In Public law proceedings, James is regularly instructed in the most complex of cases; for parents, local authorities and children. A hard work ethic means that voluminous papers are assimilated efficiently, and issues quickly identified. James is an effective communicator, responding rapidly and providing practical, common-sense legal advice.
James routinely deals with the following types of Public law cases:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Chronic and long-term neglect
- Fabricated illness
- Parents with serious mental-health/learning difficulties involving the instruction of the Official Solicitor
- Secure Accommodation applications.
James accepts instructions in all types of Private law disputes. He appreciates that to a parent, all disputes involving children are of the utmost importance, whether they concern the most serious of abuse or specific issues such as changes of school or residence. He has an approachable manner, quickly building relationships with clients whereby they can trust in his advice and guidance, as well as become confident he will advance their case to the best of his capabilities.
In James’ Private law practice, his cases involve:
- Fact findings involving physical and sexual abuse of children
- Domestic violence and rape
- Removal from the jurisdiction
- Changes of schooling and/or residence.
Cases of interest:
Re H Representation of the Local Authority in respect of proceedings relating to a child whose parents were charged with the most serious criminal charges. This involved undertaking numerous hearings in the Crown Court in joint family and criminal proceedings as well as successfully applying for a Reporting Restriction Order in which the press at large were injuncted against any publishing of relevant details.
Re T Representation of the Local Authority in respect of extremely complex fact finding hearing in which he successfully sought findings against the parents that they had inflicted 15 separate fractures to their five-month-old child.
Re M Representation of the Local Authority in proceedings in which a mother was seeking the return of two children to her care following her conviction for Infanticide of their sibling. This case involved difficult issues relating to Jurisdiction and the application of the relevant sections of Brussels IIR.
Re G Sole representation of a mother in public law proceedings in which it was alleged that she had caused the death of her eldest child through methadone ingestion.
Re S Representation of a parent in respect of enforcement proceedings relating to an order whereby their child was to reside with them. On granting of the order, the non-resident parent unlawfully removed the child from the jurisdiction to non-Hague countries for a significant period.
Re A Representation of a father in Private law proceedings in which he was accused of repeatedly raping his ex-partner and neglecting his child. All findings were successfully opposed and contact was ordered in his favour.
Re E Representation of a high-profile client in respect of a difficult Private law dispute relating to which school the children ought to attend.
Family Clerks:
Michael Harding
E: michael.harding@albionchambers.co.uk
T: 0117 311 0302
Julie Hathway
E: julie.hathway@albionchambers.co.uk
T: 0117 311 0305
Marcus Harding
E: marcus.harding@albionchambers.co.uk
T: 0117 311 0314
