James is a highly sought-after advocate who commands the respect of his opponents and the judiciary by razor-sharp forensic skills which are presented to the jury with a calm, thoughtful and compelling style of advocacy. James has especial expertise in prosecuting Encrochat cases which involve possession of significant amounts of firearms and hundreds of kilos of drugs. He is also instructed to prosecute serious organised crime cases involving the supply of drugs, firearms and resultant criminal offences.

In addition, James prosecutes and defends in cases of homicide, large-scale multi million pound frauds, money laundering, blackmail, armed robbery, rape, and other serious criminal offences.

He is regularly instructed in homicides where the accused is a child. He is currently instructed for the defence in a case where a child killed his mother and for the prosecution in a case where a child killed his father. James has especial expertise in questioning children and vulnerable witnesses in the most serious and complex cases.

In addition, James is instructed in homicide cases which have a background of organised crime and drugs. He is currently instructed to prosecute a manslaughter where a KC is defending which involves complex issues of causation, novus actus interveniens. He has successfully defended a person accused of false imprisonment and throwing boiling water on his prisoner and a person who was accused of seriously injuring his child.

James is a Grade 4 Prosecutor, is on the RASSO list and, until its abolition, was a member of the Attorney General’s Panel of prosecuting advocates. He continues to act for other Government departments. He has extensive experience of cybercrime.

In addition to his general criminal practice, James has expertise in defending businesses on smoke-free legislation. He represents local authorities and appellants in appeals against refusals to grant licensing applications and in taxi licensing appeals. He deals with Trading Standards cases and helps local authorities with rogue traders. He also deals in housing cases and inquests.

James has always encouraged students from socio-economic groups with protected characteristics to join the profession and has taken an active part in the Leicestershire Schools Courts Competition since its inception. He is the 36 Crime Pupillage Committee Member. He is the supervising barrister for the University of Leicester miscarriages of justice unit.

James regularly appears in the Court of Appeal, he judicially reviews Crown Court decisions and assesses PII for social services and local authorities.

CPS Panel appointments

General Crime Level 4
RASSO Level 4

Key cases

R v LR and JJ (Ongoing)

James is instructed to prosecute as junior alone a manslaughter involving complex issues of causation, novus actus interveniens and self-defence. The case is defended by a King’s Counsel.

R v DA, ME, RM, NR and RB (Op Librarius) (Ongoing)

James is instructed by CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate as leading junior for the prosecution in a case involving Encrochat, the possession of automatic firearms with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to supply hundreds of kilos of class A drugs. Three defendants have been convicted and sentenced, in one case to over 30 years imprisonment. One defendant remains outstanding for trial.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-67104485

R v CHH (Ongoing)

Prosecution junior in a murder trial where a child is accused of murdering his father. The case involves child witnesses and complex issues of fact.

R v SS (2025)

Junior counsel for the defence in a murder trial. The defendant was accused of murdering his mother. Complex psychiatric issues and partial defences to murder arose.

R v TF (2025)

Successfully defended a trial for a defendant accused of causing serious non-accidental injuries to his child.

R v SM and MP (2025)

Successfully defended a trial for a defendant accused of false imprisonment and causing grievous bodily harm by throwing boiling water.

R v MB, DG and IT, (Op Chestnut) (2024)

3 handed murder trial. James was instructed as junior counsel for the prosecution in a case involving a killing related to the organisation of prostitution.

R v SH (2024)

James was instructed as junior alone representing a defendant accused of attempted murder.

R v KD and GS (2024)

Prosecuted two child defendants for the drugging and gang rape of another child.

R v TD and SA (2024)

Prosecuted two defendants for raping a teenager in a nightclub.

R v VP and 10 others (Op Druid) (2024)

James defended alone in a million pound VAT fraud which was brought to a close for his client by a successful submission of no case to answer.

R v FW and 4 Others (Operation Jewelstone) (2023)

James was instructed as junior counsel in the prosecution of two defendants involved in a double shooting, which took place during a planned robbery of drug dealers. The other defendants were responsible for concealing the firearm used and lying to the police during their investigation into the matter.

R v AM and others (Operation Trent) (2022)

James prosecuted a six-defendant conspiracy to supply Class A drugs with thousands of pages of evidence, including cell-site, ANPR and very lengthy Call Data Records.

R v DB and 19 others (Op Radar) (2022) 

Junior for the Crown in a 3 month drugs conspiracy trial.

 

Areas of expertise

James prosecutes and defends serious and substantial offences in the Crown Court, including attempted murder, arson, grievous bodily harm with intent, armed robbery, unlawful sexual activity with children, making indecent images, rape, firearms offences, drug supply and importation, kidnap, blackmail, money laundering, conspiracy to defraud, and death by dangerous driving. His practice is approximately half prosecution and half defence.

James has extensive knowledge of computing and networking technology, having worked as a Unix systems administrator prior to his career at the Bar. He has significant experience of instructing expert witnesses in cases involving extensive technical evidence and issues. He has prosecuted and defended cases under the Computer Misuse Act.

James has both prosecuted on behalf of trading Standards in the Crown Court and acted for claimant local authorities in the County Court using the Enterprise Act 2002 to help local authorities deal with rogue traders where there is not a realistic prospect of conviction. He is experienced in advising trading standards of the best legal solution, whether by way of prosecution or civil action.

James has appeared at inquests involving deaths as a result of a failure to install appropriate fire-safety equipment and road traffic collisions.

James is the supervising barrister for the University of Leicester miscarriages of justice unit, which campaigns tirelessly to free those wrongly convicted.

He appears regularly in the Court of Appeal and has successfully judicially reviewed Crown Court decisions.
James undertakes disclosure and assesses PII of social services files for Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council. He is a member of the CBA. He speaks conversational French and basic Greek.

Further information

Memberships

Appointed to CPS Panel of Advocates at Level 4

Appointed to the CPS Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Panel

Back to Members