Nicola Hall

Who? Nicola Hall, solicitor and higher court advocate, Robert Lizar Solicitors, Manchester. 

Why is she in the news? Represents James Knaggs, who is considering appealing a High Court decision granting a route-wide injunction to HS2 to prevent environmental protesters accessing land earmarked for the controversial route.

Thoughts on the case: ‘Companies, government bodies and others are increasingly using injunctions as a way of controlling peaceful protest. The injunction applications are legally complex and require careful argument. There is a risk that if applications cannot be properly scrutinised there will be real injustice. There is a real imbalance in resources available. We had to do our best with what could be raised by crowdfunding. These injunctions have a chilling effect on protest. There is a real fear among ordinary people involved in campaigns of becoming involved in expensive civil litigation. This injunction will not only impact upon the committed activists but also upon the numerous people whose lives are affected by the HS2 project.’

Dealing with the media: ‘There has been surprisingly little interest from the media in this case which is very significant. The judgment was delayed after the initial hearing. The timing of its delivery during some very big news stories has also potentially meant that it did not attract the attention it deserved. There was interest throughout only from a few media sources. We represented only one out of 63 defendants. As such we should not be the focal point for the press. There are numerous different perspectives on court proceedings with such a wide scope. It is concerning that in a case involving so many defendants and with such wide ramifications that it did not get wider coverage at the time of the initial hearing as many of the testimonies given were extremely moving.’

Why become a lawyer? ‘I naively became a lawyer believing that the law could be used to promote positive change. I still believe that working as a lawyer gives a unique opportunity to change outcomes for individuals but am very concerned that the decimation of the legal aid system will mean that young people  entering the profession with those ideals now will find the financial pressures too much to survive as long as I have. Those that know me say that I also like a good argument!’

Career high: ‘The Court of Appeal releasing three anti-fracking protesters convicted of public nuisance and reaffirming the importance of the right to protest in a democratic society. It was a moment of elation for all in the court and the right result for exceptional young people.’

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