2007 Appointed joint Head of Chambers

2006 Appointed Recorder (Western Circuit, crime)
2000 Appointed Queens Counsel
1994/5 CEDR accreditation
1979 Called to the Bar
1975-78 Cambridge University

Email: jwatson@3serjeantsinn.com

James Watson is recommended in leading legal directories Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 in clinical negligence, in Chambers & Partners for police law and in the Legal 500 for professional discipline.

JamesWatson QC  is “a creative and pragmatic legal thinker” who gets results. Chambers and Partners 2010

James Watson QC's attention to detail was much commented upon. Praised for "picking up on issues that the experts miss," he has a particular aptitude for "handling complex cases where it is appropriate and necessary to take novel and imaginative approaches to achieve the correct result.” Chambers and Partners 2010

James Watson QC "has the ability to handle complex cases and take imaginative approaches." Legal 500 2009

"...instils 'absolute confidence' due to his intellectual ability..." Legal 500 2008

"Solicitors rave about James Watson QC, with one stating that “he is probably the most intelligent person I’ve ever met.” Chambers & Partners 2009

"A 'measured, lateral thinker,' he is 'a highly capable performer who gets right into the detail'.” Chambers & Partners 2009

Experience in the Mediation field

James Watson is listed in Bar Council List of Barrister Mediators who have completed more than 30 mediations

James has longstanding experience of alternative dispute resolution. His initial experience in alternative dispute resolution techniques was acquired in the late 1980`s when the `mini trial` form of ADR process was deployed successfully to resolve several major construction disputes in which he was instructed.
 
He qualified as a CEDR accredited mediator in 1994 /1995 and now has nearly 10 years experience both as a mediator and as an advocate in the ADR field. During that time James has mediated an increasing variety of disputes ranging from employment, commercial contract, insurance, and partnership disputes to personal injury, and clinical negligence.

His width of experience as a junior barrister has equipped him to offer technical familiarity with a wide range of disputes.In the clinical negligence field in particular his even spread of practice as between Claimants and Defendants gives him a helpful perspective enabling him to assist parties in their efforts to resolve claims.James has developed his mediation skills not only through the mediations which he has conducted but also by taking advantage of CEDR`s extensive programme of seminars and courses, by lecturing on mediation to managers within the NHS. He has also acted as a mediation trainer to other barristers at seminars organized by the Bar Council.

Professional experience and practice  James Watson QC developed an extensive practice in construction and commercial litigation and aribtration work during his career at the Junior Bar. He has acted in many very large claims in this field.In recent years he has specialised mainly in medical work, undertaking clinical negligence, disciplinary and professional employment matters. He has particular expertise in maximum severity injury claims involving obstetric and paediatric negligence and has acted in some of the very largest and most complex claims in this field.