Private Client - contentious and non contentious; Property litigation; Partnership; Commercial Chancery; Court of Protection
James Kirby is a Chancery barrister with a practice focused on Trusts and Estates, Court of Protection and Private Client Tax.
He is ranked as a ‘Rising Star’ by the Legal 500 2025 for Private Wealth and Probate and as ‘Up and Coming’ by Chambers HNW 2025 for Chancery: Traditional.
James is a member of the Attorney General’s B Panel.
James is an editor of Williams on Wills and a contributor to the Court of Protection Law Reports. Before coming to the Bar, he was a research fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Barrister - Called 2017
James’s recent cases include:
HMRC v HFFX LLP (2025) (led by Rupert Baldry KC and Thomas Chacko). Made oral submissions to the Supreme Court on the income tax rules concerning sales of occupation income. Judgment is awaited. George v The Corporation of the Hall of Arts and Sciences [2025] EWHC 1979 (Ch) (led by Simon Taube KC). Acting for the Royal Albert Hall in a claim relating to rights to seats at the Hall. Nazir v Begum [2025] EWCA Civ 587. Acted pro bono as sole counsel in the Court of Appeal. Commended by Zacaroli LJ for his “conspicuously clear and cogent submissions”. James v Scudamore [2023] Ch 391. Acted for the successful defendant in this leading case, establishing that probate claims may be barred by delay.