Introduction

James specialises in criminal defence across the entire spectrum of criminal law with a focus upon organised and white-collar crime. Previously an experienced solicitor-advocate, James was called to the Bar in 2016. He has developed a well-earned reputation for getting positive results for both his lay and professional clients. He is a fearless advocate, unafraid to stand up for his clients when presented with a difficult tribunal.

He has a high acquittal rate despite specialising in taking cases to trial where it is often thought that there is little to no hope of a positive outcome (Modern Slavery / Duress defences) achieving great success against the odds. He is regularly instructed on large-scale conspiracies (drugs, firearms, organized crime etc), white collar fraud and the occasional difficult sexual offences case if specifically requested to do so. He specialises in applying to exclude purported evidence that has not been properly served, in particular electronic material from mobile phone downloads / cell site data. He is regularly successful in ensuring proper service / disclosure which benefits both his lay and professional clients.    

He establishes a close rapport with his clients which enables him to develop defences often missed by others. Having a background as a solicitor makes James particularly popular with those who instruct him because he can advise properly from the point of view of a litigator.  He is known for his clear, concise written work. 

He has a deep understanding of the commercial and financial pressures in which his professional clients operate, especially those engaged in publicly funded work. He ensures they are properly renumerated by assisting in the preparation of their claims and taking cases to the Costs Judge, if necessary.

Early Career

James has been a criminal defence specialist since 1999 when he started as a paralegal/accredited police station, becoming a trainee solicitor in a very busy north London firm known for serious criminal work. He qualified as a solicitor in 2001, and moved to a national firm. Duty solicitor in 2003, he became a self-employed solicitor-advocate in 2005, and awarded higher rights in 2009. He then started his Crown Court practice acting alone and led by renowned KCs in numerous murder/fraud trials. 

Crime

In the last 12 months, James’s cases have included:

Operation Celiorrhea, representing a defendant charged with the attempted murder of an asylum seeker at a hotel housing refugees. The defendant was already known to the police as an individual with extreme right-wing views, the police having already seized extremist literature, Nazi memorabilia and weapons from his home address. A review of his mobile phone revealed a plethora of antisemitic, anti-immigration and racists material on social media, images and downloads. The case was prosecuted as a terrorist case presided over by Mr Justice Dove and involved expert evidence from the prosecution and defence opining on the identification and motivation of a right-wing extremist.

Operation Salmon, representing one of the defendants in a HMRC prosecution (VHCC) of a large group of individuals who are alleged to have cheated the public revenue by committing VAT and National Insurance frauds in the sum of approximately £98m between 2017 and 2019. The defence is highly technical, requiring a understanding of tax law and the mechanism of tax avoidance schemes. Ongoing.

Operation Prevail, representing a defendant in a county lines investigation into the supply of Class A drugs from Birmingham, West Midlands into Hereford, Herefordshire between November 2019 and December 2020. Seventeen individuals were indicted, based upon a complex and complicated meshing together of numerous strands of disparate evidence. The defendant was a young man with a complex personality, diagnosed with Autism and ADHD and required careful and sensitive handling. Asserting a s.45 Modern Slavery defence, the defendant was only one of two acquitted.

R v JP, representing a defendant in a case involving a conspiracy to supply large quantities of heroin coordinated from inside HMP Pentonville. Modern Slavery/Duress asseted. The case involved complicated issues of disclosure. The trial was also put in jeopardy when the D was recorded by a member of the public whilst giving evidence who transpired to have contacts with those said to be threatening the D. Acquitted.

Operation Marston, representing one of the defendants, in a case involving numerous counts of fraud and money laundering with potential losses of more than £300,000. The evidence in this case was extremely complex and voluminous. 

Memberships

MIddle Temple

Criminal Bar Association 

South East Circuit 

Education and Qualifications

University of Liverpool - Modern History & Politics BA (Hons)

University of Sussex - Common Professinal Examination 

The University of Westminster - DipLaw