What was your route into the profession?
I began my legal career as an assistant barrister’s clerk at what was then Lord Hailsham’s chambers, in the Inner Temple.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Between 2015 and 2018 I was behind RoadPeace’s judicial review of the government’s defective implementation of the European Motor Insurance Directives. It was a huge undertaking based on my research that exposed over 80 separate infringements of EU law that unjustly denied motor accident victims their proper compensatory entitlement. My research into Direct Effect was applied in Lewis v Motor Insurers' Bureau [2019] EWCA Civ 909 to good effect.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
Lord Bingham, for his evocation of the rule of law. After him, Gina Miller for seeking to preserve it.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I blame my inherently disorganised frame of mind on an artistic temperament. So I find the notion of losing myself for hours working on some grand composition rather appealing, even if the results would almost inevitably prove to be a disappointment.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
Rumpole of the Bailey, for reasons no lawyer need explain.
What change would you make to the profession?
To restore the political independence of the office of the Lord Chancellor.
How do you relax?
I love spending time with my two daughters and my wider family, hill walking, photography, history (of almost any epoch), listening to classical music and opera, good food and lots of wine.
Dr Nicholas Bevan is a multiple award-winning solicitor and partner at both Solicitors Title LLP and Broomhead & Saul solicitors. He is a nationally recognised presenter and a successful law reform campaigner. In 2017 he was awarded a doctorate in law for his ground-breaking research on EU and insurance law. He was senior counsel at an international law firm. He persuaded the government to pass emergency legislation sanctioning the video witnessing of wills in 2020 after executing the nation’s first video will during the COVID-19 lockdown.
