James Strachan KC

UK Bar

James Strachan KC acts for airports, oil terminals and waste operations. He has also been called upon to act for The Atomic Weapons Establishment in its opposition to a major judicial review challenge. He is also consulted for advice on environmental concerns surroundinglarge development projects.

"James is our go-to for complex matters and an excellent advocate."

"The breadth of his experience is staggering."

James Strachan KC is a tactically and technically minded KC who has won a strong reputation both at the Bar and among his clients for his work on major developments. His infrastructure résumé includes a substantial appointment promoting the HS2 rail project for the government. He is also well versed in the housing, retail, highways and urban design fields. Other notable work relates to the development of prominent heritage sites.

"James is formidable. He's extremely hard-working, reliable and one of the best."

"James is the outstanding planning barrister of his generation."

"James is a brilliant advocate. He is a very smooth and persuasive advocate."

James Stachan KC has extensive experience of representing clients on issues relating to consumer finance, and further expertise in acting for the Financial Ombudsmen Service.

"James has a very meticulous style of advocacy which inspires considerable trust in the court."

"He lives and breathes consumer finance work."

James Strachan KC of 39 Essex Chambers is the silk of choice for the Financial Ombudsman Service, on whose behalf he regularly appears in significant cases. He offers additional experience acting for financial services firms and individuals in major litigation, where he is particularly adept in matters with a financial services and public law crossover.

"James has great depth of understanding in financial services. He provides clear, persuasive and comprehensive advice. He is good at getting to the heart of issues and is a strong advocate in court."

"James is a go-to KC for complex and high-profile judicial reviews. His experience knows no boundaries. He is technically excellent in his advice and is able to see the wider picture."

"James's advocacy style is clear, succinct, targeted and persuasive."

James Strachan KC is a dynamic local government silk with an excellent track record in local authority disputes and vast experience in judicial review proceedings. He routinely advises on high-profile infrastructure projects. He is regularly instructed to act both for and against local authorities. He also has experience acting in major compulsory purchase orders.

"James is so calm and professional and you just feel you're in safe hands with him."

James Strachan KC handles administrative and public law cases on behalf of claimants and defendants. He is experienced in claims arising in the criminal justice and financial services spheres, and his expertise in human rights and planning law strongly complements his public law practice.

"He's always extremely well prepared and very good with clients."

"James has a very gentle style of advocacy that cuts straight to the issues."

"James is a master of detail and tactics and is easy to work with."

James Strachan KC is well versed in the arena of civil liberties and human rights, and makes frequent appearances in the European Court of Human Rights. He regularly contributes to high-profile cases centring on complex issues, such as the Secretary of State’s approach to detaining asylum seekers who claim to be minors but appear to be adults. He has significant experience in a variety of different areas, including mental health, immigration and national security matters.

"James is very capable and bright. He's a pleasure to be against."

"His advocacy and intellect are constantly praised."