James is formerly an Associate Solicitor Advocate, having trained and qualified in a Family and Children Law department within a highly regarded law firm. James was admitted to the Role of Solicitors on 15 December 2015 and went on to attained both the Children Law Accreditation and the ‘Solicitor Higher Rights’ Higher Courts (Criminal) Advocacy Qualification. In October 2018 James was granted an unconditional transfer to the Bar and invited to be Called to the Bar on 22 November 2018.
James acts for all parties involved in Public Law and Private Law Children matters, in particular parents and children, both through their guardians and on direct instructions, in Care Proceedings. James’ experience to date includes matters involving Care Proceedings and Emergency Protection applications; Child Arrangement, Specific Issue and Prohibited Steps Orders; Enforcement applications, SGO applications and Contested Adoptions. James has particular experience in dealing with matters involving: clients with severe learning disabilities; allegations of Non-Accidental Injury; allegations of sexual abuse and inter-sibling sexual abuse; chronic neglect, extreme drug and alcohol misuse; adoptive parents with teenage children beyond their control and young and inexperienced parents.