James qualified in 1988 and has practised law in Exeter ever since.
In the early years of his career he dealt with all manner of litigation matters, specifically child care work, mental health work, and youth court work – in addition to general criminal litigation.
James trained in Plymouth before moving to Exeter to work at Crosse and Crosse where he eventually became a partner. Subsequently, he was head hunted to work at Stephens Scown and continued in practice there before setting up his own firm Nunn Rickard Solicitor Advocates.
James branched out on his own after parting ways with Mr Nunn and now works for us as a consultant.
James has gained his Higher Rights of Audience, and has dealt with extensively the serious cases relating to youths charged with serious sexual offences, youth court trials, Crown Court trials where the defendant is unfit to plead and generally where defendants are vulnerable through mental impairment or youth. James has dealt with regulatory offences dealing with corporate manslaughter cases where company directors are facing charges of manslaughter on the basis of alleged negligence, defending cases brought by both the police and the Health and Safety Executive. He has also dealt with allegations of environmental pollution prosecuted by the Environment Agency, as well as prosecutions of farmers in respect of environmental breaches and the importation of veterinary medication illegally. He has also dealt with high profile cases relating to false allegations of sexual assault and historic allegations of sexual assault.
James specialises in trials, and where possible winning those trials, providing a robust and intelligent defence that is very well respected by the legal community at large and by his clients.
James is a well-known advocate in the area and throughout the South West. James is able to inspire confidence in clients and give them practical and sensible advice and not give false hopes to anybody in respect of their case but tell it as it is. James has a reputation for plain speaking and has developed a reputation for straightforwardness both with clients and the Courts.
In September 2018 James was appointed as an Independent Qualified Legal Chair for Police Misconduct Hearings by the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall and Dorset Police. These panels are there to ensure that the highly skilled and trained police force maintains public credibility and scrutiny in the event that a complaint of misconduct is made.
