Jack Nicholls

Jack specialises in complex and high value personal injury and clinical negligence cases with a particular focus on public transport, logistics and rail claims. He acts for many train operating companies including claims for collision damage, level crossing accidents and bridge strikes as well as for injuries and disability discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. He represents claimants and defendants in multi-track claims in the County Court, High Court and the Court of Appeal.

He also acts in regulatory matters and tribunals associated with his main areas of practice, such as Health and Safety prosecutions, disciplinary hearings and professional negligence claims. Jack is able to manage cases where there are connected proceedings in more than one tribunal which run concurrently or consecutively. He is greatly experienced at representing families and other interested persons at inquests. He has a straightforward but empathetic approach and is often instructed in any legal claims which arise out of the inquest conclusion (for example for clinical negligence).

Jack’s clear and considered advice and effective advocacy means that he is often reinstructed by solicitors. He is approachable and supportive, and is frequently sought out to provide a sounding board or second opinion in particularly difficult matters. Solicitors say “he is awesome and tackles complex issues like cutting cake“.

Notable cases:

• Popovici v. MacDuff Shellfish (Scotland) Limited (The Vertrouwen) (2020): Acted in Admiralty Court fatal accident claim for family of one of the three men killed in a fishing boat collision off Shoreham, securing a (confidential) settlement.
• Bridge v. Halton Borough Transport Ltd (2015): Pinpointed ambiguity in application of law, acting for bus company which was not liable for injuries caused to elderly passenger, as vehicle pulled away after boarding.
• Reynolds v. Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway Company Limited (2015): Acted for successful Claimant on liability of heritage railway for burns suffered by pedestrian due to emission of sparks and embers by passing steam locomotive.
• Walls v. London Eastern Railway Limited [2014] EWCA 4724 (QB): Navigated complex issues of causation and extent of spinal injury, as well as role of medical expert. Acted on three-day High Court hearing on quantum before Nigel Wilkinson QC, cross examining Claimant and
  medical expert, limiting Claimant to minimal damages and securing costs order in favour of Defendant.
• Butcher v. Southend on Sea Borough Council [2014] EWCA Civ 1556: Occupiers’ liability claim, which reiterated that each case turns on its facts. Addressed system of inspection and won for Claimant at first instance, upheld at CoA the Court noting that relevant factors in Clerk & Lindsell on Torts were ‘not a checklist’.
• Bartlett v. Cleveland Bridge Limited (2007): Acted for Defendant on application to lift stay and strike out claim where Claimant believed to have subsequently committed suicide but neither proved nor presumed.
• Ferron v. Metroline Travel Limited [2002] EWCA Civ 385: No contributory negligence in pedestrian running into path of bus
• Tengerakis v. Haringey L.B.C. LTL 13.06.00 (C.A.): No evidence of fraud in consideration of planning permission application.
• Stroh v. Haringey L.B.C. LTL 13.07.99 (C.A.): Circumstances where appropriate to refuse permission to call any evidence.
• Oakley v. Rawlinson (1998) P.I.Q.R. P161 (C.A.): Relevance of admission of liability to automatic directions.