The International Family Law Group LLP

Children

Partner

James qualified in 2014 and joined iFLG as a Partner in their Children Team in 2020.

James has acted in over 50 reported cases ranging from the High Court to the Supreme Court, including the first 1980 Hague Convention child abduction between Japan and the UK, the first case concerning the 1996 Hague Convention to reach the UK Supreme Court, the first appeal case to concern the interpretation of Brussels II Revised enforcement provisions, and the first reported cases of children being returned to Algeria and Sudan respectively.

James has also been involved in a number of high-profile and widely-reported appeals, interventions and committals.

The only specialist international children solicitor called to the Bar of the British Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, having appeared in what is thought to be the first international children case in that jurisdiction.

'Highly commended' as 'Junior Solicitor of the Year' at the Law Society Excellence Awards 2018, and Family Law Awards 'Young Solicitor of the Year' 2017, with work and cases also shortlisted for Legal Innovation Awards 2020 and the Family Law Awards 2020.

He received the bronze award - ‘Family Lawyer of the Year – Partner’ in the CityWealth Future Leaders awards 2021 and has since been selected as a judge for the 2022 CityWealth awards.

James was named as one of the 'NextGen ePrivateClient Leaders' List 2023.

He was also named as one of the 'Top 15 NextGen Family Lawyers'  CityWealth Leaders List 2023.

James is a regular speaker at conferences and professional legal events in the UK and overseas.

James is fluent in Spanish and French, with a high level of German.

The Legal 500 UK 2023

'James Netto is a star solicitor'.

'He has excellent judgement and unparalleled flair in representing young children in complex disputes. James is a fighter and will not shy away from tacking the most difficult cases'.

Fluent in Spanish and French, with a high level of German.

Resolution accredited specialist in the areas of child abduction and EU/International law. Chair of the Child Abduction Lawyers Association. Trustee of Hear Their Cries, the only charity set up to combat sexual exploitation in the aid industry and assisting victims of child sexual exploitation.