Public Law Children

James is regularly instructed in complex, public law cases. Recent instructions include cases involving allegations of serious child sexual abuse, extensive child sexual exploitation networks, fabricated and induced illness, catastrophic brain injury, fractures, burns, failure to thrive and death.

Private Law Children

James’ expertise covers all aspects of private law, including removal from the jurisdiction, internal relocation, findings of fact in relation to sexual abuse, physical and emotional abuse. James’ experience in private family law matters is extensive. He has achieved successes during difficult and protracted cases and has a particularly high success rate.

Cases of note include:

C & C (2019) – representing a father facing allegations of sexual abuse against his four-year-old daughter.

A & A (2018) – removal from the jurisdiction to a non-Hague Convention country.

W & W (2017) – representing a father facing allegations of historic sexual abuse.

V & T (2016) – in the High Court, representing a child seeking not to disclose details of her gender dysphoria to parents

2023 – leading Miss Gemma Carr before the High Court in a four week finding of fact hearing defending allegations of sexual abuse;
2022 – representing a Local Authority bringing allegations of serious physical and sexual abuse;
2021 – representing the local authority in test case before the High Court regarding covid 19 immunisations of looked after children;
2020 – representing an intervenor, before the High Court, in a five-week finding of fact hearing;
2019 / 20 – Leading Miss Marie Harbin in a three-week finding of fact hearing defending allegations of historic sexual abuse and fabricated induced illness;
2019 – Led by Mr John Tughan QC, representing a parent defending allegations of significant head injury resulting in the death of a child;
Re: C 2018 – representing a Local Authority during a six-week finding of fact hearing relating to historic sexual abuse;

Head of Public Law Children Team

Joint Director of Pupillage

Family Law Bar Association (FLBA) Former Secretary of the North Eastern Circuit FLBA North Eastern Circuit Lawyers for Children