James Sullivan > Chambers of William Audland KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

James Sullivan

020 7583 0811 sullivan@12kbw.co.uk View profile

Position

James has a High Court and multi-track practice specialising in all aspects of personal injury and clinical negligence. He has complementary expertise in respect of accidents abroad and insurance fraud. He is very regularly instructed as sole Counsel in cases valued well in excess of £1,000,000. 

James’ personal injury practice is focused on cases involving catastrophic and life changing injuries. He has particular expertise in respect of serious brain or head injuries cases (including subtle brain injuries), amputation cases (upper and lower limb), cases involving fusion or joint replacement surgery, and cases involving major psychiatric injuries.

James also has very considerable experience in respect of cases involving rheumatological conditions and non-organic pain cases. His recent and current case load includes cases concerning Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, alleged post-traumatic fibromyalgia, Functional Neurological Disorders and Somatic Symptom Disorders. He is often instructed in cases where there are elements of fraud, malingering and exaggeration.

James international or cross-border work is focused on accidents abroad. He has extensive experience of Rome II and of handling cases involving the application of foreign law both in terms of liability and quantum.  James also has experience of claims involving the application of the EU Motor Insurance Directive

In his clinical negligence practice, James acts principally for claimants. He regularly advises in cases involving complex medical issues, particularly concerning causation.

James is ranked as a Leading Junior in both Chambers and Partners (Band 3) and Legal 500 in respect of Personal Injury. He acted for the successful parties in the recently reported High Court cases of Levitt v Euro Building and Maintenance Contractors Ltd [2019] EWHC 2926 (QB) 11 Nov 2019 (vicarious liability for assault perpetrated by a sub-contractor, ex turpi causa); and Robinson v Barker (1) Markerstudy (2) [2020] EWHC 3097 (QB) (brain injury, liability only trial, accident reconstruction evidence).

Outside of Chambers, James is heavily involved with a charity which funds Research Fellowships at the Royal Marsden Hospital (lecure.org).

Career

Called 2005, Inner Temple.

Memberships

PIBA; ELBA; Inner Temple.

Education

London School of Economics (BSc (First Class Honours) Government); Magdalene College, Cambridge University (M.Phil (distinction) International Relations); College of Law (postgraduate Diploma in Law (distinction)); ICSL (Bar Vocational Course (very competent)).

Leisure

Sport, travel, film.