James has a busy and successful traditional and commercial chancery, property and private client practice. Both in and out of Court, he is often commended for his attention to detail, focused legal analysis, and his persuasive written and oral advocacy. He takes a calm and considered view to all cases, combining his legal knowledge with practical, commercial advice.
Whilst James is regularly instructed in cases of all sizes and complexity, his expertise has led him to be instructed by a number of leading firms often in high value and/or complex reported cases including Re A Company [2022] EWHC 943 (Ch); Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (also known as Sightsavers International, registered charity number 207544) v John Wayland Beasant (in his personal capacity and as Personal Representative of the estate of Audrey Thelma Arkell deceased) & Ors [2021] EWHC 351 (Ch); and Harbour Fund III LP v Kazakhstan Kagazy PLC & Ors [2021] EWHC 1128.
James is also frequently instructed in cases brought by or against children and/or protected parties, and he is very familiar with acting on behalf of, or litigating against, ‘litigation friends’ for children and protected parties whether in civil and/or insolvency proceedings. James is adept at adapting his approach sensitively to ensure the best and most appropriate handling of such cases.
Court of Protection
James has a particular interest in advising and representing parties in applications before the Court of Protection. Having been instructed both by individual parties and by the Official Solicitor acting as litigation friend for P, James has been praised for his sensible and pragmatic handling of proceedings focused upon assisting the parties narrow and, where possible, compromise the contentious issues to be determined by the Court. His recent experience includes:
- Applications to revoke a Lasting Power of Attorney and consequent removal of Attorneys (including on grounds of alleged misconduct);
- Applications to remove Deputies (including on grounds of alleged misconduct);
- Applications to approve a statutory will on behalf of P;
- Applications to appoint an Interim Deputy;
- A complex Financial Dispute Resolution hearing involving a multi-million pound estate and a number of company and trust structures;
- Advising beneficiaries and personal representatives in relation to the Code of Practice for LPA Attorneys concerning inter vivos gifts and dispositions.
James has particular experience in applying for freezing injunctions and other interim relief, as well as the consequent substantive claims, against P’s Attorney/Attorneys where they have allegedly misapplied P’s monies entrusted to them under Lasting Powers of Attorney for Property & Financial Affairs and/or Deputyships, whether during P’s lifetime and/or in post-death disputes relating to P’s estate.
Qualifications
- MA, Downing College, University of Cambridge (2018)
- Bar Professional Training Course (Outstanding), BPP University (2015)
- BA Law (Double First Class), Downing College, University of Cambridge (2014)
Associations & Memberships
- Contentious Trusts Association (‘ConTrA’)
- Chancery Bar Association
Awards
James has been awarded several academic prizes for academic performance including:
- Hubert Greenland Pupillage Award, 2015 – Lincoln’s Inn
- Buchanan Prize, 2015 – Lincoln’s Inn
- Graduating Scholar, 2014 – Downing College, University of Cambridge
- Senior Harris Scholarship, 2014 – Downing College, University of Cambridge
- Platt Prize for Especial Distinction in University & College Examinations, 2014 – Downing College, University of Cambridge
- Clifford Chance CJ Hampson Prize 20 June 2014
- Lord Denning Scholarship, 2014 – Lincoln’s Inn
- Excellence Award, 2014 – BPP Law School
- James William Squire Scholarship, 2013 – Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge
- Hardwicke Entrance Award, 2013 – Lincoln’s Inn
- Harris Scholarship, 2013 – Downing College, University of Cambridge
- Seton-Cavendish Award – Downing College, University of Cambridge
James Egan is a self-employed, independent barrister whose practice is regulated by the Bar Standards Board [Bar Ref 66449] and governed by the Conduct Rules of the Bar of England and Wales. He is fully insured with the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund [BMIF Ref 2360/078] to provide legal services, please refer to the BMIF website for full details of the cover provided. He is registered for VAT under the reference 256487860.
