James Ross
Barrister | Called 2001
Background
Having been awarded a degree in history from University College London, James studied law at City University and completed the Bar Vocational Course at the Inns of Court School of Law. During this period he was an England and Wales finalist at the John Smith Mace university debating competition and came top of his year in the Gray’s Inn advocacy assessments.
James’ expertise
Criminal Law
Since 2001 James has practiced in all areas of criminal law. He has specialised in the following areas:
- Offences of violence (up to and including murder)
- Sexual offences (up to and including rape of minors)
- Fraud, Trading Standards, money laundering, and proceeds of crime
- Military Law/Court Martial
- Cybercrime/computer fraud
- Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs
- Modern slavery/people trafficking
- Counterfeit goods and trading standards offences
- Serious motoring offences.
James has considerable experience of dealing with cases involving modern slavery, youth defendants, those with mental illness, and other vulnerable individuals.
Notable Cases
- R v T: (2022: Maidstone Crown Court) successfully defended a man accused of raping a 12-year-old girl
- R v B: (2022: Croydon Crown Court) successfully prosecuted a man accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on his partner
- R v R: (2022: Bulford Military Court Centre) successfully defended a serving soldier accused of assaulting a fellow soldier
- R v P: (2022: Southwark Crown Court) prosecuted a man who was writing and selling bespoke computer programs designed to effect computer frauds – in this case negotiation at court resulted in his entering guilty pleas and the avoidance of a trial)
- R v B: (2022: Kingston Crown Court) successfully defended a man who was accused of sending malicious communications by telephone and post.
- R v B: (2022: Canterbury Crown Court) successfully prosecuted a man accused of controlling and coercive behaviour against his partner
- R v M: (2022: Canterbury Crown Court) successfully defended a man accused of assaulting a vulnerable complainant. Pre-recorded cross-examination of the complainant was mandated by the court.
- R v B: (2021: Isleworth Crown Court) successfully defended a man accused of unlawful wounding. Halfway through the trial the prosecution case was dismissed following a successful legal submission of no case to answer on behalf of the defendant
- R v P: (2021: Maidstone Crown Court) successfully prosecuted a man accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm
- R v C: (2021: Maidstone Crown Court) successfully defended a man accused of unlawfully wounding his partner
- R v P: (2021: Canterbury Crown Court) successfully prosecuted a man assisting migrants to evade immigration controls
- R v B: (2021: Maidstone Crown Court) successfully defended a man accused of burglary. Successful legal argument led to the exclusion of prosecution identification evidence and the prosecution offering no evidence
- R v P: (2021: Canterbury Crown Court) successfully defended a man accused of handling stolen machinery
Professional Memberships
Crown Prosecution Service – Grade 3 Prosecutor
Criminal Bar Association