Nicola has an extensive practise and experience in all area of Employment Law. She represents both Claimants and Respondents in equal measure and is instructed from a variety of sources, including individuals, small undertakings, regional and nationwide companies and the public sector extending to the Police, Local Authority, NHS and PC Trusts. She has also acted for a number of firms of solicitors in claims brought against them.

She regularly appears in the Employment Tribunal, on matters ranging from application hearings to multi day cases, and she has appeared in the Employment Appeal Tribunal on numerous matters also. In recent years a number of her EAT cases have been reported.

Nicola has recently been involved in a large number of multi day constructive dismissal and discrimination claims, and is recognised for her expertise in this area.

In addition to representation in tribunals, Nicola:

– Undertakes both advisory and drafting work. Nicola drafts and advises on compromise agreements and has been involved in the negotiation, on direct access basis, of terms of settlement on the termination of employment in a number of cases;

– Represents parties in employment mediations, both judicial and non judicial. She finds her client care skills and pragmatic approach are well suited to achieving a good outcome for the client.

Nicola is accredited to take instructions on a direct access basis and is happy to do so where cases are suitable for instruction on this basis. In recent years she has seen significant growth in her direct access instructions.

“Nicola Twine has attracted acclaim as a barrister practising in areas including wrongful dismissal, discrimination and other employment law topics.”
“Her advocacy skills are excellent, she is clearly well prepared, and she has a very good manner with clients.” Chambers & Partners Recommendation

Nicola has a busy First Tier Tribunal practice, as a well established senior junior who undertakes Employment Law and is part of the Education Law Team.

Nicola regularly accepts instructions on behalf of local authorities, governing bodies of schools, colleges and universities and individuals. She is personable and works well with clients and witnesses, making her well suited to the sensitive issues in Education cases.

Nicola has wider experience of SEND as she was, until recently, Vice Chair of a school Governing Body and designated SEND link governor.

Nicola has undertaken a range of education cases. Recent SENDIST cases have involved disputes around:

• assessment of need and decision not to issue an EHCP;
• EOTAS/ home education for a child who had not been attending school;
• sensory profiles as special education provision.

Nicola is an established civil fraud practitioner, regularly instructed in cases where civil fraud is alleged or suspected.  She has significant experience of cases including: contrived road-traffic collisions, low-velocity-impact (LVI), exaggeration of loss (RTA and EL), phantom passengers.

She is routinely instructed to:

• draft pleadings (including where a robust defence is required alleging fraud and/ or fundamental dishonesty as appropriate);
• to advise on issues and evidence;
• conduct interim applications;
• represent at trial (on both fast and multi track cases);
• conduct conferences in order to test the veracity and reliability of evidence of both lay and expert witnesses in cases where fraud is alleged or suspected.

Nicola has experience of obtaining costs against Claimant’s in QOCS cases with finding of fundamental dishonestly and also costs orders against third parties. (see in Foxcroft v Flaherty & Tesco Underwriting [2015]) in which Nicola was successful in joining the credit hire company (Accident Exchange Limited) to proceedings and obtaining a third party costs order against them, pursuant to s.51 SCA, for 80% of the costs of the trial).

Recent examples include, finding of fundamental dishonesty:

• Upon application at a hearing following the discontinuance of the claim;
• On application at trial following C non attendance:
  • Submissions were made on the documentary evidence before the court
  • The court was persuaded that it could be satisfied C brought the claim for financial gain and without regard to his information being consistent. It was accepted as riddled with material inconsistencies
  • FD was found enabling recovery of D insurer costs.
• At trial on an EL claim where there had been gross exaggeration of the care claim:
  • The care claim made up 30% of the value of the claim
  • Comparison was made with London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games.
• On submissions after Judgment on an RTA, where operation of s.57 CJA was also established:
  • D insurer was not indemnifying policy holder due to concerns consequent to a linked RTA
  • C1 and C2 were claiming PI, vehicle repair, and treatment costs
  • Merits had been assessed on the basis claim could go either way
  • Both C1 and C2 gave satisfactory evidence to discharge burden in establishing that the accident occurred but their evidence on quantum was woeful in response to robust xx
  • The claim for medical treatment was suspicious and there were many oddities and peculiarities that were seized upon in the injury claims
  • The DJ was invited to consider and follow Molodi. He found that the evidence was beyond questionable, that there had been an accident but that the Cs had ‘jumped on the bandwagon; and that the PI and treatment claims were fabricated
  • The vehicle repair claim could survive but there was no recovery
  • The Cs were ordered to pay D costs on disapplication of QOCs.

In addition in fraud proceedings Nicola has obtained ‘show cause’ orders and ‘wasted costs’ orders against legal advisors.

Nicola Twine is an established credit hire and civil fraud practitioner, with significant experience of cases including: contrived road-traffic collisions, low-velocity-impact (LVI), exaggeration, phantom passengers, and fraud rings.

She is regularly instructed to draft pleadings (Defences/ Part 18 Requests, Counter Schedules), acting for insurers where fraud is positively alleged as well as in suspicious cases where a robust defence is required, to advise on issues and evidence, conduct interim applications, and to appear at trial (on both fast and multi track cases).

Nicola conducts conferences in order to test the veracity and reliability of evidence of both lay and expert witnesses in cases where fraud is alleged or suspected. She is able to do so remotely, where required.

Nicola has experience of obtaining costs against Claimant’s in QOCS cases with finding of fundamental dishonestly and also costs orders against third parties. In the matter of Foxcroft v Flaherty & Tesco Underwriting [2015] Nicola was successful in joining the credit hire company (Accident Exchange Limited) to proceedings and obtaining a third party costs order against them, pursuant to s.51 SCA, for 80% of the Defendant’s costs of the trial.

Recent examples of fundamental dishonesty findings in cases Nicola has advised on and represented to trial include:

Finding of FD following C service of notice of discontinuance:

• C discontinued 7 months after Amended Defence had been served pleading fraud
  Fraud alleged was induced RTA, phantom passengers, injury causation. Nicola drafted the robust Amended Defence setting out wider concerns as to veracity
  D had secured permission to rely upon the Amended Defence and Engineering evidence
  At the hearing, simply to determine the issue of FD, C attended as was cross examined.

Finding of FD in an RTA claim on application at trial following C non attendance:

• Submissions were made on the documentary evidence before the court
  The court was persuaded that it could be satisfied C brought the claim for financial gain and without regard to his information being consistent. It was accepted as riddled with material inconsistencies
  FD was found enabling recovery of D insurer costs.

Finding of FD in an EL claim where there had been gross exaggeration of the care claim:

• The care claim made up 30% of the value of the claim
  Comparison was made with London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games.

Finding of FD and operation of s.57 CJA in an RTA where:

• D insurer was not indemnifying policy holder due to concerns consequent to a linked RTA
  C1 and C2 were claiming PI, vehicle repair, and treatment costs
  Merits had been assessed on the basis claim could go either way
  Both C1 and C2 gave satisfactory evidence to discharge burden in establishing that the accident occurred but their evidence on quantum was woeful in response to robust xx
  The claim for medical treatment was suspicious and there were many oddities and peculiarities that were seized upon in the injury claims
  The DJ was invited to consider and follow Molodi. He found that the evidence was beyond questionable, that there had been an accident but that the Cs had ‘jumped on the bandwagon; and that the PI and treatment claims were fabricated
  The vehicle repair claim could survive but there was no recovery
  The Cs were ordered to pay D costs on disapplication of QOCs.

Nicola’s insurance fraud work is solely on behalf of Defendant insurer clients.

Nicola specialises in serious personal injury and clinical negligence claims. She has a busy clinical negligence practise, and regularly:

• Drafts Particulars of Claim, Schedules of Loss, Part 35 Questions, and Agendas for experts;
• Advises on quantum;
• Conducts conferences with clients and experts;
• Advises on liability/ merits in a wide range of matters;

In addition, Nicola is an effective negotiator and represents clients at mediation, RTMs, and JSMs. Due to C-19 she has successfully adapted to doing so remotely.

She is analytical and thorough in her approach to cases, able to respond to evolving evidence, but importantly caring and able to work well with clients, in managing expectations and explaining complicated aspects of claims. She is very personable and well suited to the sensitive issues in clinical negligence cases.

Nicola has extensive experience across a wide range of clinical negligence cases, in claims against: GPs, nurses, doctors, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals. She has particular experience dealing with:

• Delayed diagnosis of cancer and other conditions (both life threatening and non);
• Claims arising from surgical accidents;
• Negligent cosmetic surgery;
• Erroneous or delayed treatment or diagnosis of orthopaedic injuries;
• Ophthalmalogical negligence;
• Failed sterilisation and negligence in relation to fertility treatment and reproductive organs (male and female).

Nicola’s is instructed in high value complex cases. She has achieved large settlements in many of cases she has pleaded and advised on.

She accepts clinical negligence work on a CFA basis.

Examples of recent and current cases include:

S v Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (2021) 

Still birth claim arising from failure to carry out a timely caesarean section following PROM. Significant psychological injuries. Admission of liability for Claimant, following issue of proceedings drafted by Nicola. Significant settlement achieved for the Claimant following representation at JSM (conducted remotely).

C v P (2020)

Claim concerning failure to obtain consent for hysterectomy and mesh surgery. Advice provided in respect of the merits and quantum. Settlement achieved following.

C v H (2020)

Fatal claim following failure to treat heart condition. Schedule of Loss drafted and advice provided on quantum, leading to significant settlement for the widow and approval of child dependants claims.

C v South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2019) 

Pressure sores claim. Nicola acted for the estate of the Deceased. Breach and causation were in issue. The claim was settled following well placed Part 36 offer Nicola advised upon.

MJ v C (2021)

Ophthalmological and life changing injuries following delay in diagnosing venous sinus thrombosis. Partial admissions of breach and causation secured. Settlement achieved at JSM.

B V H (2022)

Delayed diagnosis of breast cancer, following negligent reporting of ultrasound, complicated by significant deterioration of condition due to development of distant metastases shortly before listed for trial. Split trial succesfully obtained on NT advice and application. Settlement achieved at JSM.

M v N (2022)

Stillbirth claim. Liability admitted for breach of duty following issue. Disputes as to survival and extent of injury. Merits assessment and quantum advice provided. Settlement achieved.

R v O & R (ongoing)

Delayed diagnosis of retrosternal goitre. Action against GPs. Alleged that but for the delay she would have required less invasive treatment surgery and would have had better outcome.

E v H (2021) 

Alleged surgical negligence following elective plastic surgery, failed penoplasty. Allegations extend to failure to obtain adequate consent and substandard surgery resulting in poor cosmetic outcome. Claim complicated by unusual nature of operation. Settlement achieved.

Experienced in all aspects of personal injury litigation. Nicola undertakes work for both Claimants and Defendants, and is largely instructed in multi and fast track work. She has particular experience in the following areas:

Employer’s liability

All aspects of employer’s liability claims. Regularly receives instructions for both Claimants and Defendants. Often instructed on cases involving multiple Defendants. Experience in cases of assault (representing carers and other employees in hospitals and residential settings, as well as employers such as GP practices and NHS trusts defending cases).

Nicola’s knowledge and experience of employment law complements her practise in this area.

Public/ Product, Occupiers’ liability and Highways/ Local Authority cases

Regularly instructed to deal with claims in these fields. Nicola can provide wide ranging advice in relation to all issues of liability and quantum.

Nicola is instructed by many local authorities in the North. Her experience in representing the authorities extends beyond highways and employers liability cases to include more specialist areas such as nuisance in subsidence cases and above ground tree negligence cases. She carries out site visits, where required, and conducts conferences with witnesses, advising on the merits, and appropriate Defences, as well as representing at hearings.

Disease and serious injury

Represents in HAVS, WRULDS, and RSI cases.

Regularly deals with chronic pain type cases. Recent experience extends to high value CRPS and fibromyalgia claims, each with a number of experts and surveillance evidence.

Road Traffic, Motor Insurance and Fraud

Regularly instructed in cases where fraud is alleged or suspected on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants. Experience extending to: staged and induced accidents, LVI, bogus passengers, and exaggerated claims.

Nicola routinely receives instructions: to test the strength of Defendant driver’s evidence in conference, to assess documentary evidence to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to allege fraud, to advise on liability, draft pleadings, and to represent both Claimants and Defendants at trial.

Fraud/ Fundamental dishonesty (see also civil fraud)

Nicola has been successful in establishing fraud in cases she has pleaded and in obtaining findings of fundamental dishonesty on cases. In addition she has obtained Third Party costs orders in credit hire cases.

Recent examples include:

Finding of fundamental dishonesty in an EL claim where there had been gross exaggeration of the care claim:

• • The care claim made up 30% of the value of the claim
  • Comparison was made with London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games.

Finding of fundamental dishonesty and operation of s.57 CJA in an RTA where:

• • D insurer was not indemnifying policy holder due to concerns consequent to a linked RTA
  • C1 and C2 were claiming PI, vehicle repair, and treatment costs
  • Merits had been assessed on the basis claim could go either way
  • Both C1 and C2 gave satisfactory evidence to discharge burden in establishing that the accident occurred but their evidence on quantum was woeful in response to robust xx
  • The claim for medical treatment was suspicious and there were many oddities and peculiarities that were seized upon in the injury claims
  • The DJ was invited to consider and follow Molodi. He found that the evidence was beyond questionable, that there had been an accident but that the Cs had ‘jumped on the bandwagon; and that the PI and treatment claims were fabricated
  • The vehicle repair claim could survive but there was no recovery
  • The Cs were ordered to pay D costs on disapplication of QOCs.

MIB

Nicola has experience of bringing claims against the MIB. She has drafted schedules, advised on applications, and drafted submissions appealing interim awards on arbitration.

Further, as part of her practice Nicola:

• Accepts work on a private and CFA basis;
• Has been direct access accredited since 2004;
• Undertakes in-house drafting of pleadings and advices for a number of nationwide firms;
• Carries out ‘clinic’ sessions at solicitor’s firms advising on wide ranging matters;
• Provides lectures and seminars to solicitors and insurer clients;
• Represents at JSMs and mediations.

Nicola is an established credit hire and civil fraud practitioner, with significant experience of cases including: contrived road-traffic collisions, low-velocity-impact (LVI), exaggeration, phantom passengers, and fraud rings.

She is regularly instructed to draft pleadings (Defences/ Part 18 Requests, Counter Schedules), acting for insurers where fraud is positively alleged as well as in suspicious cases where a robust defence is required, to advise on issues and evidence, conduct interim applications, and to appear at trial (on both fast and multi track cases).

Nicola conducts conferences in order to test the veracity and reliability of evidence of both lay and expert witnesses in cases where fraud is alleged or suspected. She is able to do so remotely, where required.

Nicola has experience of obtaining costs against Claimant’s in QOCS cases with finding of fundamental dishonestly and also costs orders against third parties. In the matter of Foxcroft v Flaherty & Tesco Underwriting [2015] Nicola was successful in joining the credit hire company (Accident Exchange Limited) to proceedings and obtaining a third party costs order against them, pursuant to s.51 SCA, for 80% of the Defendant’s costs of the trial.

Recent examples of fundamental dishonesty findings in cases Nicola has advised on and represented to trial include:

• Finding of FD following C service of notice of discontinuance: C discontinued 7 months after Amended Defence had been served pleading fraud
  Fraud alleged was induced RTA, phantom passengers, injury causation. Nicola drafted the robust – Amended Defence setting out wider concerns as to veracity. D had secured permission to rely upon the Amended Defence and Engineering evidence. At the hearing, simply to determine the issue of FD, C attended as was cross examined.
• Finding of FD in an RTA claim on application at trial following C non attendance: Submissions were made on the documentary evidence before the court – The court was persuaded that it could be satisfied C brought the claim for financial gain and without regard to his information being consistent. It was accepted as riddled with material inconsistencies. FD was found enabling recovery of D insurer costs.
• Finding of FD in an EL claim where there had been gross exaggeration of the care claim: The care claim made up 30% of the value of the claim Comparison was made with London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games.
• Finding of FD and operation of s.57 CJA in an RTA where: D insurer was not indemnifying policy holder due to concerns consequent to a linked RTA. C1 and C2 were claiming PI, vehicle repair, and treatment costs. Merits had been assessed on the basis claim could go either way. Both C1 and C2 gave satisfactory evidence to discharge burden in establishing that the accident occurred but their evidence on quantum was woeful in response to robust xx. The claim for medical treatment was suspicious and there were many oddities and peculiarities that were seized upon in the injury claims. The DJ was invited to consider and follow Molodi. He found that the evidence was beyond questionable, that there had been an accident but that the Cs had ‘jumped on the bandwagon; and that the PI and treatment claims were fabricated. The vehicle repair claim could survive but there was no recovery. The Cs were ordered to pay D costs on disapplication of QOCs.

Nicola’s insurance fraud work is solely on behalf of Defendant insurer clients.

Nicola Twine has extensive experience as an employment practitioner and personal experience of being involved in conducting and advising upon workplace investigations, in her capacity as a school governor. She is part of the Investigations team and is keen to develop her practice in this area. She is happy to accept instructions regarding internal workplace investigations, disciplinary procedures and grievances.

Nicola is qualified to accept instructions directly from clients and is registered under the Bar Council’s Public Access Scheme.

Chambers and Partners (2025) - Employment (Band 3) - "Nicola is very helpful and responsive. She provides clear, commercial advice." "Nicola quickly identifies the issues and provides practical advice and support. Her advocacy skills are great." "Nicola is unflappable and really thorough."

Legal 500 (2025) - Employment (Tier 2) - "A very bright, well prepared and pragmatic barrister who builds good rapport with clients."

Legal 500 (2025) - Clinical Negligence (Tier 2) - "Nicola provides realistic and practical advice, and has a sound grasp of legal issues in this area"

Chambers and Partners (2024) - Employment (Band 3) - "Nicola is a pleasure to deal with." "Nicola has always acted with care and attention when instructed and has been well received by clients." "Nicola has great client service; she is personable and engages well with the client whether they are an individual or corporate client. She is very good on her feet with the advocacy, and considers the risks and cost-benefit analysis of the case."

Legal 500 (2024) - Employment (Tier 2) - "Nicola is very down to earth and gives clear, concise advice which is greatly appreciated by clients. She is good on her feet."

Legal 500 (2024) - Clinical Negligence (Tier 2) 

Chambers and Partners (2023) - Employment (Band 3) -"Nicola Twine has attracted acclaim as a barrister practising in areas including wrongful dismissal, discrimination and other employment law topics. She acts for claimants and respondents, often in multi-day and complex cases."

Legal 500 (2023) - Clinical Negligence (Tier 2) - "Nicola provides direct advice and is always willing to go the extra mile."

Chambers and Partners (2022) - Employment (Band 3) - "Her advocacy skills are excellent, she is clearly well prepared, and she has a very good manner with clients."

Legal 500 - "painstaking and approachable", a "thorough junior who works well with clients'," who "continues to build a good practice early in her call'", and for whom her "employment practice sits well with her work related injury practice." (2010/11) and to have "handled discrimination law cases as well as mainstream matters" (2009/10).

Personal Injury Bar Association (PIBA); Employment Law Bar Association; Employment Lawyers Association; Bar Pro Bono Unit; AvMA.

Nicola's most recent article- Foxcroft v (1) Flaherty and (2) Tesco Underwriting Ltd, Bradford County Court, 27th June 2016. Please follow the link below to read the full article: https://www.parklaneplowden.co.uk/foxcroft-v-1-flaherty-and-2-tesco-underwriting-ltd-bradford-county-court-27th-june-2016/n284/

Nicola has presented seminars on a variety of topics, both in-house at law firms, Local Authorities, and for other organisations. Topics include:

• Highway cases
• Personal Injury Updates
• Disease Protocol
• Work Related Upper Limb Disorders
• Discrimination update
• Harassment in Employment Tribunals
• Procedure in Employment Tribunals
• Employment updates and key developments

4th October 2019 - Nicola presented 'Rooted in the Law' at the Forbes Tree Conference.

LLB (Hons), University of Exeter BVC, London College of Law