James is a highly sought-after advocate who commands the respect of his opponents and the judiciary by razor-sharp forensic skills which are presented to the jury with a calm, thoughtful and compelling style of advocacy. James has especial expertise in prosecuting Encrochat cases which involve possession of significant amounts of firearms and hundreds of kilos of drugs. He is also instructed to prosecute serious organised crime cases involving the supply of drugs, firearms and resultant criminal offences.
In addition, James prosecutes and defends in cases of homicide, large-scale multi million pound frauds, money laundering, blackmail, armed robbery, rape, and other serious criminal offences.
He is regularly instructed in homicides where the accused is a child. He is currently instructed for the defence in a case where a child killed his mother and for the prosecution in a case where a child killed his father. James has especial expertise in questioning children and vulnerable witnesses in the most serious and complex cases.
In addition, James is instructed in homicide cases which have a background of organised crime and drugs. He is currently instructed to prosecute a manslaughter where a KC is defending which involves complex issues of causation, novus actus interveniens. He has successfully defended a person accused of false imprisonment and throwing boiling water on his prisoner and a person who was accused of seriously injuring his child.
James is a Grade 4 Prosecutor, is on the RASSO list and, until its abolition, was a member of the Attorney General’s Panel of prosecuting advocates. He continues to act for other Government departments. He has extensive experience of cybercrime.
In addition to his general criminal practice, James has expertise in defending businesses on smoke-free legislation. He represents local authorities and appellants in appeals against refusals to grant licensing applications and in taxi licensing appeals. He deals with Trading Standards cases and helps local authorities with rogue traders. He also deals in housing cases and inquests.
James regularly appears in the Court of Appeal, he judicially reviews Crown Court decisions and assesses PII for social services and local authorities.
CPS Panel appointments
General Crime Level 4
RASSO Level 4
