After taking silk in 1999 James appeared in numerous criminal appeals including some of the highest profile cases, sometimes after appearing for appellants at trial, and being unsuccessful. Just some examples include:

• Terrorist cases including: 21/7 Bombers’ accomplice (Girma 2005); the Al Quaida MI5 torture case (Habid Ahmed and others 2009): the BA Bomber (Rajib Karim 2010); The Stock Exchange bomb attack (Omar Latif and others 2012)
   
• Animal Rights. SHAC (Stop Huntingdon Life Science) Appeals (Avery and others 2008)
   
• Money Laundering, Fraud and Drugs, involving informant, and PII issues and Special Counsel: Yilmaz (2007), Choudhery on controlled importations (2005)
   
• Murders galore on joint enterprise and sentence, and directions
   
• CCRC referrals mostly for murder including: Manochehe Bahmanzadeh (2012), Andrew Reeves, (2008), Evans, (2014), Firkins (2020), and Ross (2025), 
   
• Direct Access conviction Appeals. Dodds, indecent images (2013), Miah murder (2024)

James’ extensive terrorism work in major terrorist trials commenced as a junior with the Birmingham 6, and trials involving IRA activists. In silk he appeared in almost every major terrorist trial in the first quarter of the century. He is familiar with the philosophy, politics, writings and texts which often form a part of these prosecutions. His terrorist cases have raised many different issues from fitness to plead (Fattah Mohammed Abdullah CCC 2020), through psychiatric and medical defences (Mohammed Hassan, Manchester 2018), Abuse of process (Jubayer Chowdhury and Mohammed Rizwan 2013), Money laundering (Haji 2008), and (in those extensively cited under TAB 1 above) the most complex issues of disclosure, PII, Abuse of Process, admissibility and legal interpretation.

Over many years, James has appeared in many major high profile criminal trials primarily involving numerous homicides, major gangland frauds, drug and money laundering cases, gangland murders and targeted assassinations of the gravest kind. His interest in cases raising unusual or political issues, has seen James being instructed in many cases raising issues of animal rights, rights of protest, the use of drugs, religious freedom, and whose politics have brought them into conflict with the criminal law. James prioritizes defending those who find their religious, personal or political beliefs have put them in conflict with the criminal law. He is, though, available for cases involving lesser criminal offences which raise issues of complexity, sensitivity or issues of principal, human rights or state oppression.

In his youth James made his name appearing for protesters and litigating the right to protest on the streets (See Pedro v Diss (1981) 72 Cr. App.R.193 - foundational case about the limits of police powers and the right to self-defence). In the 1980's he appeared in the Orgreave riot trials, and other important cases arising from the Miner's strike. At that time, he also appeared in the Newham 7 anti racism case and represented many anti-apartheid demonstrators. He has a longstanding involvement in issues concerning animal rights and has represented many ALF members and leaders. He appeared in many of the direct-action animal laboratory occupation and animal rescue trials and has appeared for many of the alleged leader of the of the leading animal rights activists in many prosecutions.

Past key cases include:

• Conspiracy to blackmail allegation concerning animal rights activities by SHAC;

• Acting for principal defendant in the SHAC Huntingdon Life Science blackmail trial;

• Convictions for involvement in the Birmingham Riots of 2011. 

Whilst not a principal area of practice, James has appeared in the High Court leading junior members of Doughty Street's highly regarded extradition matters.

James was appointed to the panel of counsel to the International Criminal Court in 2010. He has appeared in a number of Privy Council death row cases from the Caribbean and has been instrumental in the development of chambers’ engagement across the field of international criminal law, including in Hong Kong. Key work includes:

• The $HK 83 billion Feng Shui Will forgery case (2016) in the Hong Kong Court of Appeal (Chan Chun Chuen), a high profile lengthy criminal appeal involving documentation extending from civil probate proceedings which led to the defendant’s arrest, and extensive trial material over many thousands of pages;
   
• Benjamin and Ganga - death sentence case in the Privy Council in the Trinidad and Tobago concerning confession evidence and the constitutionality of the mandatory death sentence in cases of the mentally impaired.
   
• Hewey (2024) in the Privy council (see above AND HERE)

Over the years James has appeared in a number of major fraud cases including international corporate frauds, money laundering, and dealing with all aspects of significant financial investigations, including confiscation and forfeiture proceedings. He has provided corporate advice and pre charge advisory work, and over many years, has appeared in cases relating to VAT, carousel, passport, immigration and financial frauds. James has also been instructed in hearings before regulatory and disciplinary professional bodies and has a particular interest in those relating to sports law.

Examples of work to date include:

• major private prosecution of the former Chief Executive and owner of multi-jurisdictional Delphis Bank in Mauritius (derived from the BCCI banking collapse) involving wholesale deceptions and theft and requiring detailed analysis of contemporary and historical corporate documentation from multiple jurisdictions.
   

• multi-million-pound investigations conducted against alleged gangsters and money launderers;

James has experience in many forms of tribunal. His vast experience in criminal matters assist him in adapting to all forms of regulatory tribunals, and particularly those involving quasi-criminal allegations of misconduct or inappropriate behaviour.

James has always been a member of Inquest Lawyers Group, and has been occasionally instructed (when available), both in silk and as a junior, in Inquest concerning deaths in custody, police shootings, and in cases of medical irregularity and suicide.

Between 2023 and to date James is instructed in the Under Cover Police Inquiry on behalf of a very large number of animal rights activists (some of whom he previously represented at trial) and other justice and campaigning groups. He is experienced in and open to Inquiry work.

As a pleading junior James instigated, pleaded and gained damages in many hundreds of actions against the Police, and public authorities. Including such celebrities as the gold medal sprinter Linford Christie, and the professional boxer Audley Harrison, Now James is brought in to advise on merits of claims already commenced by juniors as an experienced litigator in the most complex and serious of actions. Long experienced in significant trial work with an extensive practice in actions against the police, he primarily advises on merits and strategy in the context of past or present police conduct and possible pending proceedings against public authorities. In silk in 2017 he conducted the secret trial of A v A Chief Constable (2017) which involved complex issues on disclosure and privilege. 

James has been top ranked for General Crime in both Chamber & Partners and The Legal 500 for many years.

"A formidable intellect, is a fearsome advocate and, for a criminal KC, he is unusual in a sense that he has got good courtroom presence and his people work is also very good". Chambers & Partners 2026

"Formidable advocate with great intellect who gets the court's attention. Excellent with both written and oral submissions." The Legal 500 2026

"A very good advocate who is very determined, James is a great fighter on behalf of his clients". Chambers & Partners 2025

"One of the titans of criminal defence and appeals work. He is intellectually formidable and gets full attention in court from the judges. One of the easiest silks to work with." The Legal 500 2025

"Formidable: he's all over the detail and spots where the weaknesses on the other side are and then goes for them". Chambers & Partners 2024

“James is an authoritative barrister who brings years of experience to the job. He is a fearless and forthright cross-examiner and a determined advocate.” The Legal 500 2024

“He has an innate ability to orchestrate his junior legal team members with charming modesty and interested encouragement ensuring that, under his tutelage, no evidential stone remains unturned nor legal argument discarded without assessment, investigation and development". James "continues to tower above colleagues as a heavy criminal silk, always delivering that extra pivotal trial ingredient for his defence instructing solicitor". Chambers & Partners 2024

“One of the finest silks in the UK. Real courtroom presence, excellent to work with, knows the case inside out and excellent client care skills. One of the old-school legends still at the Bar.” The Legal 500 2023

“Tactically very good and has an excellent manner with clients. He will always stand his ground on issues and will take difficult points with relish. Incredibly bright and formidable in court. Fearless as an advocate and brilliant at tactics. Very approachable, works incredibly hard and keeps in close contact. Turns work around immediately and totally reliable.” (2022 directory editions)

"A skilled practitioner who is highly sought after for terrorism cases. Committed to both private and publicly funded work, his practice also consists of challenging and complex cases relating to murder and drug offences. He further has experience of handling complex gang-related matters." and as "tenacious and thorough Chambers & Partners 2021

“A fantastic man to go into battle with and one of the most respected silks in crime.’” The Legal 500 2021

"Fearless, committed and has a ferocious appetite for cases." (2019 directory editions) 

An “unstoppable appellate advocate". "His intellect is intimidating, his advocacy is fearless and tactically he is incredibly astute. The most anxious and demanding clients feel safe in his hands and juries listen to what he has to say even when it is unpalatable." (2018 directory editions)

"One of the all-time greats. At his best, he is a force of nature." "Has intellect and gravitas. He's very good with clients and taken seriously by judge" (2017 directory editions)

"A very able lawyer with a bright legal mind." "When he is in court he is like an unstoppable force” ; a “Heavyweight criminal barrister acclaimed for his courtroom presence, work ethic and experience.” (2016 directory editions)

James will consider direct access approaches in all areas of work, particularly in Criminal Appeal work and short trials not involving mitigations, evidential or litigation issues.

He has achieved victories for a number of direct access clients in cases that were taken post-trial on appeal out of time.