Nick Freeman, lawyer and hero to scores of terrible drivers, has trademarked his nickname to ensure that no one else can move in on his niche as the celebrity world’s “Mr Loophole”.

The Cheshire lawyer became infamous for charging vast sums of money to help soap stars and professional sportsmen escape motoring offences.

He made his name defending Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United coach, who was caught driving on the hard shoulder of a motorway. Mr Freeman invited headlines and admiration for his unusual plea that the football manager had been forced into the erratic driving by a severe dose of diarrhoea.

His loophole reputation was built with dozens of less striking but equally innovative cases – most often involving legal technicalities to avoid motoring offences.

Mr Freeman, 51, said: “The media coined the term for me, and while some might not know the name Nick Freeman, they usually have heard the name Mr Loophole."

It has been suggested that he is the highest-paid lawyer in the UK, commanding up to £10,000 per day to defend cases for high profile television presenters and sportsmen, including Jeremy Clarkson and Wayne Rooney.

A spokesman said: “He has registered the nickname to prevent others cashing in on his fame and success in the court room.

“People have been trademarking themselves as ’loophole lawyers’. He’s making sure nobody else can use what he’s successful for.”

The trademark has been successful lodged with the UK Patent Office.

A scourge of traffic campaigners and police officers, Mr Freeman was arrested by Gwent Police two years ago on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, but the charge was later dropped.

By trademarking his moniker Mr Freeman has made a bid to jealously protect his income, but he was more candid about his reputation in a 2006 newspaper interview.

Asked if he could justify some of his controversial tactics he replied: "Morally, I can't, but ethically, I can. . . I am a lawyer and my job is to give my clients the best defence I can. That is the job of every defence lawyer.”

The legendary cases of Nick Freeman

Steve McFadden: Freeman told a court that the Eastenders actor’s “remarkable capacity” for alcohol meant he would not feel drunk, despite being 2.5 times over the limit

Ronnie O’Sullivan (I): Case dismissed against the snooker player when Freeman accused the judge of winking at a journalist

Ronnie O’Sullivan (II): At the retrial he was successfully defended against the charge of failing to supply a urine sample, arguing that his depression made him “too stressed” to perform

Ashley Fitton: The former model escaped drink driving charges using a little-known case law from 1925 after Freeman told the court she was forced to drive by her husband

Steve Hearn: A rare non-celebrity client got off after Freeman argued that he may have been sleepwalking when he committed the driving offences

William Stobart: The road haulage tycoon escaped punishment when Freeman claimed that the man who was stopped doing 116mph and gave his name to police could have been another William Stobart

David Beckham: On appeal, Freeman managed to secure leniency for his client by claiming he had gone over the speed limit only because he was being pursued by paparazzi

Dwight Yorke: Freeman told the court that the speed gun that captured the former Manchester United striker travelling at 95mph did not meet all conditions of use

Wayne Rooney: Cleared when Freeman said the court must have mislaid a fax he promised had been sent requesting an adjournment

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