James Brown

Practice Profile

James Brown is a senior junior who combines meticulous preparation with a good  manner and sound judgement.  He is an extremely effective advocate, on both sides of the courtroom.

James is instructed in long multi-handed trials and other serious cases.  The vast majority of his practice is leading junior work.  He both prosecutes and defends.

On the prosecution side, James has a strong practice in financial crime.  In the recent past he has prosecuted complex immigration frauds, plant machinery frauds, as well as allegations of money laundering and “car ringing.” James has for many years also been instructed to prosecute murders, police corruption (both being led by Queen’s Counsel), attempted murders and other cases of serious violence.  These have included the successful prosecution of two attempted murders involving complex psychiatric evidence.  James has also prosecuted three manslaughter trials, appearing alone. In other prosecution work, James also frequently leads in “county lines” drugs conspiracies, large scale importations and kidnaps for ransom.

On the defence side, James has a growing practice, particularly in financial crime.  He has been instructed by a range of professional clients in the recent past to represent individuals charged with complex money laundering, attempted murder, child abduction, sexual assault, drugs supply and firearms offences and cigarettes importation.

James's Privacy Policy can be downloaded here.

CPS Panels:

• General Crime- Grade 4
• Serious Crime- Grade 4
• RASSO- Grade 4
• Fraud- Grade 4

2019 Cases Include:

• R v PT.  Attempted murder trial.  Leading junior. (2019)
• R v PG and 4 others.  Conversion of Criminal Property.  Leading junior. (2019)
• R v LG and 5 others. “County lines” drugs conspiracy.  Leading junior. (2019)
• R v BA.  Class A drugs conspiracy.  Leading junior. (2019)
• R v KM.  Sexual assault by custody staff. (2019)

News

• R v AT & Ors [Central Criminal Court] 2022

  Unlawful killing following mass brawl in south – East London

  Charlotte Newell QC led James Brown in this trial at the Central Criminal Court.

  Mum's life 'shattered into pieces' after Chilsehurst plumber Frankie Bulbrook chased and killed in mass brawl (msn.com)

   

• Operation Hillside [CCC] 2020

  Attempted Murder of Police Officers

  James Brown led Ben Holt for the Crown in this high profile trial involving the attempted murder of Police Officers during a gun fight following an armed ‘car jacking’. The defendant was convicted by a jury and received a life sentence.

  News report here. 

  Link to Met Police report.

• R v. OH [Isleworth] 2018

  Manslaughter of homeless man at Westminster Shelter

  James Brown acted for the Crown in this trial involving the the killing of a homeless man at Westminster Shelter following a drunken argument.

  News report here. 

• R v. O & ors [Wood Green] 2018

  "County Lines" Drugs Conspiracy

  James Brown was lead Counsel for the Crown in this “County lines” drugs conspiracy, 5 week trial in August 2018. 

  News report here.

• R v. F & ors [Southwark] 2018

  Importation of 100 kilos of cocaine by helicopter

  James Brown was leading Counsel for the Crown in this case involving the Importation of 100 kilos of cocaine by helicopter, landing at luxury hotels in Kent.  

  News report here.

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