James is a criminal practitioner of 10 years + call. He practises predominantly in the Crown Courts in Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales, but has recently undertaken cases in London, Bristol and Cardiff.
He acts equally for the prosecution and defence and is a Category 4 prosecutor who is also on the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Panel.
James is a hardworking and diligent junior whose case preparation is always thorough and submissions are often succinct and to the point. He understands the importance of building relationships with clients (both lay and professional) and is always approachable and contactable to discuss the case or have a conference. He understands the importance of written work and will regularly support submissions with a written document.
He has undergone training and is experienced in the handling of vulnerable clients and witnesses and is a compassionate and patient advocate.
He also regularly undertakes work in the youth court for both prosecution and defence and prosecutes for local authorities in regulatory matters such as trading standards or illegal cockling.
He has experience in representing the Chief Constable in matters relating to the appeal against a refusal to grant firearms/shotgun certificates.
Prosecution
R v RM – prosecution junior in an allegation of the murder of an ex-wife by her ex-husband after she ended the relationship.
R v WC – prosecution junior in an allegation of gross negligence manslaughter where the defendant and deceased, his partner, engaged in consensual sado-masochistic sexual activity involving bondage, gagging and restraint. The defendant restrained his partner and gagged her, before falling asleep having taken a cocktail of alcohol and drugs and she asphyxiated.
R v SM – prosecution junior in an allegation of gross negligence manslaughter of a mother who left her 18 month old twins in a bath unattended for 45 minutes, resulting in one of them tragically drowning.
Operation Mandebras – prosecution junior with Simon Mills in unlawful immigration case tried in Isleworth Crown Court and the Old Bailey.
R v BB – prosecution junior with Owen Edwards in the prosecution of disgraced football coach charged with historic sexual abuse of young boys in his care.
R v BP – prosecuted the executor of a will for fraudulently altering the will and acting to the detriment of other beneficiaries.
R v SO – prosecution of the sexual assault of a sleeping female by the defendant, her friend.
R v RB – prosecution of a care assistant for sexually abusing a colleague in a care home.
R v DS – prosecuted a father for recently sexually abusing his 5 year old daughter.
R v TL and others – prosecuted three handed burglary conspiracy involving numerous dwelling burglaries.
R v MB – prosecuted an allegation of s.18 wounding following an attack with a knife and baseball bat. Convicted for a second time after the Court of Appeal quashed the original conviction.
R v DC – prosecuted allegation of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
NRW v LR and others – prosecution on behalf of Natural Resources Wales of illegal cockling on the River Dee.
CC Dyfed Powys Police v ID – representing the CC in the appeal against the revocation of a certificate.
CC Dyfed Powys Police v LJ – representing the CC in the appeal against the revocation of a certificate.
Defence
R v BP – defence of a historic sexual allegation in Bristol Crown Court.
R v RD – defence of a death by careless driving allegation against a bus driver in Cardiff Crown Court.
R v CR – defence of a teaching assistant alleged to have committed historic sexual offences against a former pupil.
R v SM – defence of footballer charged with GBH following a tackle in a non-league game.
R v MC – defence in Class A drugs conspiracy.
R v NT – defence in Class A drugs conspiracy – Operation Blue Lancelot.
R v ST – defence of man accused of perverting the course of justice by lying about his driving to avoid a speeding penalty.
R v DC – defence of youth in an allegation of a rape of his step-sister.
R v IJ – defence of a vulnerable young adult on allegations of meeting a child following sexual grooming which involved entrapment by paedophile hunters.
Law LLB Leeds University
BVC – BPP Law School, Leeds
Member of Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Panel
Member of Lincoln’s Inn
James is ranked Tier 2 in the 2025 Legal 500 Rankings
‘James has an excellent manner with clients, is very down to earth and personable. That approach is mirrored before juries.’
James was Ranked Tier 3 in the Legal 500 2024 Edition.
‘James has an excellent informal manner with clients, puts them at their ease, and is effortlessly articulate in court. He has a can-do attitude and a pragmatic approach to cases. An outstanding barrister who is first choice for both the prosecution and the defence.’
