Having formerly worked as a solicitor before joining Chambers, James joined Linenhall Chambers in 2018 and has since developed a practice focused on legal costs, personal injury and credit hire claims.
His previous career experience as a solicitor adds value to his delivery of client work as his experience on both sides of the legal sector enables him to take a well-rounded view of his cases. James is very personable, relaxed and informal in his delivery, putting clients at ease and encouraging positive working between parties.
James’ Court practice encompasses the full range of hearings, from MOJ Stage 3s, intermediary applications and CCMCs, through to trials on the small claims track, fast track and multi-track. James is also regularly instructed to draft pleadings and provide advice at all stages of cases and covering all matters.
Costs
James is an experienced costs practitioner and is regularly instructed in all forms of costs litigation. Having previously worked in a costs draftsman’s firm dealing with high value costs claims arising out of clinical negligence and fatal accidents cases and having worked as a solicitor-advocate within the costs department of a leading national law firm prior to joining Chambers, James has extensive experience of inter-parties costs litigation, and represents both receiving and paying parties at all stages of the assessment process. James is also instructed in relation to solicitor/own client disputes, including claims for the recovery of success fees, as well as applications for third party/wasted costs orders.
Personal Injury
James is regularly instructed in all types of personal injury litigation, including matters arising out of road traffic accidents (including cases involving allegations of fraud/low velocity impact); accidents at work; and public/occupier’s liability cases. James has extensive experience of dealing with matters of all values and levels of complexity, including a growing multi-track practice.
Credit Hire
James has a particular interest in credit hire litigation and has significant experience of representing both claimants and defendants in credit hire claims of all values and complexities, including on the multi-track.
M & M v H (2022) – acting for the defendant/paying party, James successfully defeated an application for an ‘exceptional circumstances’ costs order under CPR 45.13.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service v Wright (2021) – acting for the defendant – an elderly driver of a car involved in a collision with an ambulance responding to an emergency – James successfully achieved an 80/20 finding on liability in his client’s favour in light of the Judge’s conclusion that the ambulance had not correctly followed the services’ own internal policies and procedures, or the requirements of s.36 Traffic Signs Regulations and Directions Order 2002.
HH v HI (2021) – acting for the defendant, James successfully obtained a finding of fundamental dishonesty against the claimant.
T v W (2021) & T v H (2021) – acting for the defendant on both occasions, James successfully obtained the dismissal of claims for credit hire at trial on the basis that the hire agreements were both unenforceable.
M v G (2020) – acting for the claimant/receiving party, James successfully applied for an ‘exceptional circumstances’ costs order under CPR 45.29J.
Dearnley v One Insurance (2018) – James successfully represented the claimant in an appeal (by the defendant) against the decision of a Judge on first instance that the contents of a telephone conversation between the credit hire company and the defendant insurer could be considered appropriate evidence for the purposes of establishing the basic hire rate. James also successfully represented the claimant at the original trial.
2007-2010 – LLB (Hons), University of Nottingham, Upper Second Class
2010-2011 – Bar Professional Training Course, Nottingham Law School, Very Competent
2013-2015 – Legal Practice Course (part-time), BPP Law School, Commendation
2011 – Member of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
Visiting Lecturer at the University of Law (Manchester)
James Woodcock is recommended in the Legal 500 2022 and 2023 as a leading junior in Personal Injury on the Wales and Chester Circuit:
“James is very personable and explains complex legal issues to our clients in a way and on a level that they can understand.” (Legal 500, 2022 ranked Tier 3)
