Profile description
James is a skilled court room advocate with a reputation for getting to the core issues in a case quickly and tackling them effectively. He offers reliably sound judgement, pragmatic legal advice and an analytical approach to his instructions. James provides a very approachable service is always happy to discuss initial issues that his clients may face in dealing with claims. Before becoming a barrister, James worked as in-house counsel for a global FTSE 100 company for eight years dealing with high value commercial contract negotiations. He brings a wealth of business experience to his practice, which is primarily focussed on general commercial, property and family work.
Family
James is an advocate with particular expertise in all matrimonial finance including Inheritance Act provision and private law children work. James offers a great deal of experience in contested child arrangements and financial settlement proceedings. James is instructed in all stages of family cases for his clients, from the point of initial pre-action advice in consultation through to representation at contested hearings (including fact-finding hearings and final hearings). James accepts in all aspects of child arrangements cases (applications for contact and residence). James also accepts instructions relating to injunctive proceedings before the family courts such as non-molestation, prohibited steps and occupation orders.
Property
James has a long-standing property and land law practice and frequently advises and represents claimants and defendants in relation to a wide range of property law disputes including Landlord & Tenant (commercial & residential), Dilapidations and disrepair, Building disputes, Service charge disputes, Restrictive covenants, Boundary and neighbour disputes, Rights of way and easements, Forfeiture proceedings, Possession and eviction, Charging order applications, Mortgage repossession actions (for both lenders & borrowers), TOLATA / Trust of land disputes. James is frequently instructed to advise and represent clients in relation to all manner of property law proceedings, including those before the County Court and Land Tribunal.
Court of protection
James accepts instructions in court of protection matters including all areas from Deputyship, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS), Lasting Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Attorney, Mental capacity, Medical treatment, Best interests decisions, Welfare, including contact, residence and care decisions.
Trusts, Wills and Probate
As part of his wider property law practice, James is routinely instructed by lay clients to advise and represent them in relation to a variety of trusts, contested wills and probate matters. This includes applications under the Inheritance Act 1975.
Commercial
James is instructed by commercial clients from a range of different sectors in relation to all manner of business disputes. With his background of working in-house within a commercial enterprise, James has the direct operational experience required to understand complex business issues. He offers specific technical knowledge of broadcast and satellite communications, telecommunications and high-value commercial contracts. His practice sees him frequently instructed on Breach of contract, Company law (partnership and shareholder disputes), Insolvency and bankruptcy (commercial and individual), Financial services claims, Debt recovery, Consumer Credit Act.
Costs
Supplementing his busy commercial practice; James has a great deal of experience representing Claimants and Defendants in costs disputes and is frequently instructed to attend costs budgeting and detailed costs assessments hearings. James is often attending detailed assessments nationally and regular appearances at the Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO).
Personal Injury
James advises and represents claimants and defendants in all areas, including allegations of fraud of Personal Injury related claims, mainly arising from road traffic accidents, employers liability and public liability. James is also a member of the Motorcycle Group tackling serious injuries (he also has a m/c licence). James also has experience in injuries arising from accidents involving HGVs and buses. James is regularly instructed for both claimant and defendant and has a thorough understanding of credit hire.
James is regularly instructed in all areas for both claimant and defendant and has a thorough understanding of the latest developments EL/PL and Occupier’s Liability. James involvement is frequently from the outset: by assessing and advising on prospects, to advising on quantum, to drafting pleadings, drafting questions, to conferences with witnesses, to round table meetings and onto trial.
James was instructed in first instance and on appeal (both successful) regarding a slip and trip/Highways claim against a London borough: Simson v London Borough of Islington, [2013] EWHC 2527 (QB) setting a new precedent requiring inspections to include area under objects on the highway such as parked cars and refuse bins.
Chancery
In addition to his commercial and property practices, James accepts instructions in relation to traditional chancery matters including disputes relating to trusts, contested wills, probate and Inheritance Act claims. James has undergone his Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) training http://www.actaps.com/
Education
- Bar Vocational Course, BPP Law School
- Graduate Diploma in Law, BPP Law School
- BSc (Hons) Geography, Manchester University/Granada University, Spain
- Scholarships and awards: Socrates Erasmus Scholar, Manchester University
