James Doyle > 4-5 Gray's Inn Square > London, England > Barrister Profile

James Doyle

Position

James is an extremely experienced barrister whose practice focuses on the areas of defending allegations of commercial fraud, money laundering, counterfeiting, homicide, serious sex crime, substantial drug supply/production conspiracy, offences of human exploitation, and environmental law transgression. Other areas of expertise include: civil fraud; restraint proceedings; extradition; regulatory and disciplinary matters; and local authority prosecutions including trading standards.

Career

James has for the last 30 years always appeared for the defendant. He is an intuitive advocate who is able to connect with juries. He believes that advocacy in essence involves storytelling and is best manifested in clear and simple exposition. James has developed a keen interest in mental health recognising that such issues increasingly form a significant element in criminal litigation.

Price-fixing, income tax, VAT carousel/missing trader, life insurance, car insurance, commercial insurance, art, long firm, boiler room, red diesel, and e-commerce frauds demonstrate the wide spectrum of fraud offences that have formed part of James’ practice. James was instructed to act on behalf a director of a multi-national company charged with price-fixing. At the time that case was the largest SFO prosecution to date (R v Goldshield and others). James spent much time out of court working on the case papers over a two year period. The trial Indictment was eventually quashed.

James has specific expertise concerning all things relating to money laundering. In December 2019 at Guildford Crown Court he secured the acquittal of a well known professional poker player charged with multi-million money laundering offences. The acquittal was achieved through a close analysis of the lay client’s gambling methods.

He has represented lay clients in the largest counterfeiting and cannabis production cases prosecuted in the UK. He has represented renowned individuals in the Northeast of England on environment law matters. James has been instructed in numerous murder cases including acting for a Romanian chess champion who was acquitted at the Central Criminal Court.

James is a strong battle hardened advocate. He is fearless in representing his lay client’s interests. He has the ability to quickly pinpoint the essential issues around which a case will be determined, and to present a persuasive narrative to a jury or court. He is empathetic and willing to engage with the lay client to obtain a true understanding of that person’s perspective of the case. James believes that respect, understanding, and an acknowledgement of the essential equality of all, should inform his professional work.

Memberships

Middle Temple

Criminal Bar Association

POCLA (Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association)

Serious Fraud Panel Member

Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers

Education

LLB

Post-Graduate Diploma in International Human Rights