James Legg

Year of Call: 2011
Email Address: james.legg@3pb.co.uk
Telephone: 020 7583 8055

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Overview

James is a family law specialist with a level of experience beyond his year of call acquired as a result of being instructed in many complex cases. His practice encompasses Public Law, Private Law and Family Finance.

Expertise

  • Family
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    James is a family law specialist with a level of experience beyond his year of call acquired as a result of being instructed in many complex cases. His practice encompasses the following areas:

    Family finance

    James is regularly instructed in a broad spectrum of financial settlement proceedings including matters relating to matrimonial finance, Schedule 1 applications, transfers of tenancy, enforcement, applications for interim relief (such as maintenance pending suit) and trust disputes. He provides assistance as in-house counsel to a top international firm of solicitors with a leading presence in ‘big money’ cases involving high-net-worth clients.

    He also advises and represents clients in proceedings relating to cohabitation claims, with a particular interest in those made under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA), and enforcement of child maintenance payments.

    Children - Private law

    James's private law children practice encompasses the full range of applications under the Children Act, including applications for Child Arrangements Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and Specific Issue Orders. He regularly appears in proceedings that are considering issues of residence, contact, schooling, removal of children from the jurisdiction and surrogacy. James also has a particular expertise in cases involving suspected parental alienation and intended relocation.

    Children - Public law

    James has a wealth of experience of representing all parties in care proceedings, including the children acting through their guardians and prospective special guardians. He is regularly instructed in multi-day final hearings and has had a busy appellate practice. James frequently appears in proceedings involving vulnerable clients, cross-examination of expert witnesses, allegations of non-accidental injuries and sexual abuse, and applications for adoptive orders.

    Other relevant experience

    James has been instructed in cases involving applications for declarations of parentage, non-molestation orders and occupation orders. He is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public and professional clients under the Direct Public Access Scheme.

    In addition to his experience within the courts of this jurisdiction, James has a developing international practice. He has recently advised and appeared before the courts in the Falkland Islands in relation to a multi-day fact-finding hearing.

    When working for the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights in Phnom Penh, James drafted legal submissions to the Supreme Court of Cambodia on behalf of a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and Member of the Cambodian Parliament. He also spent time providing legal assistance to inmates facing the death penalty in prisons across North Eastern Botswana and has worked alongside the Law Society of England and Wales in responding to international human rights abuses.

    James was also previously engaged as a consultant with the highly reputable city firm, providing advice and practical assistance in an international dispute relating to government backed investment portfolios.

    James is dedicated to utilising his skills to benefit his community and has provided pro-bono family and civil law assistance at community centres.

    Reported cases

    Languages

    James speaks basic Afrikaans, Setswana, French and Spanish.

    Interests

    Having been raised in southern Africa, James has a keen interest in all sports and represented Botswana at junior international cricket tournaments. James is an ardent long distance runner, having completed the Cologne and London Marathons. He is also a diehard Newcastle United fan.

Recommendations

‘Very thorough and well-prepared.'
Legal 500 2020/Family and children - South Eastern - Tier 4

“I have had the pleasure of working with James on a number of cases. James is in high demand as he is a meticulous, hardworking and tenacious advocate. James is empathic and understanding towards clients. When a client instructs James, they request he runs their case throughout their proceedings as he gains them excellent results.” - Instructing Solicitor 2019

Academic qualifications

  • BPTC (College of Law)
  • LLM International Law – University College London
  • LLB Law (London Metropolitan University)

Direct Access

James Legg is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public and professional clients under the Direct Public Access scheme.

More Information

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