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 undertakes work in a wide range of areas which now predominantly focuses on clinical negligence and healthcare, police issues, and professional disciplinary and regulatory work.  

 His experience in both previous and existing areas of specialisation has also included commercial and construction litigation, employment and judicial review.  

 James is a qualified and very experienced mediator.

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 acts on difficult and high-value cases to great acclaim. Clients are delighted with his thoroughness and impeccable preparation, and note with admiration the way he "grapples with complex cases quickly and impressively."...Chambers and Partners 2011

'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

Medical discipline and in clinical  and related professional fields

James has been at the forefront of professional disciplinary and regulatory work over the past 30 years representing doctors, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, opticians, social workers and police officers.  

His experience has ranged from representation in numerous statutory disciplinary proceedings and internal employment inquiries to “behind the scenes” advice and guidance to regulatory bodies.  He has acted in a number of exceptionally complex GMC and police disciplinary cases.  He has also acted as legal assessor for regulatory bodies and currently acts regularly in that capacity at the General Optical Council.

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.

GMC v Dr Heath   [June 2009]   FTP hearing relating to forensic pathologist

GMC v Patterson - GMC FTP hearing relating to alleged racial discrimination

GMC v Dr McWilliam [February 2007] Conduct case

GMC v Srivastava [2006] (voluntary erasure from the medical register)

GMC v Blanchard [2006] (removal of transplanted kidney instead of diseased kidney)

Member of the Professional Negligence Bar Association

Member of the London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association

Long-standing member of CEDR
Contributing editor to the Lloyds Medical Law Reports.