Nigel has acted for solicitors facing SRA investigations and disciplinary proceedings for over 20 years. He advises individual solicitors and law firms on all stages of the disciplinary process from SRA investigations to SDT proceedings and appeals. Many of the cases he defends involve allegations of lack of integrity and dishonesty, or breaches of the AML or Accounts rules, and he is regularly asked to assist solicitors facing serious allegations which could have a long-term impact on their careers or the reputation of their firms. The solicitors who instruct him range from partners in large international firms to solicitiors at the start of their careers, and they all receive the same care and dedication on their cases. He is conscious of the need for confidentiality and the need to keep his clients (and his work) out of the limelight.
Before joining Weightmans in 2022, Nigel was a partner in the niche regulatory practice of RadcliffesLeBrasseur, where he headed the solicitors disciplinary team.
Nigel has acted as a Committee Member of the Law Society’s Regulatory Processes Committee and now acts as a Solicitors’ Representative on the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal Users Group.
He is the Co-author of “The Solicitors Handbook”, ‘The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal — law and practice’ and the Law Society’s book “SRA Investigations” (2024 edition). He is also a Contributing Editor for Cordery on Legal Services (as author of the section “How the SRA works”) and Atkins Forms and Precedents (as co-author of the section on Legal Services), and the Cases Editor for The Law Society’s Legal Compliance Bulletin.
Nigel has been ranked for professional discipline in Chambers for over 15 years and is named in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame for his professional discipline work for solicitors.
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Nigel has an excellent grasp of the law and is committed to his clients meaning you get everything you need from him.
Chambers and Partners, 2025 -
He's very technically sound and experienced in the area of solicitors' discipline investigations.
Chambers and Partners, 2025 -
I have worked with Nigel West over the last few years on a number of very complex and sensitive matters. He is a brilliant strategist and thinks creatively to win cases.
Legal 500, 2025 -
I find working with Nigel easy as he is always available and considerate. Competent and very professional with his advice.
Legal 500, 2025 -
Nigel West is an expert in the area of regulatory work dealing with solicitors. He has written books on the SDT and Solicitors Act. He is very approachable and thorough in taking instructions. Clients will always continue to recommend him.
Legal 500, 2025 -
He is an excellent solicitor in the field of regulatory law. He understands the needs of the solicitors who are facing professional conduct matters.
Chambers and Partners, 2024 -
Possesses a wealth of experience in the legal services domain.
Chambers and Partners, 2024 -
Always has an eye on the client's commercial objective.
Legal 500, 2024 -
An astute tactician
Legal 500, 2024 -
Nigel prepares cases to the highest standards
Legal 500, 2025