James qualified as a solicitor in 1996 and since that time has practised in criminal defence. He qualified at Edward Fail, Bradshaw & Waterson in East London and subsequently worked at Simons Muirhead & Burton and The Stokoe Partnership. He ran his own practice, Nicholls & Co, in South London before becoming a Consultant Solicitor with Shearman Bowen in 2007 and then in 2009 with Birds Solicitors.

He has substantial experience and expertise in defending the whole range of criminal cases most notably serious criminal allegations, including murder, firearms and sexual offences, fraud and drug trafficking. He also specialises in confiscation proceedings under the Drug Trafficking Act 1994 and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

His expertise in confiscation and enforcement matters pursued under the current proceeds of crime legislation has led him being referred a high volume of cases in this area of law including applications for Certificates of Inadequacy and applications to reduce confiscation orders and appeals.

James has established his practice through client referral. He is dedicated to his clients. He approaches each case with insightful analysis and attention to detail and thoroughly prepares his client's case from start to finish. He is known for his personable and straight forward manner in advising clients and guiding them through the criminal justice process.

His practice is not restricted to London and in the last 10 years he has represented clients in trials before the Birmingham, Coventry, Warwick and Wolverhampton, Liverpool and Newcastle Crown Courts as well as courts on the South Coast such as Exeter, Bournemouth and Portsmouth.

He has substantial expertise in appeals against conviction and sentence and in the drafting of petitions to the Criminal Cases Review Commission for the review of convictions.

James has substantial experience in police station representation and has been a Duty Solicitor since 1997.

Notable Cases

Homicide & Serious Violence
• R-v-C [2011], Wolverhampton Crown Court. Murder.
• R-v-H [2011], Oxford Crown Court. A series of Armed Robberies in Oxford.
• R-v-S & Others [2008], Central Criminal Court. Multi-handed gang related murder within the Sri Lankan community.
• R-v-B [2006], Exeter Crown Court. Murder.
• R-v-M [2005], Central Criminal Court. Murder.
• R-v-D [2004], Croydon Crown Court. Death by dangerous driving.
• R-v- S [2004], Norwich Crown Court. Multi-handed case of violent disorder involving serious violence at Hindu religious festival

Fraud
• R-v-W [2011], Central Criminal Court. Conspiracy to defraud. "Ponzi Scheme" fraud valued at £250,000.
• R-v-B [2010], Wood Green Crown Court. Acted for main defendant in multi-handed conspiracy to defraud & money laundering. Internet holiday villa fraud valued in excess of £200,000.
• R-v-N [2010], Ipswich Crown Court. Mortgage fraud valued in excess of £500,000.
• R-v-G [2009], Southwark Crown Court. Acted for the main defendant in a multi-handed conspiracy to defraud & FSMA regulatory offences. "Boiler Room" fraud valued at in excess of £3m.
• R-v-B [2009], Southwark Crown Court. Multi-handed fraudulent trading, conspiracy to launder criminal proceeds valued at in excess of £1m.
• R-v- S [2006], Coventry Crown Court. Multi-handed conspiracy to evade excise duty on fuel in excess of £3m.

Firearms, Drugs & other "gang" offences
• R-v- J [2011], Birmingham Crown Court. Multi-handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs between the Midlands and Scotland involving evidence of a "supergrass" under a SOCPA agreement.
• R-v-H [2011], Canterbury Crown Court. Importation of heroin between Holland and the UK.
• R-v-S [2010], Liverpool Crown Court. Multi-handed conspiracy to import Class A drugs between Holland and the UK.
• R-v-F [2010], Newcastle Crown Court. Conspiracy to supply cannabis and Amphetamine.
• R-v- M [2009], Teeside Crown Court. Supply of cocaine, money laundering & fraud.
• R-v- F [2008], Newcastle Crown Court. Multi-handed conspiracy to supply 50kg of heroin.
• R-v-B [2005], Bournemouth Crown Court. Series of armed robberies in the home counties.

Sexual Offences
• Instructed in over 15 rape cases. Most notably:
R-v-K [2004]. Central Criminal Court. Allegation of gang rape against a juvenile defendant.
R-v-M [2005]. Central criminal Court. Multiple allegations of rape involving separate complainants against a juvenile defendant.
R-v-N [2005], Snaresbrook Crown Court. Historic rape allegation.

Road Traffic Offences
• James has been instructed for the last 10 years by the London Fire Brigade to represent its drivers involved in Road Traffic collisions occurring in "blue light" emergency conditions.

Confiscation
R-v- S [2010], Liverpool Crown Court. Benefit and realisable asset figure sought of £1.6m. The case involved forensic analysis of over 50 solicitors' conveyancing files to trace origin of the clients' assets obtained through legitimate property transactions. Confiscation order made by the court in the sum of £120,000.
R-v-G [2010], Southwark Crown Court. Benefit and realisable asset figure sought in the sum of £3.2m. Involved the obtaining of evidence relating to the client's previous Voluntary Arrangement and legal argument that he had no assets available for confiscation. Confiscation order made in the sum of £350,000.

Appeals
• James has acted for clients in appeals against conviction and sentence to the Court of Appeal relating to the following offences: murder, attempted murder, rape, conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to evade excise duty ("Operation Crystal", London City Bond related case), conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Affiliations
London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association, Criminal Appeal Lawyers Association,
Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association.