James Bruce > The 36 Group > London, England > Barrister Profile

James Bruce

Work Department

36 Crime

Position

James joined 36 Crime after 10 years in the West Midlands, having built strong foundations in criminal and regulatory law.

In the last few years he has accepted instructions in more serious cases involving violence and dishonesty. He has a way of speaking to witnesses and clients that dispels myths and fears about the Crown Court. This enables them to concentrate on giving their best evidence, increasing the chances of success in the case as a whole.

James has particular experience in local authority and trading standards prosecutions, where he lends his expertise to instructing solicitors at the earliest stages of case preparation. He enjoys seeing cases all the way through, providing continuity and strategy from beginning to end.

A qualified advocate appointed to “List C” for government agency work, James prosecutes and defends in cases involving the Environment Agency, HSE etc. He has trained inspectors and experts at the HSE. His grasp of this area assists in other cases, particularly in Coronial Law where he has represented local authorities, the NHS and families of the deceased at Inquests.

His regulatory practice extends to licensing work too. James takes cases before local licensing committees and on appeal in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts.

James has experience defending cases in the Courts Martial, from desertion to ill-treating subordinates. He has appeared in Bulford, Colchester and Portsmouth Military Court Centres, as well as the Court of Appeal. James is able to represent clients nationwide and overseas.

Most notably, he defended a marine who was involved in supervising a high-profile “joining run”. New joiners at 45 Commando were put through an initiation ceremony which included being forced to eat dog food. The case was reported in the national press at the time.

Work undertaken:

Direct access advisory, drafting and advocacy
Pre-charge advisory
Advisory, drafting and advocacy post-charge
Trial advocacy
Appellate drafting and advocacy
Regulatory – licensing committee applications and appeals
Regulatory – inquest advisory and advocacy
Courts Martial

Career

Call: 2010.

Areas of experience:

Consumer
Economic Crime & Regulation
Financial Crime
Health and Safety
Homicide
Modern Slavery
Regulatory
Serious & Complex Crime
Public Access

Memberships

CPS General Crime Grade 3
CPS Specialist Fraud Grade 2
Regulatory Crime List C (Environment Agency, HSE, CQC, ORR, ONR)
Serious Crime Panel Grade 2