James practises principally in the fields of employment and discrimination law, and civil actions against the police. He also practises in the fields of media, sports, public, commercial, election and human rights law.
He has been ranked in the highest band of juniors in both employment law and police law in Chambers and Partners for several years, being nominated for Employment Junior of the Year in both 2010 and 2011, and is also highly ranked in employment and human rights in the Legal 500. 2010 entries include:
“...undoubted star…whose extremely proactive approach and superb advocacy" win him many votaries. Commentators note that "he is aggressive where necessary but exercises good judgement at all times." (Employment Law, Chambers & Partners)
“…unbeatable in cross-examination” (Police Law, Chambers & Partners)
“...first-class advocate who is supremely intelligent and totally committed” (Employment, Legal 500)
Employment
He is equally at ease acting for claimants and respondents/defendants. He represents a range of clients including a range of trade unions, the Equality and Human Rights Commission and blue chip companies both in the United Kingdom and overseas.
James has very extensive experience in conducting long and complex trials. In recent years he has been involved in some of the most high-profile and challenging employment claims in England. He has a particular interest in confidentiality and privacy issues and is very familiar with the issues that arise in cases which have a high media interest.
James is also a very experienced appellate practitioner and has had more reported employment cases in the last decade than any other junior at the employment bar. These reported cases illustrate the breadth of his practice, covering all forms of discrimination, whistleblowing, human rights, TUPE, working time, trade unions, restrictive covenants and more.
Civil Actions Against the Police
James acts for claimants in claims of assault, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and allied causes of action against the police and other public bodies. He is equally at home in trial and acting on appeals, and is instructed by many of the leading solicitors in the field.
Election Law
Following the 2010 parliamentary and local elections, James attracted instructions in two electoral challenges. He appeared for the petitioner, Elwyn Watkins, in his successful challenge to the election of Phil Woolas in Oldham East & Saddleworth on the ground that he had published falsehoods about his opponent, the first successful challenge in 99 years. Led by Helen Mountfield QC, James undertook all of the cross-examination in the case, including the cross-examination of Mr Woolas himself. He also appeared in the subsequent judicial review application (Woolas v. Watkins [2010] EWHC 3169).
James also appeared in the successful challenge to the local election result in a ward in Waltham Forest following a miscount.
Other Information
James is in demand as a speaker and broadcaster, and writes widely on topics of interest. He is the author of the chapters on harassment and discrimination in Bullen & Leake & Jacob’s Precedents of Pleadings and is a contributing author to the Butterworths Employment Law Guide. He is a member of the Industrial Law Society, the Employment Lawyers Association, the Police Action Lawyers Group, the Bar Pro Bono Unit and ELAAS.