Louise James

I am a Consultant Solicitor in the Crime Department at Duncan Lewis.

I have an all round knowledge of Criminal Defence work and I have particular experience of police station advice and assistance, advocacy at Magistrates Court level, as well as Crown and Magistrates Court preparation.

As a senior criminal solicitor I have a wide range of experience of handling serious cases ranging from serious sexual assault, murder to fraud on both a legal aid a privately funded basis. Because of my experience I have to hand a wide range of experts that I rely upon who are respected within the court system for their quality of work. Even if the evidence against you appears overwhelming then there is always something that can be done to mitigate your situation whether it be drafting a basis of plea and negotiating with the crown to accept a lesser offence. These actions can sometimes make a difference as to whether a Defendant receives a prison sentence or not.

I also conduct appeals against conviction or sentence matters on a privately funded basis. Recently a client of mine won an appeal against conviction imposed at the Magistrates Court which if she had lost would have resulted in her work permit being withdrawn and her eventual removal from the UK.

• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (LPC)
• LLB Honours – University of Westminster
• Diploma in French legal studies

• Duncan Lewis Solicitors 2008-present
• Admitted as a solicitor April 2001

Criminal Court

• High profile case involving terrorist allegations which involved the instruction of experts and complex evidence that required meticulous analysis.


• Representing anti-war protesters at RAF Fairford who broke into the base to prevent planes taking off to bomb Iraq relying upon defence of having lawful excuse pursuant to s5 Criminal Act 1971 in a landmark case which went all the way to the House of Lords, raising issues surrounding the legality of the war in Iraq. After being found not guilty in two trials after a third re-trial guilty verdicts were entered - however none of the Defendants received a custodial sentences despite the seriousness of the allegation.


• Representing anti-fascists protesters in a multi-handed case facing allegations of violent disorder - found not guilty.


• Representing restaurant owners from China town against Westminster Council alleging widespread breaches of food safety legislation, negotiations with prosecutors led to a reduction in the number of breaches and financial penalties.


• Serious sexual assault of a child which involved instruction of experts and the taking of instructions from witnesses abroad. Client found not guilty when crown expert evidence supporting allegations was successfully challenged.


• Murder allegation which resulted in the crown accepting a guilty plea to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility after the instruction of senior experts.


• Large scale conspiracy to supply drugs reduced to a simple fraud to which a suspended sentence was imposed.

• Member of the Law Society
• Criminal Litigation Accredited