James’ criminal practice encompasses all aspects of criminal law including violent crime, sexual offences, theft involving the use of weapons, and drug related offences. He both defends and prosecutes.

James is a Level 3 CPS prosecutor and is also on the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) panel.
He has an expertise in serious sexual offences and often appears in the Court of Appeal when sentences are referred by the Attorney General for being unduly lenient.
James has a particular specialism in cases involving vulnerable witnesses; usually sexual offences or those involving young defendants and witnesses. He regularly appears in cases of sexual offences where children are involved. He is a facilitator on the vulnerable witness training course at Middle Temple.

In October 2022 James was elected to the executive committee of the Criminal Bar Association where he has served as Assistant Secretary and then Secretary. His tenure concludes in March 2025. As part of his role with the CBA he has assisted in various Government reviews and regularly meets with representatives of the MoJ, CPS and HMCTS. He has also provided legal commentary for many television and radio stations including the BBC, ITV, Sky and LBC.

Prior to joining Lamb Building, James was a tenant at Chambers in Luton where he covered Courts in London and the Southeast. He also practised as a Solicitor for a number of years after being called to the Bar, giving him an insight into how cases are run from a different viewpoint.

Education

Bar Vocational Course, University of Law
GDL Course, De Montfort University, Leicester

Memberships

Middle Temple
Criminal Bar Association
Justice
Amnesty International

Interests

Away from the law, James enjoys playing golf and cricket. He is also a frustrated football supporter, following Southampton FC.

Military

• Military Law Group

R v SG [2024] – James was led on an 8-week trial where the Defendant was charged with 22 counts of rape and sexual assault against 6 complainants. The offences took place in hotels around the Southeast, and the complainants ranged in aged from 15 to 30 years old.

R v ISL & AM [2024] – James prosecuted two Defendants charged with raping the same complainant at separate times on Brighton beach. It was alleged that after the first defendant had raped the complainant the second Defendant had then further raped her after she was left on the beach. They were unknown to each other and never met. The second Defendant was guilty of the offence. https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2023-11-15/police-charge-six-men-in-connection-with-rapes-and-sexual-assaults-on-beach

R v RB and Others [2024] – James prosecuted a conspiracy to supply Class A drugs involving 8 Defendants. The Defendants ranged from two who were operating and running the entire County Lines operation down to three “runners” who were supplying the drugs to users. The Defendants were given sentences ranging from Suspended Sentence Orders up to 9.5-years in custody.

R v EP [2023] – James represented the Defendant in a 2-week trial. She was charged with sexual offences against a young female student. After lengthy deliberations the Defendant was acquitted on all counts. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/teacher-cries-shes-cleared-forming-31524206

R v PB [2023] – Defendant charged with multiple counts of sexual activity with a child dating back to 1979

R v CS [2023]– Multiple counts of sexual activity with a child, including over 10,000 electronic messages as part of the evidence. James obtained a 2-year suspended sentence. The case was referred to the Court of Appeal by the AG as an unduly lenient sentence. After submissions James was able to persuade the Appeal Court not to increase the sentence (Court of Appeal, Criminal Division)

R v GV [2021] – Represented the Defendant after a guilty plea where he was given a 2-year Community Order for S14 offences of intent to commit sexual activity with a child. The matter was referred to the Court of Appeal by the AG as an unduly lenient sentence. A special Court was convened headed by LJ Fulford where James made legal arguments on both the sentence and the application of the case of Privett to sexual offences sentences. (Court of Appeal, Criminal Division. Reported as the case of Brown and Others).