Appointments:
- Recorder
- Deputy High Court Judge (Queen's Bench Division)
- Middle Temple - Bencher, 2004
Areas of Specialism:
- Murder and Manslaughter
- Violent Crime
- Sexual Offences
- Rape
- Sexual Abuse
- Child Abuse
- Fraud
- Drug Related Crime
- Conspiracies
- Public Order
- Criminal Injury
- Fatal Accidents
- Industrial Disease
- Injuries at Work
- Road Traffic
- Health and Safety
Described in Legal 500 as "a well-known circuit heavyweight in serious crime", Ben has a wealth of experience in top level crime. During his 20 years in Silk he has led in over 100 murder cases, many of them gangland killings involving ballistics evidence both in the UK and in other Commonwealth jurisdictions.
Of particular interest are cases with an international co-operation element such as extradition and the use of evidence obtained abroad pursuant to Letters of Request and The Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 and its statutory predecessors. Ben has considerable experience in drugs smuggling cases involving massive importations into the UK and the alleged inducing of drug trafficking offences overseas.
He is considered to be a skilled cross-examiner of expert witnesses, particularly medical experts, and his skills have been deployed in alleged child killing cases (the so-called "shaken baby syndrome") and in trials involving psychiatric issues. Ben has been invited to review the medico-legal element of reference works on forensic psychiatry.
In his fraud practice Ben has developed a particular interest in food safety frauds and is instructed to advise on the regulatory aspects of food safety and the enforcement of food safety standards. In this respect, in particular, his practice crosses over from Crime to Regulatory and Civil Litigation, particularly in product liability cases.
He also undertakes Personal Injury claims involving catastrophic injuries and complex medical issues.
As well as practicing in Manchester, Ben has chambers in Newcastle, York, and London.
Criminal Law
Ben's criminal law practice includes;
- Business crime and regulatory law
- Child abuse and child destruction
- Criminal fraud and proceeds of crime
- Death by dangerous/careless driving
- Drugs offences and conspiracies
- Firearms and other offensive weapons
- Gangland and violent crime
- Mental health crime
- Murder and Manslaughter
- Rape and sexual offences
- White Collar and organised crime
During his 20 years in Silk, Ben has prosecuted and defended in a number of high-profile criminal cases. He has now led in over 100 murder cases, many of them gangland shootings.
He also has considerable expertise in food safety scandal cases. Ben is on the approved Serious Fraud Office Panel of Queen's Counsel.
Civil Litigation
Ben's civil law practice includes;
- Clinical and professional negligence
- Industrial injury and disease
- Personal injury
- Regulatory
Ben regularly advises and appears for Claimants in catastrophic injury civil claims where damage runs to millions of pounds, including clinical negligence and product liability cases.
Administrative and Public Law
Mr Nolan has substantial expertise in judicial review matters, particularly in the field of police powers and conduct and the treatment of prisoners.
Civil Litigation and Costs
Content
Sheffield R v Abel
Manslaughter by gross negligence (2014)
R v M (Nottingham)
Alleged Manslaughter of six children in Arson attack on home (February 2013)
R v S (Manchester)
Murder. Alleged Matricide (January 2013)
R v R (Manchester)
Murder. 'Shaken Baby Syndrome' (January 2013)
R v T (Manchester)
Murder reduced to Manslaughter (December 2012)
R v K.A. (Manchester)
Alleged Murder as part of gang attack on nightclub. Successful submission of 'no case to answer' overturned by Court of Appeal on Terminating Ruling Appeal under S.58 C.J.A. 2003. Defendant acquitted of Murder by jury when trial resumed. (October 2012 - February 2013)
R v Michael Parr (Newcastle)
Defendant already serving life sentence. Murder of fellow prison inmate alleged to be a 'nonce'. Aspects of cannibalism alleged as motive and modus. (July 2012)
R v Tomlinson (Manchester)
Defence. Client acquitted of Child Destruction after trial. (December 2012)
R v Maxwell (Leeds)
Prosecution. Re-trial of Murder 14 years after event following successful appeal to Court of Appeal on reference by CCRC and further Appeal to Supreme Court. Appellant convicted again. (June 2011)
R v M (Manchester)
Diminished Responsibility under the new legislation (March 2011)
