James Byrne

Crime, Financial Crime

James has a growing reputation specialising in the field of complex fraud, restraint and criminal and civil asset recovery, appearing regularly in the Crown, Appeal and High Court. Over the past year James has worked closely with the Serious Fraud Office on a number of their most high profile and high value cases. Of particular note, James is currently instructed as junior counsel prosecuting the confiscation element of the Libor rate-fixing scandal involving some of the world's largest international banks. Alongside his work in fraud, James also accepts instructions in general crime, serious crime and regulatory crime. He particularly enjoys cases of a complex and tactical nature and presents as an astute advocate to the jury. James has recently concluded defending against the largest prosecution ever brought under the Gangmasters Regulations. As part of the defence James sought to challenge the abuse of process ruling of R v A (in the first case ever sat at Bristol Divisional Court). In concluding the case District Judge Cooper of Swindon took time to praise James for the outstanding contribution and hard work he had put in the case. From a seemingly hopeless situation, James ultimately earned his client an absolute discharge and minimal costs.