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James MacDougald

"James is first class. He is unflappable, incredibly user-friendly and someone who deals with matters in a very timely fashion."
(Chambers UK 2025)

James is a Chancery barrister specialising in trusts and estates, inheritance disputes and private client taxation. His broader practice encompasses charities, Court of Protection work, property rights and professional negligence claims. He enjoys a mixture of litigation and non-contentious advisory work. He appears frequently in the High Court, has appeared as junior counsel in the Court of Appeal and has been instructed in a range of offshore cases in Jersey, Guernsey, Bermuda and the Bahamas.

In the legal directories he is variously described as “super bright”, “conscientious”, “approachable” with “excellent technical skills” and as “a junior with an impressive mind, whose knowledge base in trusts is superb for one of his call.”

Before coming to the Bar, James worked as an assistant editor at the Daily Telegraph.

Ranked in Band 1 for Trusts and Band 4 in Chancery: Traditional in Chambers UK 2022.

James is a Chancery barrister specialising in trusts and estates, inheritance disputes and private client taxation. His broader practice encompasses charities, Court of Protection work, property rights and professional negligence claims. He enjoys a mixture of litigation and non-contentious advisory work. He appears frequently in the High Court, has appeared as junior counsel in the Court of Appeal and has been instructed in a range of offshore cases in Jersey, Guernsey, Bermuda and the Bahamas.

In the legal directories he is variously described as “super bright”, “conscientious”, “approachable” with “excellent technical skills” and as “a junior with an impressive mind, whose knowledge base in trusts is superb for one of his call.”

Before coming to the Bar, James worked as an assistant editor at the Daily Telegraph.

Ranked in Band 1 for Trusts and Band 4 in Chancery: Traditional in Chambers UK 2022.

Recommendations


“Quick to respond and unfailingly helpful, he has in-depth knowledge of private client work and is a pleasure to work with. He impresses clients with his manner and knowledge.”

“James is technically excellent and his advocacy is very good.”

“A delightful barrister, who is wise beyond his year and always quick to assist.”

“He is highly practical, extremely nice to deal with and brilliant with the client.”

“James is a considered, measured and very bright barrister with a brilliant memory, who has a great sense of strategy. He never lets you down and possesses great drafting skills.”

“James is first class. He is unflappable, incredibly user-friendly and someone who deals with matters in a very timely fashion.”

“James is very thoughtful and erudite, with a careful and reasonable demeanour which reassures clients and those instructing him.”

Legal 500 2025

“An excellent junior, who is responsive, very bright and totally dependable. He can turn his hand to anything and is always willing to roll up his sleeves. James also has a very good understanding of the solicitor position with regard to clients.”

“James has an incisive mind and provides practical advice.”

“James is fantastically smart and a pleasure to work with.”

“James is very responsive and patient, and provides advice on pretty knotty stuff . He is technically really good.”

Chambers UK 2024

‘James can provide thorough and considered advice. His written advice is detailed but still clear and client-friendly. He is extremely knowledgeable and an absolute pleasure to work with.’

Legal 500 2024

“Fantastically clever, highly efficient and always willing to lend a hand and chat through any issues.”

“An absolute star across the board, from international trusts to Court of Protection work.”

Chambers UK 2023

“He is highly bright.”

“James provides clear, practical advice within the timeframe estimated  He is always willing to talk through matters.”

“Approachable and perceptive, he provides timely and sensible input whether drafting documents or advising by telephone or in writing.”

Chambers UK 2022

“Very personable and thoughtful, he looks around the issues and provides comprehensive and practical advice in a straightforward manner. He has a real desire to be helpful.”

“A star for the future who works well with the much more senior members of offshore litigation teams.”

Legal 500 2022

“He’s one of the most efficient and enthusiastic juniors.”

“He’s very helpful, conscientious, straightforward and easy to deal with.”

“A junior with an impressive mind, whose knowledge base in trusts is superb for one of his call.”

 

Chambers UK 2021

Very bright, excellent drafting and advocacy. Sound advice. Very good on less common procedural issues.

Legal 500 2020

“He’s one of the most efficient and enthusiastic juniors I have come across

“He’s very helpful, conscientious, straightforward and easy to deal with.”

Chambers HNW 2020

“He is super bright, willing and never lets me down. He is quite thoughtful in nature and very willing to talk things through. He’s very approachable and clients have a lot of confidence in him.”

Chambers UK 2020

“Has a keen eye for detail and knows trusts inside out.”

Legal 500 2020

“James MacDougald is very impressive. His cross-examination of witnesses and thoroughness is admired. He quickly gets to grips with the key issues and advises pragmatically and strategically. He has a very personable touch with clients who are just as impressed with his advocacy.”

HNW Guide 2019

“Very young but already very accomplished in his field, he has excellent technical skills and is always strong and forthright in his opinions.”

“He gets very involved in cases and fights tenaciously for the client.”

Chambers UK 2019

“His technical knowledge is very good and he gets to grips with things very quickly. Even though he is a young junior, he really inspires confidence in solicitors and clients. He is very thoughtful in his approach and never shy to give his opinion on matters.”

HNW 2018 Guide

“A highly rated junior”

“Already very accomplished in this field.”

“He is very cerebral and he is shaping up to a really excellent technical lawyer”

“He thinks through things deeply and always comes back up with very practical advice.”

“He is brilliant at dealing with counsel on the other side. He gets very involved in cases and fights tenaciously for the client.”

Chambers UK 2018

“Even though he is a young junior, he really inspires confidence in solicitors and clients. He is very thoughtful in his approach and never shy to give his opinion on matters.”

“He is wonderful and really knows his stuff.”

Chambers HNW 2017

Qualifications


  • Bar Professional Training Course (Outstanding), College of Law (2011)
  • Graduate Diploma in Law (Commendation), College of Law (2010)
  • BA (First Class), University of York (2009)

Associations & Memberships


  • Chancery Bar Association
  • Court of Protection Bar Association

Publications


James is an author of Williams on Wills (10th ed.)

Published articles:

Speaking Engagements


James regularly delivers talks (in seminars and webinars) on a wide range of topics relating to his core practice areas.

For more information and advice

Call: +44 (0)20 7405 0758

Email: clerks@tenoldsquare.com

Pricing Policy

Unless otherwise agreed my Clerk will calculate my fees based on my current hourly rate. My rates are reviewed annually and details can be obtained from my Clerk. Once a rate is set for any particular case the hourly rate will only ever be adjusted with express agreement between my Clerks and those instructing me. All fees are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate where applicable.

Awards


  • Hardwicke Award, Lincoln’s Inn (2010)
  • Buchanan Prize, Lincoln’s Inn (2011)

James MacDougald is a self-employed, independent barrister whose practice is governed by the Code of Conduct of the Bar of England and Wales. He is regulated by The Bar Standards Board [Bar Ref 22569] and is fully insured with the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund [BMIF Ref 2360/071] to provide legal services, please refer to the BMIF website for full details of the world-wide cover provided. He is registered for VAT under the reference 170343630.

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