About
James is a Solicitor and Lecturer based at Liverpool Law Clinic, part of the School of Law and Social Justice at the University of Liverpool.
He teaches on the Clinical Legal Skills module and offers extra curricular projects to students in his specialist area of Special Educational Needs Law, Disability and Children's rights and Judicial Review. James' SEN Judicial Review Project was Highly Commended at the Law Works Attorney General Pro Bono Awards 2024.
Prior to joining the University of Liverpool, James worked in private practice for over 10 years developing a reputation for his work in Special Educational Needs and Disability (‘SEND’) law. He is recognised to be an expert in the field by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners guides.
The majority of James’ work in private practice focussed on supporting parents of disabled children to challenge local authority decisions in respect of education and social care provision. James also represented looked after children, care leavers and disabled adults to secure the support required to meet their individual needs.
His reported cases include:
• TM and SM v Liverpool City Council [2024] UKUT 201 (AAC) - a case which has emphasised the importance of considering the child’s wishes and feelings when making placement decisions and confirmed a decision that does not take this into account may be unlawful. The case has been widely publicised and commented on
• DM v Cornwall County Council [2022] UKUT 230 (AAC) – An appeal to the Upper Tribunal in which it was confirmed that provision may need to appear more explicitly in a case where a child is being educated outside of school (sometimes referred to as EOTAS provision).
• Re Z (A Child: Deprivation of Liberty: Transition Plan) [2020] EWHC 3038 (Fam) – in which the High Court gave guidance to local authorities and families seeking to move a child into a placement where restraint and restrictions on liberty are required.
• L (An Infant), R (On the Application Of) v Buckinghamshire County Council [2019] EWHC 1817 – in which, for the first time, the High Court considered the law in relation to Children’s Centres.
James has also advised schools on pupil related issues and regularly delivers training on special educational needs law to charities, schools and other lawyers.
Prizes or Honours
- Special Educational Needs Judicial Review Project - Highly Commended for Best New Pro Bono Activity (LawWorks and Attorney General's Student Pro Bono Awards 2024, 2024)