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Appointments
VHCC Panel Member
"Doing work much more advanced than his level of call would predict. Definitely one to watch for the future, he is someone with a buoyant defence practice" - (Chambers and Partners, 2013)
'A regular on the Northern and Midlands circuits. Sources speak of his 'great relationship with clients' and his skill in analysing evidence' - (Chambers and Partners UK Guide to the Legal Profession, 2012)
Practice Areas
- Criminal law – all aspects on behalf of both prosecution and defence.
- Regulatory and Public law.
Practice Summary
James graduated from Leicester University in 2003, before undertaking the Bar Vocational Course in London. He undertook his pupillage at Bank House Chambers and specialises in all aspects of criminal law.
James is regularly instructed by the defence in a wide range of matters and handles case well beyond his year of call. James is often led by the senior members of chambers in cases involving historical sexual abuse, murder and serious violence. His practice is widespread and covers crown courts in South Yorkshire, Nottingham and Derby on a regular basis.
James also speaks regularly at CPD accredited seminars. Recent topics he has covered are:
Please click here if you would like to download the slides from this seminar.
Notable Cases
R v Stephen Shreeves (2012) - Represented client on a multi-handed murder case, where the co-accused had recruited the others to kill her husband.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-18956875
R v Anthony Lamb (2012) - Represented a former police officer who was charged with conspiracy to evade paying cigarette duty between 2007 and 2009. The total duty evaded was estimated to be £11m and involved smuggling 60 million cigarettes into the UK.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18639985
R v W (2012) - Represented a 72 year old Defendant who was originally charged with attempted murder, whereby the complainant sustained approx. 130 shotgun pellet wounds across his back having been shot 4 times by the Defendant. The case proceeded to trial where the defendant was ultimately charged with Section 18 GBH. It became clear at trial that the complainant and an accomplice were burglars who were at the Defendant's property on the relevant night. The issue of self defence was successfully argued and the Defendant was acquitted following a week long trial.
R v Spalding (2011) - Led junior counsel. Represented Defendant who was charged with the murder of his partner in a frenzied attack, using a multitude of weapons. The case involved resolving complicated psychiatric issues and dealing with the potential partial defence of diminished responsibility. The case attracted national publicity.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-15036856
R v Hicks (2011) - Led junior counsel. Represented Defendant charged with murdering his father during the course of a heated row. The case involved resolving complicated issues of causation and dealing with the potential applicability of the statutory defence of loss of control.
R v P (2011) - Represented a defendant charged with robbery who was alleged to have been the willing "getaway driver" acting as part of a team who had driven from Liverpool to Derbyshire to execute a well planned armed robbery of a travel agents. The defendant was a pre-op transgender woman who had lived as a female for in excess of 5-years. The case raised difficult preliminary issues in relation to her proper categorisation whilst held on remand in prison. The first trial (lasting 4-days) was aborted due to a conflict arising from a judicial perspective. The second trial lasted two weeks and involved a cut-throat defence.
The defendant was acquitted after trial.
R v G (2011) - Defence counsel. Case involved the teenage defendant, who suffered from Tourettes syndrome who was charged with Section 18 GBH. The victim suffered multiple stab wounds which punctured a lung and pierced a kidney. The prosecution considered a count of attempted murder but ultimately left the indictment unchanged followings submissions that it was 'too late in the day'. The defendant actively blamed another individual at the trial who had been fully investigated and released without charge. Acquitted after trial.
R v S (2010) - Defence counsel. Case involved the defendant charged with historic rapes in the late 1980's.
R v B (2010) - Led defence junior. Defendant charged with attempted murder of his baby son. 2 week trial involving issues (and applications) of non-defendant bad character evidence (defence consisted of blaming mother) and expert medical evidence. The case attracted national media coverage.
R v F (2010) - Defence counsel. Multi handed affray case resulting in acquittal by jury.
R v H (2010) - Defence counsel. Defendant charged with indecent assault on a minor.
R v L (2010) - Defence counsel. Defendant charged with indecent assault on a minor.
R v K (2010) - Defence counsel. Defendant charged with rape.
R v H (2010) - Defence counsel. Defendant charged with rape.
R v Unsworth (2009) – Led defence junior. Defendant charged with false accounting. Case listed 3 weeks.
R v P (2008) – Led defence junior. Defendant charged with historical sex attacks on two biological daughters over a considerable period of time (in excess of 25 years). Case attracted natioanl media coverage with comparisons made to the Josef Fritzl case.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/10/lifetime-rape-terror-toddlers-adults
R v Corfield (2008) – Defence counsel. Defendant charged with sex offences.
R v Unsworth (2007/8) – Led defence junior. Defendant charged with fraud and theft. Trial listed 4 weeks.
R v Bagshaw & others (2006/7) – Defence counsel representing defendant charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, controlling prostitutes for gain and facilitating breaches of immigration law. Case involved lengthly covert and expensive covert police investigation into Sheffield massage parlour/sauna/prostitution scene (Operation Rampart) - leading to charges being brought against 13 individuals working at 2 particular massage parlours, which employed numerous illegal immigrants taking payment for sexual services. Case listed 3 months. VHCC contracted case.
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