Nathan Palmer

R v Ali and others (part of Operation Radium) (2024) – Inner London Crown Court. Prosecution of four defendants charged with courier fraud which targeted vulnerable, normally elderly victims, by calling on the telephone and persuading them to hand over substantial amounts to couriers who pretended to be police officers. By the time the case was tried, two of the victims had died and their video recorded evidence was adduced as hearsay. The case involved detailed evidence and legal argument about the appropriate protocols and the relevance of ISO 17025 accredited facilities for the taking and management of DNA swabs from exhibits including mobile telephones and their components. Live evidence was called on a voir dire from the Director of Forensic Services for the City of London Police. There was extensive contested expert evidence. The case included the clear presentation of a large amount of financial data. The principal defendant was convicted and received substantial sentence of imprisonment as well as confiscation proceedings which concluded in 2025.

Rex v L (2024) – Aylesbury Crown Court. Representing a high-profile defendant charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to do so. The seriously injured party was his partner who did not support the prosecution. The prosecution decided to attempt to proceed without her being called as a witness and applied to adduce body warn video evidence of an early account to police and linked images of injuries. This evidence was excluded after successful written and oral legal submissions based in part on Attorney General’s Reference (No. 1 of 2003) [2003] 2 Cr. App. R. 29.  After the legal rulings, all in favour of the defence, the defendant was discharged without a trial.

R v Vatamanu and others (2023) – Nathan Palmer leading Liz Muir defended a women charged with conspiracy to control prostitution for gain and money laundering offences. After an 8-week trial at Southwark Crown Court, the defendant was acquitted of all counts. The allegations initially included modern slavery offences, these offences were, however, withdrawn after successful defence representations. There were also full written and oral legal submissions on the appropriate use of a single ‘rolled-up’ money laundering count to cover a course of conduct over years involving thousands of transactions. Nathan led the defence submissions criticizing the prosecution approach to the count. These submissions were preferred by the trial Judge and the indictment had to be substantially redrafted shortly before the close of the prosecution case. Nathan and Liz were instructed by Mayfairs Law.

R v Peacock (2023) – At the Central Criminal Court, led by Richard Barracough KC, defending in the trial of the double murderer Lee Peacock who compiled a list of drug dealers to be assassinated or executed in north London.

R v Bhadresa (2022) – POCA proceedings, at Leicester Crown Court. The prosecution sought a confiscation order for £83,000. After a detailed analysis of the evidence by the defence counsel the prosecution accepted that the appropriate figure was £3,400.

R v O and others (2022) Southwark CC – Nathan, acting alone, represented a defendant charged with conspiracy to evade more than £1 million of UK duty on cigarettes. The defendant was acquitted after an 8-week trial.

R v CP (2018) – At Leicester Crown Court. Junior, led by Mary Prior QC, defending in two-handed murder trial. Cut-throat defence. Defendant acquitted of murder, convicted of manslaughter.

Mr. Palmer’s calm demeanor and legal knowledge ensured the right outcome under immense pressure. I look forward to working with him again.Senior solicitor 2025

I am truly grateful for the fantastic result you have achieved.Defence solicitor, May 2021

I don’t write this email purely on the back of the result that was obtained yesterday. In fact I would have sent this very same email had the result been 6 or 8 years imprisonment. Mr Palmer immersed himself into hours of CCTV footage, statements, unused material and defence documents within only a matter of days and fully understood the case. He was then able to propose a viable alternative offence to the Crown, which, despite the opinions of co-accused Counsel, was accepted. All of this whilst giving meaningful and robust advice to the client so that the case could reach a resolution. As a Solicitor, Counsel’s engagement with me and my client is equally as important as what happens in the Court room and I am extremely grateful for Mr Palmer’s assistance with this case. Solicitor, Leicester (November 2018)

As a Senior Solicitor with longstanding relationships with a select group of Barristers, I’ve often been hesitant to trust someone new. However, working with Mr Palmer has shown me the value of broadening my perspective. Mr Palmer handled my client’s complex assault case with exceptional skill. He took the time to ensure I understood key legal issues, and his arguments, both in writing and in court, were outstanding. Thanks to his expertise, my client’s case was resolved without going to a jury, and the charges were dismissed. Mr. Palmer’s calm demeanour and legal knowledge ensured the right outcome under immense pressure. I look forward to working with him again.Solicitor