Leonie James > Chambers of Christopher Pocock KC and James Roberts KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

Leonie James

Position

Leonie accepts instructions in all areas of family law and has experience appearing at all levels up to and including the High Court.

For the 2022- 2023 legal year, Leonie was the judicial assistant to Lord Stephens at the Supreme Court.  She gained a unique insight into appeals before the Supreme Court and worked on complex cases at the highest level in multiple areas of law.

Prior to joining chambers, she worked as a Research Assistant for the Law Commission (on the surrogacy and wills projects) and completed a training contract at a firm known for matrimonial finance and private children work.

Finance

Leonie accepts instructions in all aspects of financial proceedings including matrimonial finance, enforcement, variation, applications pursuant to TOLATA 1996 and applications under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989.

She has experience of acting both in court and in representing clients at Private FDR.

Private Law Children

Leonie acts on behalf of all parties in private children disputes concerning contact, residence, relocation, enforcement, and all aspects of parental responsibility.

She has acted in private children proceedings following child abduction proceedings and a ‘stranded spouse’ case.

Child Abduction

Leonie is available to instruct in all stages of child abduction work.

Public Law Children

Leonie accepts instructions in public law proceedings on behalf of Local Authorities, parents, Guardians, and other family members.

Career

She has significant voluntary experience for organisations including the Free Representation Unit, Waterloo Legal Advice Centre and JUSTICE.

Memberships

• Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
• Family Law Bar Association

Education

• University of Oxford, BCL, Distinction
• BPP Law School, Bar Transfer Test
• Kaplan Law School, Legal Practice Course, Distinction
• University of Cambridge, BA Law, First Class