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.

'James Watson QC is praised for his work in police disciplinary matters and judicial review. This "busy, results-oriented" practitioner is also recognised for his experience of inquests and issues concerning incidents during police custody.'....Chambers and Partners 2011

"...'exceptionally clever and able to make sense of very complex issues'..." Legal 500 2010

James Watson 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

"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

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

James is one of only a few police law silks, and is recommended by both leading legal directories. His practice covers the whole range of police law work.

Civil actions involving the police
James has extensive jury advocacy experience gained in criminal trial work in his early career and has also conducted a number of civil jury trials and advised on appeal on behalf of the police in cases typically involving common assault, wrongful arrest, and malicious prosecution.

Commercial pensions and other civil work
James has undertaken a wide range of advisory work for the police in civil and commercial matters ranging from commercial disputes with other public authorities, claims involving conversion, bailment, and personal injury. He has regularly advised and acted on behalf of police authorities in relation to disputes under the Police Pension Regulations. James has been instructed in several very substantial commercial claims under the Riot Acts brought against police authorities.

Employment
James has conducted employment tribunal cases, including dismissal and sex and race discrimination claims on behalf of various police forces.

Inquests
James represents the police in inquests and also in public inquiries.

Police disciplinary work
James has long experience of disciplinary work. In the police field he has experience of acting for the presenting officer in large and complex cases.

Police mediation
James has acted as a mediator in claims involving the police.

Yarl's Wood Immigration Ltd and others v Bedfordshire Police Authority [2008] EWHC 2207 (Comm) and [2009] EWCA Civ 1110.   Entitlement of private operators of an immigration detention centre to bring a claim against the local police authority for compensation under the Riot (Damages) Act 1886

G v W Yorks Dec 2006 [judicial review of police powers under PACE]

R (Cleary) v Highbury Magistrates' Court, the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, and anor [2006] – James acted for the Commissioner in this case which gave guidance about disclosure in applications for closure orders.

West Yorkshire Police Authority v Reading Festival Ltd [2006] EWCA Civ 524 – James acted for the police authority in this case concerning charges for “special police services”

Verrechia v Met Police Commissioner  [2002] EWCA Civ 605 (duty of judge to give reasons)

Elvin v Kent Police Authority Central London CC 21st December 2002 (successful striking out of claim for failure to rescue dying hostage following siege)

Jennings v Humberside Police Authority QBD December 2002 (interpretation of police pension regulations in the context of an injury causing an acceleration of an underlying disease)

James has presented seminars to senior operational officers and representatives of police authorities around the country on police liability in negligence, discrimination, and discipline cases.

Member of the Professional Negligence Bar Association

Member of the London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association

Long-standing member of CEDR.