James Gray

Barrister

James Gray is a dedicated criminal advocate known for his commitment to every client’s case. He is consistently recommended by the leading directories as a ‘go-to’ choice for cases involving homicide and serious sexual offences. He is a trial lawyer of considerable experience and highly regarded by those with whom he works.

Outside his criminal practice, he maintains an interest in the protection of journalists and the freedom of speech. In pursuit of this interest, he has worked with the Media Legal Defence Initiative on applications to the African Commission (criminal defamation in Rwanda); ECOWAS (seditious publication in Gambia); the Singapore Court of Appeal (confidentiality of journalist's sources) and the ECHR.

Directory Testimonials

‘A go-to junior for serious sexual assault cases. His broad expertise also encompasses homicides and modern slavery matters.’ Chambers & Partners 2021
‘Highly experienced in cases involving serious sexual offences’ Legal 500 2019.
‘Leading individual, combines a direct approach with the ability to put clients at ease.’ Legal 500 2018

Education and Awards

LL.B (Hons) law 2:1
BVC (Outstanding)
Chancery House Chambers Prize for first-place student
Lincoln's Inn Cassel Scholarship
Plowden Chambers Advocacy prize
Lincoln's Inn Buchanan Prize

Publications

Bad Character and the Bolstering of a Weak Case, The Solicitor's Journal.
Lethal injections; will they ever be too barbaric? The Times (London).
The EU- US Extradition Agreement: Reciprocity and a Fair Balance, The Journal of Human Rights and UK Practice.
Cruel and Unusual Punishment in the Caribbean Commonwealth, Oxford University
Commonwealth Law Journal.
Human Rights and Constitutional Reform, The Journal of Human Rights and UK Practice.
Exerting Outdated Colonial Power or Keeping Step with the Evolving Standards of Decency? The Journal of Human Rights and UK Practice.
New Zealand Trusts its Own Judgement, The Times (London).
Political Interference - The Home Secretary and Life Sentences, The Solicitors Journal.
Is the Abolition of the Death Penalty on the Legal Horizon? The New Law Journal.
The War on Terror and the US Constitution, The Solicitors Journal.
The Chair, the Needle and the Eighth Amendment, The Journal of Civil Liberties.

Memberships

South Eastern Circuit

James’ cases invariably involve allegations of sexual or physical violence, drug or arms supply or fraud. He has appeared in innumerable cases involving these offences. The following are example of recent cases in which he has appeared as junior alone.

Homicide and Violent Offences

R v W - Attempted-murder in which the defendant attempted to sever the head of the complainant. Plea of insanity necessitating expert evidence from three of the country's leading forensic psychiatrists.
R v K - Manslaughter and armed robbery in which armed robbers were accused of precipitating a fatal heart attack during a violent disorder whilst fleeing the scene.
R v M - A large, long-running, multi-handed modern slavery trial in which the prosecution alleged a single complainant had been held in servitude for several years.
R v T - Husband accused of attempting to murder his wife by repeated stabbing.
R v K - Kidnap, blackmail and robbery in which a gang was accused of forcibly removing a man from a restaurant, falsely imprisoning him and subjecting him to a brutal beating for several hours in order to extort money.
R v K - Conspiracy to cause GBH involving shootings and stabbings by rival gangs.

Sexual Offences

R v P - Historic rape by husband of wife across a ten-year marriage and sexual offences against child.
R v F - Relationship rape involving serious violence.
R v L - Grooming and attempted rape of minors.
R v B - Relationship rape involving serious violence.
R v E - Abduction of three teenagers followed by multiple rapes.
R v C - Decade-long campaign of rape against minors.
R v J - Relationship rape of teenager.
R v M - Historic grooming and rape of minors.
R v H - Relationship rape.

Drugs

R v L - Nationwide conspiracy to supply cocaine.
R v J - Allegation of conspiracy to produce cannabis in sites across the country and modern slavery.
R v W - Conspiracy to supply cocaine across the North of England.