Nick Vamos
The former Head of Special Crime and Head of Extradition at the Crown Prosecution Service, Nick has unique expertise and insight into complex, international, high-profile and sensitive criminal matters.
In Chambers 2024, Nick is described as a brilliant lawyer who is great at managing client expectations", and in Legal 500 2024, one client said "Nick is a fantastic lawyer whose modesty and charm belies his high-profile and his incredible client list".
Nick has over 20 years of criminal law experience focused on international, high-profile and sensitive matters.
Nick led the team the team advising Boris Johnson in respect of allegations that he misled Parliament over “Partygate” and appeared alongside the former Prime Minister, in March 2023, during his questioning at the UK Parliament’s Privileges Committee. Nick continues to represent Mr Johnson in the Covid Inquiry.
Before joining the firm, Nick was Head of Special Crime at the Crown Prosecution Service, overseeing the most complex casework in the CPS including corporate manslaughter, election fraud, police corruption, medical manslaughter and deaths in police custody. Prior to that, Nick held the three most senior international prosecution posts: Head of Extradition; Head of the UK Central Authority for Mutual Legal Assistance; and liaison prosecutor in Washington DC, where he worked closely with the Department of Justice on UK/US investigations.
Nick now applies his unique insight and expertise on behalf of clients across the full range of business and general crime. He acts for individuals in high-profile extradition, INTERPOL Red Notice and mutual legal assistance cases, as well as fraud, money laundering, export controls and related offences. Nick also represents clients accused of sexual offences, especially in connection with their employment. Nick’s advice is routinely sought by individuals and corporations looking to bring or defend private prosecutions and, since January 2020, he has been representing the Post Office in the largest series of criminal appeals in UK legal history.
"He brings a completely well-rounded view to his cases; he knows how the other side will react and view the case." (Chambers 2024 Extradition).
"He is unflappable and understands the difference between the law, the strategy and the detail of a case." (Chambers 2024 Financial Crime: Private Prosecutions).
Nick is ranked in Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2023 (Financial Crime: High Net Worth Individuals), with the guide noting that: "Nick Vamos is absolutely exceptional. The embodiment of unflappable, Vamos has the complete skill set for serious financial and corporate crime. His experience from his time at the CPS gives him an unparalleled expertise in cross-border work, corporate corruption and in private prosecutions for high net worth individuals. Moreover, he has superb strategic and tactical instincts".
"Nick Vamos – former barrister – is outstandingly good. Formidably bright, excellent with clients and an all-round first division lawyer. He stays involved right through to trial, watching the team like a hawk". (Legal 500 2024 Crime: General).
"Get Nick Vamos to lead the team and you could not be in safer hands. The Rolls Royce of general crime firms, in my view". (Legal 500 2024 Crime: General).
"Nick Vamos had years of experience with the CPS and he now uses this on behalf of his clients. He is a superb lawyer and tactician". (Legal 500 2024 Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime Advice).
Nick is Top Recommended by the Spear’s 500 index of the best criminal lawyers for high-net-worth-individuals in the UK.
In February 2023, Nick was interviewed for Legal Business’ Life During Law column and spoke about how he came to the law and his career to date.
In December 2022, Nick was featured as The Times' Lawyer of the Week, for representing pro bono the family of Harry Dunn, in the prosecution of Anne Sacoolas, the US government official who had killed the teenager in 2019 by careless driving and received an eight-month suspended sentence.
Case examples
Representing former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson in respect of allegations that he misled Parliament over “Partygate”.
Acting for Post Office Limited in what has been described as the largest miscarriage of justice in UK legal history.
Acting pro bono for the family of Harry Dunn to secure the prosecution of Anne Sacoolas, who fled the UK claiming diplomatic immunity, on charges of death by dangerous driving.
Securing the acquittal of a high-net-worth individual accused of raping his ex-girlfriend
Representing a major international engineering company in an HMRC investigation into multimillion pound export control breaches. Nick oversaw an extensive internal investigation and self-report leading to and a 95% reduction in penalty.
Securing the deletion of INTERPOL Red Notices for multiple clients, including a very high profile Middle-Eastern politician accused of corruption; two former owners of a large private Russian bank charged with embezzlement and fraud; the former CEO of a major UAE construction company involved in a multimillion-pound commercial dispute; the director of a UK and UAE-incorporated money services business with international operations; and four members of a high-net-worth Indian family accused of fraud following a business dispute with a foreign government body.
Successfully discharged the extradition request in the leading case on Russian prison conditions and assurances (Russian Federation v Olga Egorova).