20 Questions with Simon Nicholls; The Exit Interview

After 43 years, how would you view your time as a criminal defence lawyer?

Subjectively, the best job in the world.

How has the law/system changed in the last 43 years?

It’s changed for the better and for worse. It’s better because individual rights are not singularly much better protected for defendants accused of a crime. It’s worse because we have over emphasised particular types of offences which has consequently made other offences less in the public focus when in fact all crimes should be treated seriously.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

The excitement of the unknown elements of being a criminal defence lawyer; you never know what is around the corner.

Which of your cases have you personally found most interesting?

I would struggle to say which of the cases I have dealt with I haven’t found interesting. Even the smallest, most insignificant cases can in fact have interesting elements to them and became far more challenging and exciting that can ever be recognised at the start of the case.

What has made you proud in your career?

The fact that I have probably helped tens of thousands of people have better lives.

What has been the best and worst moment of your career?

Best moments have been winning, worst moments have been losing.

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

Appearing in the civil courts and misunderstanding who I was representing and getting halfway through the case before I realised that I was actually for the other side. I explained myself to the district judge who told me not to stop because I was doing such a good job for the other side. Luckily, I still won because the other side had not turned up (this was in Chambers so not in front of anyone).

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start a career in criminal defence?

Don’t. (Unless you are absolutely committed to what you want to do).

What challenges do you see for defence lawyers and criminal justice in the future?

Artificial Intelligence.

When you’re on your feet in court, what are you thinking about?

Keeping intellectually flexible.

What are you most looking forward to in retirement?

Not having to deal with ‘jobsworths’ of which there are more and more.

[The Oxford English Dictionary?defines 'jobsworth's as '[a] person in authority (especially a minor official) who insists on adhering to rules and regulations or bureaucratic procedures even at the expense of common sense'.]

What will you miss most?

Defending people and changing their lives.

If you hadn’t been a lawyer, what would you have been?

Second hand-car salesman.

What do you have in your pockets?

Mobile phone, keys to the office and my wallet.

Golf or gardening?

Gardening as the least of two evils.

BBQ or baking?

Baking.

Line of duty or happy valley?

Neither, unless they’re in Danish with subtitles.

What would your luxury desert island item be?

A satellite phone so I can still get calls from people under arrest.

Pinstripes or country gent?

Pinstripes.

What’s next for you?

Silver fox male modelling.