I have always been impressed with James’ knowledge of the law, professionalism, drafting skills and communication. He has gone from strength to strength on the family circuit in the South West over the last couple of years. It is very rare to find newly qualified counsel that you trust immediately.”

Professional client

James is a specialist barrister practising exclusively in family law.

James is a tactically astute and sought-after advocate who is meticulous in his case preparation. He acts in public and private law children cases and adopts a pragmatic but sensitive approach to his work.

His calmness under pressure and ability to manage complexity mean that James has been instructed in serious cases against counsel many years his senior. He represented the respondent child as a lone junior in the Court of Appeal in Re H (A Child: Contact: Domestic Abuse) EWCA Civ 326. The court said that it was after James’ submissions in particular that it was satisfied that the Recorder’s decision at first instance was not invalidated.

James has appeared on several occasions in the High Court. He was instructed as a led junior at a fact-finding hearing in the Family Court involving an allegation of rape made by a daughter against her father and the forensic analysis of thousands of pages of mobile phone data.

Background

Originally from Cornwall, James studied the Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of Law in Exeter before undertaking his Bar Vocational Studies at City, University of London. He is a Lord Denning scholar of Lincoln’s Inn.

James originally studied Education with Geography at St John’s College, University of Cambridge. He graduated top of his class with a Starred First, before completing his MPhil in Psychology and Education funded jointly by St John’s College and the Isaac Newton Trust.

Whilst at Cambridge, James was the recipient of numerous academic awards and prizes and was published in the SAGE Handbook of Developmental Psychology and Early Childhood Education. He also worked within research teams at the Play in Education, Development and Learning (PEDAL) centre, established with funding from the LEGO Foundation.

Publications

  • Whitebread, D., & Adams, J. R. (2019). How Children Learn. In D. Whitebread with V. Grau, M.McClelland, D.P. Pasternak, & N. Perry (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Developmental Psychology and Early Childhood Education. SAGE Publications Ltd.

Cases

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Client Quotes

I have instructed James on a number of occasions on a variety of matters, including a complex case with an international element. I have always been impressed with James’ knowledge of the law, professionalism, drafting skills and communication. Even when he first joined the Bar, I felt James was a safe pair of hands and he has gone from strength to strength on the family circuit in the South West over the last couple of years. I have recommended and will continue to recommend him to colleagues. It is very rare to find newly qualified counsel that you trust immediately.”

Professional client

James is always an extremely safe pair of hands. From the outset of receiving instructions, James starts putting together a highly coherent and robust case. James is consistently helpful in drafting key documents and advising in specific areas which may require more careful thought. James’ methodical approach and clear feedback progresses all cases he is instructed on.”

Professional client

Could I just say that James has been wonderful to instruct. For such a newly qualified barrister, I would highly recommend him and I would instruct again.”

Professional client

Just to let you know that James has finished our case this morning and the client is absolutely delighted. We are going to be making another application in the next couple of months and the client is really keen for James to deal with that application as she sees him as part of her legal team. I know that James is fairly junior but he has done an absolutely fantastic job for us. Really sensible, clear advice and really easy to use so I couldn’t recommend him enough.”

Professional client

  • Qualifications & awards:

    • Bachelor of Arts (University of Cambridge; Education with Geography; Starred/Double First and top of class)
    • Master of Philosophy (University of Cambridge; Psychology and Education)
    • Graduate Diploma in Law (University of Law; Distinction)
    • Postgraduate Diploma in Bar Vocational Studies (City, University of London; Merit)

    Awards

    • McAulay Scholarship (2017; St John’s College, University of Cambridge)
      For First Class performance in Part I of the Education Tripos
    • Wright Prize (2017; St John’s College, University of Cambridge)
      For First Class performance in Part I of the Education Tripos being judged to be of special merit, usually within the top third of the First Class across the university
    • Quass (Shared) Year Prize (2017; St John’s College, University of Cambridge)
      For being of special merit and one of the best candidates in the college in the year, irrespective of subject
    • McAulay Scholarship (2018; St John’s College, University of Cambridge)
      For First Class performance in Part II of the Education Tripos
    • Wright Prize (2018; St John’s College, University of Cambridge)
      For First Class performance in Part II of the Education Tripos being judged to be of special merit, usually within the top third of the First Class across the university
    • Hughes (Shared) Year Prize (2018; St John’s College, University of Cambridge)
      For being of special merit and one of the best candidates in the college in the year, irrespective of subject
    • Winifred Georgina Holgate Pollard Memorial Prize (University of Cambridge)
      For outstanding performance on the University of Cambridge Education Tripos
    • Master’s Scholarship (St John’s College, University of Cambridge)
    • Isaac Newton Trust College Master’s Scholarship
    • Lord Denning Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn)
      Residential bar course scholarship
    • Bar Vocational Studies Scholarship (City Law School, City, University of London)

  • Professional memberships:

    • Family Law Bar Association
    • Denning Society, Lincoln’s Inn
    • Western Circuit

  • James Adams is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please read here.