‘An intellectual powerhouse in a very measured exterior. He offers an encyclopaedic brain and is the match for any silk.’
The Legal 500
Experience
Year of Call: 1996
Education
MA (Cantab)
Profile
Nicholas is the head of Chambers’ Financial Remedies Team. He practices exclusively in family finance, advising and representing in substantial asset and complex cases involving trusts, foreign assets, pre-nuptial agreements, inherited wealth, Schedule 1 Children Act and Inheritance Act claims.
He brings a sharp forensic analysis to complex financial disputes. Clients appreciate his clear and commercial advice, his approachable manner and his professionalism and skill in the courtroom. As the directories record, he remains calm under pressure whilst forcefully advancing his case.
Nicholas’s non-court dispute resolution and advisory work includes acting as a PFDR judge, advising both spouses jointly for The Divorce Surgery and advising upon and drafting pre- and post-marital agreements.
Nicholas is often instructed in cases involving a Chancery element, for example with third party beneficial ownership issues or personal or corporate insolvency. His reported cases with a significant Chancery aspect include Teasdale v Carter and Teasdale [2023] EWHC 490 (third party beneficial interests in property), Kliers & Anor v Kliers [2018] EWHC 3245 (Ch) (interplay between proceedings in the Chancery and Family Divisions), DW & Anor v CG [2016] EWHC 2695 (Fam) (insolvency, third party interests, priority of charges) and Arif v Anwar v Rehan [2015] EWHC 124 (Fam) and [2013] EWHC 624 (Fam) (beneficial interests in property and the interplay between Chancery and Family Divisions).
Nicholas has written and presented seminars for leading publishers and lectures widely to professional audiences.
Professional Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
South Eastern Circuit
Directories
‘Nicholas is one of those rare lawyers at the Bar, constantly evolving. He is very bright, more tactical and has a phenomenal memory. He is a go-to for financial claims.’
Legal 500, 2024
‘Nicholas has an excellent eye for detail, good on his feet and is a compelling advocate.’
Legal 500, 2023
‘Intelligent, detailed and great on his feet. ’
Legal 500, 2022
‘Is an intellectual powerhouse in a very measured exterior. In my view he is not as well-known as he should be, but that is changing as the large firms realise he offers an encyclopaedic brain and is the match for any silk.’
Legal 500, 2021
‘Is a tenacious advocate, sharp as a razor blade and a pleasure to watch in action.’
Legal 500, 2020
‘Has a fabulous eye for detail.’
Legal 500, 2019
‘Intelligent and very analytical.’
Legal 500, 2017
‘A first-class heavyweight junior, who is very subtle and composed, no matter how tricky the situation.’
Legal 500, 2016
Incorporation Details
Nicholas Fairbank is employed by and works on behalf of N Fairbank Barrister Ltd. N Fairbank Ltd is a limited company with registered number 11106118. The registered address is N Fairbank Ltd, 4 Paper Buildings, London EC4Y 7EX. Nicholas Fairbank and N Fairbank Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Bar Standards Board, for more details visit: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk