James Constable

My Approach

To help clients to understand and navigate a hugely complex justice system to achieve them the best possible outcome.

Area of Expertise

• Solicitor advocate, meaning I can represent clients from the initial contact with police or investigating authority to the conclusion of the case in court.
• Specialise in criminal law, particularly motoring offences.
• Environmental agency matters – licences, disposing of goods, waste/chemicals and noise/smell issues.
• DVLA licence revocation.
• Firearms licence appeals.
• Professional discipline.
• Higher education disciplinary procedures.
• Coroners Inquests.
• Companies House prosecutions against Directors.
• Multiple Housing Occupancy matters.
• Breach of enforcement notices
• Sports law - Anti doping violations.
• Victim’s rights cases.
• Mental Health tribunals.
• Military breaches of discipline and criminal investigations.

Recent Work

• Successfully advanced an exceptional hardship argument. The client had 9 points on his licence and faced a further two speeding charges. It was clear that should he have been disqualified it would have had a huge impact on his children and employees.
• Secured an acquittal after a three day trial. The allegation was one of controlling and coercive behaviour, James uncovered text messages which undermined the prosecution case.
• Secures an acquittal for a client accused of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
• Represented a client before the General Osteopathic Council who were applying to suspend the client. James successfully opposed the application and the client continues to practice.
• James secured an acquittal for a client charged with an allegation of assault. After cross-examining the alleged aggrieved the Judge concluded the witness was neither consistent or credible.
• Successfully appealed clients sentence in the Court of Appeal reducing sentence from 12 years to 9.
• Represented Olympic athlete for a doping violation leading to her receiving a 12 month disqualification rather than 4 years.
• Represented a rugby league player for a doping violation, successfully argued a shorter disqualification of 2 years.
• Represented a large refrigeration company during interview by the Environment Agency for an allegation of illegally disposing of waste, produced supporting pack of evidence for the investigation which was dropped after the initial interview.

Professional Associations & Qualifications

• Ranked Band 1 in Chambers UK 2024 for crime. Described as “a calming influence, is clear about what needs to be done in stressful situations.”
• Recommended Lawyer by Legal 500 for crime, fraud and licensing. Described as “easy to work with, approachable, knowledgeable and his clients like him.”
• Awarded solicitor-advocate of the year 2022 by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire law society.
• Obtained Higher Rights of Audience (Criminal) in 2018.
• Completed LPC at the College of Law Guildford in 2009.
• BSc (Hons) degree from The University of Edinburgh.