James’ current and/or recent instructions include:
- A prospective claim against a local authority on behalf of a teenager with special educational needs, seeking redress for contravention of Article 2 Protocol 1 ECHR (assisting Ian Wise KC).
- Advice to a disability rights organisation in an appeal to the Upper Tribunal against a decision of the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber) concerning Personal Independence Payment entitlement and overpayment (assisting Khatija Hafesji).
- Advice and drafting in a challenge to a provisional decision by the Disclosure and Barring Service to retain an individual on the Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists (unled).
James has worked on the following matters during pupillage:
Individuals:
- R (ERD) v London Borough of Hounslow [2026] EWHC 1439 (Admin), a judicial review concerning a local authority’s duties under the Housing Act 1996 and the Children Acts 1989 and 2004 (assisting Michael Armitage and Natalie Nguyen, for the Claimant).
- Molnar/Vargova v SSHD [2026] EWCA Civ 31, on appeal to the Supreme Court, concerning the deportation of EU citizens with indefinite leave to remain for crimes committed in the UK post-Brexit (assisting Ian Rogers KC, for the Independent Monitoring Authority).
- A claim against a local authority on behalf of a teenager with special educational needs, seeking redress for contravention of Article 14 ECHR read with Article 2 Protocol 1 ECHR, and Article 8 ECHR, as well as negligence (assisting Ian Wise KC).
- A judicial review concerning a local authority’s duty to provide suitable accommodation under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 (assisting Ciar McAndrew).
- A defence to a claim against a public body, seeking damages for false imprisonment.
Commercial/regulatory public law:
- Qualifications for Industry Ltd v Ofqual [2026] UKFTT 00529 (GRC), an appeal against a monetary penalty for non-compliance with conditions for recognition as a qualifications‑awarding body (assisting Michael Armitage, for Ofqual).
- Advice on a potential judicial review challenge to a decision taken by the operator of a major transport hub.
- Advice on the interpretation of the Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) Regulations 2012.
- A claim against Ofcom in relation to enforcement action.