James advises large public companies on mergers and acquisitions and property companies on acquisitions throughout Europe. He is often called upon by high net wealth individuals from around the world to provide advice on complicated commercial and family dispute resolution. His in depth legal knowledge is eclipsed only by his common sense approach to problem solving.
He assisted the Government of Gibraltar on its development of the jurisdiction as a finance centre. This has included advice on anti-money laundering, banking, insurance, financial services and trust legislation.
James pioneered the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Gibraltar and is a qualified Mediator.
He advised the Government of Gibraltar in the 1980s/ 1990s in respect of the transposition of a backlog of EU Directives. He also advised the Government of Gibraltar in the landmark Spanish Pension Case. He advised TGWU (now Unite) in their successful challenge of the Ministry of Defence's decision of the Naval Base under the Crown Proceedings Act.
James was a contributing author to Tolley's 'Tax Planning International', joint editor of Tolley's 'Taxation in Gibraltar' and a frequent lecturer on various aspects of financial services legislation.
An Honours graduate from Manchester University, James attended the Council of Legal Education in London and qualified in 1972, becoming a partner of Hassans soon after in 1974. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in October 2002. He is the only lawyer in Gibraltar to have been rated "Star performer" by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 for three years in a row. In May 2008 he received the highly prestigious "Life Time Achievement Award" from Chambers and Partners.