Joanna James > Chambers of Christopher Rees > Cardiff, United Kingdom > Barrister Profile

Joanna James

029 2023 2032 joanna.james@apexchambers.net

Position

All areas of criminal law and regulatory crime, both prosecuting and defending. Joanna has prosecuted on behalf of a number of local authorities in cases involving counterfeiting, fraud, noise abatement, animal welfare and offences under the consumer protection legislation. She has also appeared on behalf of the Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit, the Department for Work and Pensions and Natural Resources Wales (formerly the Environment Agency). For the former, Joanna appeared as junior prosecution counsel in Operation Beirut (a case involving illegal lending, kidnap and blackmail) and for the latter, Joanna appeared as junior prosecution counsel in Operation Moonshine (a multi-million pound recycling fraud). Joanna’s defence practice involves all areas of general crime including sexual offences, benefit fraud, child neglect and serious violence. She has recently appeared as junior defence counsel for the first defendant in Operation Canister, a multidefendant large-scale confidence fraud.

Career

Called 2008; Middle Temple. Joined Apex Chambers in 2008, became a tenant in 2009.

Languages

Welsh and French.

Education

Bassaleg Comprehensive School (1996-2003), Cardiff University (2003-2006, BScEcon 2.1, PgDip Law 2006-2007, BVC 2007-2008)).