James Carroll > Russell-Cooke LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Russell-Cooke LLP Offices

Russell-Cooke LLP
8 Bedford Row London
WC1R 4BX
England
Visit website 020 7405 6566 020 7831 2565

James Carroll

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+44 (0)20 7440 4839 [email protected] View profile View profile

Work Department

Family

Position

James is Managing Partner at Russell-Cooke. He specialises in the financial and other consequences of relationship formation or breakdown. His principal role is to help people separate sensibly.

James is an expert in complex financial matters, including those involving businesses and trust/tax structures, often with an international dimension. He has considerable knowledge of pre-nuptial agreements (having sat on the Advisory Group to the Law Commission).

In contrast with many family lawyers, James’ practice is not limited to representing married couples or those in a personal relationship. He also acts for family members, business partners or trusts/corporations that own property together or face family-related legal issues.

James is identified as a leader in the field in relation to same-sex relationships, civil partnerships and same-sex marriages, particularly those involving cross-border issues.

He has a particularly strong reputation in resolving matters through constructive discussions and cooperation. James is both an accredited mediator and a collaborative family lawyer (both specialist forms of dispute resolution designed to reach solutions out of court). James works with and advises individuals, couples or wider family members.

Career

  • trained Anthony Gold Solicitors 1999-2001; qualified 2001;
  • assistant solicitor Russell-Cooke, Kingston Office 2001-06;
  • assistant solicitor Campbell Hooper Solicitors 2006-08;
  • partner Campbell Hooper Solicitors 2008-09;
  • partner Russell-Cooke 2009 to date.

James is regularly called upon by the mainstream media for interview or comment on family law matters, and as such James has appeared on the Today programme, the BBC, Sky and Channel 4 News

Publications of note: ‘Schedule 1 Provision (financial provision for unmarried parents)’ in The Law Society, Family Law Protocol (3rd edition).

Memberships

  • Member of Resolution
  • Committee Member of the Family Law Committee of the Law Society of England & Wales (former Co-Chair)
  • Fellow of the International Association of Family Lawyers
  • Member of the International Association of Collaborative Practitioners;
  • Editorial board, Practical Law, Family Section.
  • James is a co-author of the Family Law Protocol, published by The Law Society.

 

Education

University of Wales, Aberystwyth 1994-97; BPP Law School 1997-99.

Lawyer Rankings

London > Private client > Family: mediation

(Leading partners)

James Carroll – Russell-Cooke LLP

Conducting sole, hybrid, shuttle, and co-mediation, Russell-Cooke LLP’s six-strong mediation team works ‘effectively’ and ‘efficiently’. Fiona Read, team head in Putney, ‘speaks with a calmness and authority that sets the clients at ease’; she offers arbitration and an early neutral evaluation service alongside expertise as a child-inclusive mediator. In the central London office, James Carroll is ‘one of the very few lawyer mediators that handle the most difficult and complex cases’, with experience supporting same-sex couples and handling issues with an international dimension. Alongside Read and Carroll, also in central London, Kate Hamilton ‘exudes experience‘ in mediation for unmarried couples and family members intervening in divorce proceedings. Katie Longmate joined the team from AFP Bloom in January 2024, bringing a strong practice in child relocation cases.

London > Private client > Family

(Leading partners)

James Carroll – Russell-Cooke LLP

As ‘a truly excellent firm‘, Russell-Cooke LLP‘s family team is ‘always at the forefront of developments’ from a range of non-court dispute resolution options, including mediation and arbitration, to international surrogacy arrangements. James Carroll, managing partner, is ‘a brilliant strategist‘ with experience of complex financial disputes, leading the central London team alongside Kate Hamilton, who is ‘second to none‘; Katie Longmate, who joined the team in January 2024 from AFP Bloom; and Jemma Pollock, who is a go-to for cohabitation disputes. Arbitrator Fiona Read and financial specialist Hannah Minty co-head the Putney team. Sarah Richardson leads the children team, handling serious child protection matters and with a growing practice in alternative family law, where Jade Quirke, a fertility law specialist, is a particularly experienced. Samantha Little and Rachel Donald are also recommended.

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