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James Watson QC

CALLED TO THE BAR 1979

Queen's Counsel 2000


Public & Administrative Profile

Background

 

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



General Information

 

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.



Directory Comments

 

James Watson is recommended in leading legal directories Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 in clinical negligence, in Chambers and 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

 

"...'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

 

"...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



Nature of Practice

 

Medical law - CLICK HERE TO SEE SPECIALIST PROFILE

 

Clinical negligence
Inquests/inquiries
Mediation
Professional discipline

 

Police law - CLICK HERE TO SEE SPECIALIST PROFILE


Civil actions involving the police
Commercial pensions and other civil work
Employment
Inquests
Professional discipline
Police mediation

 

Dispute resolution - CLICK HERE TO SEE SPECIALIST PROFILE


Other work
Commercial and general experience

 

Professional discipline - CLICK HERE TO SEE SPECIALIST PROFILE

 

Medical discipline (GMC/GDC)

Public inquiries

Police discipline



Specialist Information

 


Reported and other cases of Interest

 

R (G) v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire [2008] EWCA (Admin) Civ 28:  Judicial review of police charging powers under PACE

 

R (Cleary) v Highbury Magistrates Court, The Commissioner of Metropolitan Police and another [2006] EWHC 1869 (Admin):   Guideline case relating to disclosure in applications for closure orders.

 

Ashton and Fraser v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire [2005] EWHC 975 (Admin):  Judicial review of disciplinary charging process 

 

Jennings v Humberside Police Authority [2002] EWHC 3064 (Admin):  Interpretation of police pension

regulations in the context of an injury causing an acceleration of an underlying disease



Clients

 


Publications

 


Lectures and Seminars

 


Related Professional Activities

 

Member of the Professional Negligence Bar Association, the London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association, long-standing member of CEDR

 

Contributing editor to the Lloyds Medical Law Reports.



Other Information