Ranked in The Legal 500 (2023) and Chambers and Partners (2024) for Family and Children Law.
“He inspires confidence due to his calm manner, as well as his attention to the minutiae of the case.” – Chambers and Partners (2024)
“James is a strategic thinker with first-rate forensic skills. He goes the extra mile for his clients.” – Chambers and Partners (2024)
‘James is completely unflappable, which puts the client and the court at ease. His preparation for and knowledge of a case is always meticulous.’ – The Legal 500 (2023)
“A well-respected and reliable senior junior. His judgement is very sound. An excellent advocate.” – The Legal 500 (2022)
“He’s very measured, calm and delivers killer blows in the nicest way. He’s extremely forensic.” “He’s well prepared, considered, and his court manner is extremely calm and smooth.” – Chambers and Partners (2021)
“An exceptional lawyer, James is wonderful and as good as any QC.” – The Legal 500 (2021)
“He is full of steel and the way he deals with medical and forensic evidence is phenomenal” – Chambers and Partners (2020)
“Both sensitive and straightforward in his advocacy ” – The Legal 500 (2020)
“Incisive and client focused.” – The Legal 500 (2019)
“Very experienced in cases of non-accidental injuries to children.” – The Legal 500 (2017)
“Recommended for public law children cases.” – The Legal 500 (2016)
“He is just so intelligent and analytical. He has a forensic skill for unpicking documents, seeing things that others overlook. He is supremely intelligent.” – Chambers and Partners (2016)
James Hargan is a skilled and formidable advocate with considerable and wide-ranging experience acquired over 20 years in practice. He has very substantial experience in all courts up to the level of the Court of Appeal, particularly in matters before the High Court, and regularly appears against leading counsel.
He practises exclusively in civil (family, non-family and Court of Protection) work, where he has an enviable reputation for meticulous preparation and in-depth case knowledge, skilled drafting, and a polished performance in court. He is a strategic thinker with a fine eye for detail, and a trusted performer known for his sound advice and approachability.
“Highly experienced counsel with excellent technical skills and the ability to reassure clients in difficult and challenging circumstances.”- Chambers and Partners (2017)
“A strategic thinker and trusted performer, known for his approachability, sound advice and polished performance in court”.
Child injury & death
James has a particular specialism and expertise in cases concerning serious non-accidental injuries to children, and child deaths, and is very experienced in dealing with cases featuring complex medical evidence from a range of medical and scientific disciplines, including in relation to mental health issues. He regularly acts for children, local authorities, and parents. He has a particular interest in cases turning on paediatric neuro-radiology.
Lecturing
He regularly delivers lectures to other practitioners on current legal developments in family law. James also delivers seminars for local-authority social-services professionals and solicitors on topics including complex-case preparation and court skills.
Approach
James is highly IT literate and very adaptable in his work practices. He is happy to assist by telephone and email, and offers flexible conferencing and site-visit arrangements to suit lay clients and instructing solicitors.
Notable cases
- Re B (A Minor)(Secure Accommodation) [1994] 2 FLR 707 – Divisional Court
- A-G’s Ref No 4043 of 1997 [1997] EWCA Crim 3207 – Court of Appeal Criminal Division
- Arshid Hussain, R -v-, [1999] EWCA Crim 827 – Court of Appeal Criminal Division
- Re F (Adoption: Freeing Order) [2000] 2 FLR 505 – Court of Appeal, Civil Division
- Gough & Smith -v- Chief Constable Derbys & Ors [2001] EWHC Admin 554 – Adminstrative Court
- Re F (a child) [2006] EWCA Civ 1426 – Court of Appeal, Civil Division
- Re M (Care; Disclosure to Police) [2008] 2FLR 390 – High Court, Family Division.
Contact James’ clerks
James has over 25 years experience in work involving the factual and forensic investigation of serious injuries to children, and infant death. That experience and specialism has been extensively deployed in the Family Court, routinely at High Court level and against Leading Counsel.
More recently in the Coroner’s court, where James sits as an Assistant Coroner. Whilst remaining approachable and accessible to clients, James’ court work, both written and oral, is focused and analytical, and he is a confident and formidable cross-examiner of experts.
Contact James’ clerk
James Hargan ‘He shows great attention to detail and a high level of client care’ – Legal 500 (2014)
James Hargan is a formidable and highly skilled advocate. His 20 years in practice provide him with a wealth of experience across a wide range of legal areas, as well as substantial experience in all courts up to the level of the Court of Appeal. He is especially experienced in matters coming before the High Court, and regularly appears against leading counsel.
He practises exclusively in family, civil and Court of Protection work, and has earned an enviable reputation for meticulous preparation and in-depth case knowledge, skilled drafting, and a polished performance in court. He is widely recognised as a trusted performer, known for his sound advice and approachability. He puts clients at ease.
Mental health/capacity
James is highly experienced in dealing with cases featuring mental health/capacity issues. He has particular expertise in cases concerning serious non-accidental injuries to children, and child deaths, and handles cases involving complex medical evidence from a wide range of medical and scientific disciplines.
Lecturing
He regularly lectures to other legal practitioners on developments in family law and non-family civil litigation. He also offers training to social-services professionals and solicitors in local authorities, covering topics such as the preparation of complex cases and courtroom skills.
Approach
James is happy to assist by email and telephone, and is flexible about arranging site visits and conferences to suit lay clients and instructing solicitors. He is IT literate and very adaptable in his working practices.
A strategic thinker and trusted performer, known for his approachability, sound advice and polished performance in court
