People

Practice overview

James accepts instructions in all aspect of Family law.

In public law (care) proceedings he represents Local Authorities, parents, other family members, and children. He is routinely instructed in complex fact findings including non-accidental injuries, serious sexual offences and other significant threshold issues such as disordered eating, coercive control and domestic abuse and violence. He has long experience in cases involving the deprivation of liberty of children.

James appears in all aspects of private law proceedings including disputes over who children should live with and spend time with. He has considerable experience in cases involving removal from the Jurisdiction and internal relocation. He accepts instructions for parents, other family members, and children.

James has many years of professional experience in representing clients with mental health or personality issues.

Father of a serving soldier, James has a particular interest and expertise in representing the service personnel and their families as well as regularly welcoming instructions on behalf of veterans, with the range of issues that they often bring to the Courts.

James was for many years the secretary and then elected Chair of the Family Law Bar Association (Devon and Cornwall).

James welcomes Direct Access instructions.

James is a Pupil supervisor. His pupils have all successfully qualified. All remain in practice, both locally and internationally.