James Bruce

James has gained extensive experience of the disclosure regime through his work supporting high profile investigations. He applies this knowledge in all of his cases. It is particularly valuable when advising on local authority and private prosecutions, but also when defending to ensure the police and prosecutor reveal all material which will help a defendant’s cause.

R v Demiraj and others

Prosecuted five defendants for conspiracy to blackmail and kidnap, leading Sebastian Walker in Reading Crown Court. Successfully applied to introduce the video interview and witness statements of the three complainants as hearsay, over the course of a week’s legal argument.

R v Salgado-Tuzon and another

Prosecuted two individuals who used fire extinguishers to spray-paint the side of the Department of Transport in protest against HS2. After thorough cross-examination of the defendants, the Judge withdrew from the jury as a matter of law all the defences initially advanced. Both defendants were convicted by the jury.

R v Cohen and others

Led by Diana Wilson in Southwark Crown Court, prosecuted the group of Extinction Rebellion protestors who caused over £100,000 of damage to Barclays in Canary Wharf. Some of the defendants dispensed with their legal representatives the week before the trial. All seven defendants were convicted by the jury.

R v AT

Represented the Respondent in the Court of Appeal on an appeal against sentence, against an Appellant represented by Queen’s Counsel. The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence of 5 years with a 3 year extended licence for a “chilling” stabbing that caused grave injuries to a teenager committed by a 14 year old who had a fascination with knives.

R v Qadeer

Prosecuted to conviction a carjacker who used a hammer to rob a lone female in a car park at night. Issue in the case was identification and scientific evidence. Successfully rebutted Defence arguments on DNA contact transfer.

R v Moscrop

Defended a driver who injured his friend whilst driving on the M4 near Reading. Was able to show the friend’s description of dangerous driving was from a point well before the accident and that there had been no concerns in the half an hour before the crash. Acquitted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

R v G

Defended a 16 year old accused of rape. The case involved careful challenge of a number of young prosecution witnesses. Defendant acquitted through contrasting the accounts of the witnesses with CCTV, and each other.

R (Lancaster City Council) v B. Davies & Sons [2019] EWCA Crim 1624

Prosecuted a food processing company for taking pet-food-grade meat and relabelling it as fit for human consumption. The company pleaded guilty after losing a legal argument before the trial judge.

The company challenged their sentence in the Court of Appeal, where James continued to represent the local authority. The sentence was upheld, with their Lordships expressing their thanks for his assistance.

R (Lancaster City Council) v Ellison

Prosecuted what The Times referred to as the only breach of Smoke Control Zones rules in the preceding five years (as at 2016). Secured conviction by demonstrating in cross-examination that the defence “expert” was in fact a friend of the defendant.

Re: Hennessey’s, Torbay Council 

Represented Devon and Cornwall Police in their successful application to review and revoke the licence of a premises in Torquay. It had been a problem venue for some time, but continued to trade during the pandemic and flouted the Tier rules which were in place in 2020.

Re: C

Represented the licensee in their successful application to extend the licensed hours of a premises in a small coastal village in Devon. Overcame the objections of the neighbours by critically analysing their evidence and revealing they too held a licence so stood to gain from a refusal.

Re: D

Represented the family of a deceased patient who had mistakenly had a Do Not Resuscitate notice left on their bed. Persuaded the  Coroner to issue a Report to Prevent Future Deaths, over objection by the NHS Trust involved.

R v L

Defended a Corporal in the RMP who had allegedly assaulted a colleague, putting his head through a first aid box in the service police station. Established self defence: acquitted by the Board and the client was able to return to his unit.

R v S

Defended a Marine who was involved in supervising a high-profile “joining run”. New joiners at 45 Commando were put through an initiation ceremony which included being forced to eat dog food. The case was reported in the national press at the time.