Lawyer in the news

Who? Simon Nicholls, 44-year-old partner at five-partner Belmores in Norwich.

Why is he in the news? Acted for Samantha Hall, a lesbian sergeant in the Norfolk police force who was cleared last week of perverting the course of justice.

She admitted taking the blame for her female lover, who was at the wheel of a police car when it was involved in an accident, but claimed that she was 'terrified' of other officers finding out about her relationship.

In his summing up, the judge strongly criticised police attitudes to homosexuality in the force.

Background: Completed his law degree at Wolverhampton Polytechnic in 1976, followed by Law Society finals at Chester in 1977.

Qualified in 1979 at Wolverhampton firm Dunham Brindley & Linn.

In 1980 he moved to Norwich-based Overbury Steward & Eaton where he was made partner in 1985.

Left to set up his own practice in 1995, which merged with Norwich firm Belmores earlier this year.

Route to case: 'I'm quite well known in the area for my criminal work.

I've worked for the police before, and that was how Sam heard of me.'

Thoughts on the case: 'I think it was a very significant case - it highlighted the fact that even in the year 2000, the police force still suffers from a great deal of internal prejudice not just against people of different races, but also different sexual orientation.

I think it's important that police officers shouldn't escape prosecution - in previous years, people often prosecuted officers simply because they were officers.

Now it's gone the other way, and people tend to over-compensate for police officers, which I think is wrong.'

Dealing with the media: 'I am pretty media friendly up here in Norfolk.

I think it's very important to dispel the image of solicitors as unapproachable and stuffy, so I do a lot of local television and radio, trying to make myself user-friendly.

Plus I ride to court on a motorbike, which the clients seem to like.'

Victoria MacCallum