James Osborne
Membership Status: Barrister - Full Member
General Information
James is an experienced family and general commercial barrister. His practice areas include commercial, property, and costs, but he offers solid experience across a broad range of related civil areas, including trusts, wills and probate and the Court of Protection.
A skilled courtroom advocate, James has a reputation for getting to the core issues in a case quickly and tackling them effectively. He offers reliably sound judgement, pragmatic legal advice and an analytical approach to his instructions. James provides a very approachable service and is always happy to discuss initial issues that his clients may face in dealing with claims.
Before becoming a barrister, James worked as in-house counsel for a global FTSE 100 company for eight years dealing with high value commercial contract negotiations. He brings a wealth of business experience to his practice, which is primarily focused on general commercial and property work.
Areas of law
- Property Law
- Commercial Law
- Family Law
- Costs
- Court of Protection
- Personal Injury
- Chancery
Property Law
James has a long-standing property and land law practice and frequently advises and represents claimants and defendants in the county courts and the land tribunal in a wide range of property law disputes, including:
- Landlord and tenant (commercial and residential)
- Dilapidations and disrepair
- Building disputes
- Service charge disputes
- Restrictive covenants
- Boundary and neighbour disputes
- Rights of way and easements
- Forfeiture proceedings
- Possession and eviction
- Charging order applications
- Mortgage repossession actions (for both lenders and borrowers)
- TOLATA / Trust of land disputes
Commercial Law
James is instructed by commercial clients from a range of different sectors in relation to all manner of business disputes. With his background of working in-house within a commercial enterprise, James has the direct operational experience required to understand complex business issues. He offers specific technical knowledge of broadcast and satellite communications, telecommunications and high value commercial contracts and is frequently instructed on:
- Breach of contract
- Company law (partnership and shareholder disputes)
- Insolvency and bankruptcy (commercial and individual)
- Financial services claims
- Debt recovery
- Consumer Credit Act
Family Law
James is instructed in all stages of family cases, from initial pre-action advice in consultation through to representation at contested hearings (including fact-finding hearings and final hearings). He offers a great deal of experience in:
- Matrimonial finance, including Inheritance Act provision and financial settlement proceedings
- Contested child arrangements, including applications for contact and residence
- Injunctive proceedings, including non-molestation, prohibited steps and occupation orders
Costs
With a great deal of experience representing claimants and defendants in costs disputes, James is frequently instructed to attend costs budgeting and detailed costs assessments hearings. He often attends detailed assessments nationally and regularly appears at the Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO).
Court of Protection
James accepts instructions in Court of Protection matters, including:
- Deputyship
- Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS)
- Lasting powers of attorney and enduring powers of attorney
- Mental capacity
- Medical treatment
- Best interests decisions
- Welfare, including contact, residence and care decisions
Personal Injury
James advises and represents claimants and defendants in all areas, including:
- Allegations of fraud of personal injury-related claims, mainly arising from road traffic accidents, employers' liability and public liability
- Member of the Motorcycle Group tackling serious injuries (he also has a motorcycle licence)
- Injuries arising from accidents involving HGVs and buses
- Credit hire (claimant and defendant)
James's involvement is frequently from the outset, from assessing and advising on prospects to advising on quantum, drafting pleadings, drafting questions, conferences with witnesses, round table meetings and onto trial.
James was instructed in the first instance and on appeal (both successful) regarding a slip and trip/Highways claim against a London borough: Simson v London Borough of Islington, [2013] EWHC 2527 (QB), setting a new precedent requiring inspections to include area under objects on the highway such as parked cars and refuse bins.
Chancery
- Disputes relating to trusts
- Contested wills
- Probate and Inheritance Act claims
Education
- Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) training
- Bar Vocational Course, BPP Law School
- Graduate Diploma in Law, BPP Law School
- BSc (Hons) Geography, Manchester University/Granada University, Spain
Awards
- Socrates Erasmus Scholar, Manchester University
Feedback
“Just a quick note to thank James for his assistance - client is over the moon, and from what I hear, James did a first-class job on all fronts”
Anonymous
Direct Access Client
“A million thank yous. You were brilliant on Friday and I don't want to lose you. I am so very grateful to you. I am sorry to be a blubbering wreck but I will never forget the way you were with me and your very clever mind. Thank you does not quite cut it.”
B Sandhu
Public Access Client
“Just spoke to the client and she speaks very highly of you from today so thank you. Just wanted to pass on her kind comments. ”
Emma McCosh
Slater and Gordon
“Hi James,
Great result especially with the late presentation aspect!
Thanks for your help as always.
Kind Regards,
”
Jennifer Hicks
Amanda Cunliffe Solicitors Ltd
“Hi James,
Great result. Many thanks for your assistance today.
Kind regards
Joe
”
Joseph Rahim
Aegis Legal
“Dear James,
Great result, I am very pleased. Both my Client’s couldn’t stop praising you, they said you was great and felt ever so comfortable with you and couldn’t be happier with you and the outcome. Thank you for your assistance.
”
Kauser Khan
Quantum Legal
“Can I please take this time to personally thank yourself and James for your help during this difficult time for myself.
I would like to particularly thanks James for his calmness and reassurance during the proceedings.
I wish you all the very best and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend and use your services again.”
Public Access Client
Public Access
“That's a great outcome for us and thank you very much for your assistance on this matter.
”
Shona
Minster law
“Thank you for your assistance on this matter. A great outcome for the client.”
Shona Kennedy
Minster Law
“In preparation for my hearing, time was of a sensitive nature and extremely limited, the issues I face are of a complicated nature through no fault of my own. As Litigant in Person with a Litigant Friend and support of my family we composed, completed and submitted our evidence with Mr James Osborne's guidance. Nonetheless, although the issues of my claim have not been concluded, the Hearing in which Mr James Osborne as my assigned Counsel was a success and managed to achieve what was needed from the Hearing. I am extremely relieved with regards to the outcome that was needed and hope that I can soon conclude all issues relating to my claim.”
Ms S
Public Access
“James was excellent today and I will undoubtedly be looking for his services for the rescheduled hearing and further anything else I may have occur. ”
Sean
Public Access Client
“Hi James, Thank you very much for today. Wish you a good weekend. All the best.”
Murat
Public Access Client
“In preparation for my hearing, time was of a sensitive nature and extremely limited, the issues I face are of a complicated nature through no fault of my own. As Litigant in Person with a Litigant Friend and support of my family we composed, completed and submitted our evidence with Mr James Osborne's guidance. Nonetheless, although the issues of my claim have not been concluded, the Hearing in which Mr James Osborne as my assigned Counsel was a success and managed to achieve what was needed from the Hearing. I am extremely relieved with regards to the outcome that was needed and hope that I can soon conclude all issues relating to my claim.”
Samia
Public Access Client
“It was great pleasure to meet you too this morning.
Many thanks for working for me and getting the positive outcome.
I very much appreciate your help. It was worth it.
”
Mr Usman
Public Access
“That is an absolutely fantastic result.
Many thanks for your help on this one.
”
Marcus Doxey
Optimal Solicitors
“I just wanted to say thank you for all your assistance today.
Amy and I enjoyed meeting you and are pleased with the result.
”
Johnny
Public Access
“Fabulous – thank you.”
Emma Adams
Jefferies Solicitors
“I found James Osborne professional and very well prepared. He secured an excellent result on a liability disputed case, ensuring success for the Claimant. ”
Sandi Gittins F.Inst.Pa
Concept Law Solicitors
“I have to say that James Osborne did excellent job today to represent me. I was very impressed with the way he structured the questions and statements which lead as you can see in the victory. I believe it is because James managed to understand the given evidence well and use it on the inefficiencies of the opposition to convince the judge. I was very happy to see the way he dealt with it. Again thank you for allocating James to my case and if you have any questions please ask.
”
Client
Concept Law Solicitors
“This is a fantastic outcome. Thank you James. ”
Melissa Cargill
Nayyar Solicitors
“Many thanks James. Great result!”
Daniel Ellaway
Hurleys Solicitors
“Thank you James,
Appreciate your work on this matter and the note below.
I will make sure that I request you for my next hearing.
”
Adam Merdassi
Crawford Legal Services
“Thank you so much! I would have been in pieces without you there. ”
Hannah
Public Access
“Many thanks, excellent outcome”
Nichola Johnson
Amanda Cunliffe Solicitors
“Great outcome! Thanks James”
Anthea Caers
Russel Worth
“By all accounts James did a very good job in Court on what was a difficult day.”
Jason Libby
Fry Law
“Brilliant result
Thanks very much. ”
Jessica Berry
Zest Legal
“Many thanks for your detailed note and attendance. ”
Devon Cartwright
Bott and Co
“Fantastic James.
Many thanks for attending.
”
Qaisar Mahmood
Sovereign Solicitors
“James Osborne was the perfect man for the job. He was at the meeting before me, and id got there early. James is very informative and keen to help. I will recommend James to anyone needing a barrister. You have an extremely happy customer. ”
Carlos
Public Access
“James was brilliant and managed to strip away all the emotion to drill down to the key issues quickly and obtain the right result for me. ”
Joanne
Public Access
“Fantastic result, James - many thanks.”
Adam Thornley
Accident Injury Solicitors
“Hi (James Osborne), I spoke with the Claimants yesterday and they said that you were exceptional in Court and they were very impressed. I have passed these comments onto the Senior Partner here, Sarah Waddington.”
Sarah Waddington
Sarah Waddington Solicitors
“Hi (James Osborne), thanks for the draft submission. I have read this in detail and want to thank you for the sterling effort you have made with the written submission. It clearly summarises the case and highlights the critical points.
”
Sid Kauldhar
Public Access
“Dear (James Osborne), Brilliant, thank you.
Kind regards
”
Lindsey Howells, Personal Injury Advisor
russellworth
“Afternoon (James Osborne),
That’s a fantastic outcome.
Kind regards
”
Krystle Barmby
Minster Law
“Hi (James Osborne),
What a result - thank you very much indeed.
Kind regards
Fiona
”
Fiona Harper, Personal Injury Executive
Hansells
“Hi (James Osborne),
Great result. Many thanks for your assistance today.
Kind regards
Joe
”
Joseph Rahim, Solicitor
Aegis Legal
“Good Morning (James Osborne),
That's brilliant news.
Thank you so much for your assistance in this matter.
Kind regards”
Briony Stone, Claims Handler
Russellworth
“Hi (James Osborne)
Great result especially with the late presentation aspect!
Thanks for your help as always.
Kind Regards,
Jennifer ”
Jennifer Hicks, Litigation Executive
Amanda Cunliffe Solicitors
“Thank you (James Osborne) for your attendance note following good result on Friday, [the client] has given you a glowing recommendation.
”
Adam Watkiss
KLS Law
“Dear (James Osborne),
Great result there. That is 2 out of 2.
Thanks for all your help.
”
Ercan Sami, Assistant Solicitor
Slater Gordon Solutions
“Thank you so much (James Osborne) for your assistance in this matter and for getting the right result.
My clients were delighted with your efforts and very impressed with your whole conduct of the case. Given that their depot is quite local we shall not hesitate to instruct you again.”
Christine Harris, Partner
Birchall Blackburn
“The client has just called me. She was delighted with the outcome and sung the praises of James Osborne.
”
Paul Allinson
Pudsey Legal
“Thank you so much James [Osborne]. Everyone including the Senior Partner and the client is delighted with the result.”
Deborah Ward
Dennison Greer
“Thanks James [Osborne]!! The unbeaten run continues!! Another fantastic result. I spoke to the client yesterday evening and he said to pass on his sincere thanks and that you were ‘very impressive’.”
John Cuss
Minster Law
“"I would 110% recommend him to represent anyone. I am so pleased we won the case but more pleased for James (Osborne). He was brilliant."”
Lay Client
via Minster Law
“I have had the pleasure in working with James [Osborne] on numerous occasions on various instructions and briefs from fast track county court claims to written advices. James is extremely thorough, has a keen eye for detail and consistently delivers excellent results. James also takes the time to have a detailed conference with you in advance of a hearing which is something many barristers do not do.
”
John Cuss
Minster Law
“I can't say how impressed I am at the speed with which you (James Osborne) turned these advices round thank you.
”
Sarah Barker, Partner
Dennison Greer
“Our client Mr Fisher was also delighted with the outcome and your work [and says] 'I also convey my thanks to Mr James Osborne, for representing me today at court. Needless to say I am delighted with the positive outcome of the case, and appreciate all the work you have put into this'.
”
Philip Watson
Minster Law Ltd
“Just to let you know that DJ Davies sitting at Chesterfield CC commented on the fact that he was "assisted greatly by the advice of Counsel [James Osborne] in this matter, the advice was such that it supported the facts and he had nothing further to consider". ”
Ann Lee
Minster Law
“Excellent result James [Osborne]-much appreciated.”
Robert Barrett
Partner, Horwich Farrelly
Publications
Reported Cases:
Simson v Islington Borough Council [2013] All ER (D) 230 (Jul)
This is a personal injury / Highways Act case which was initially won in the county court before Recorder Bowdery QC and subsequently (successfully) defended on appeal. In the appeal court, Lord Justice Lewis set a new precedent that a parked vehicle in a residents bay ought to have been moved as there was a nearby defect that should have alerted the council's inspector to further investigate the area under the vehicle, whereupon the index defect would have been discovered.