure. She faced unexpected issues head-on with skill and confidence, remaining calm and unfazed throughout.
It’s rare to find someone who combines such deep expertise with approachability and warmth, but Nicola does exactly that. We could not recommend her highly enough for her exceptional representation and unwavering commitment.’
D & Ors (Children), Re [2017] EWFC B87 (06 April 2017)
Care proceedings brought following the death of a child by drowning. Nicola acted for the local authority in a contested hearing to establish the culpability of the child’s mother and stepfather in respect of the child’s death.
Re Q (Skull Fracture: Proportionality) [2025] EWFC 209
Care proceedings brought following the death of a child, in circumstances where the Court determined that the it was not proportionate to litigate the cause of death.
A County Council v A Mother and Ors [2021] EWFC 104
Care proceedings brought following the death of the children’s father in circumstances where the mother was investigated for his murder.
A Local Authority v Mother & Ors [2025] EWHC 2078 (Fam)
Fact finding hearing following a young baby sustaining life threatening injuries. Allegations of shaking and other abusive mechanisms for injuries. Multiple experts reported on the case, including a Geneticist.
Re JK (Return Order Under Inherent Jurisdiction) [2025] EWCA Civ 1309
Family Law Bar Association
3 Recommendations
Legal 500 2025
Legal 500 2023
Recent Appraisal from Instructing Solicitor:
