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James Poole

"James is great with clients and puts them at ease straightaway, inspiring confidence and clearly explaining points of law. He is a trusted advisor and someone who goes above and beyond in providing his services."
(Chambers UK 2024)

James is regularly recommended for the quality of his legal analysis, his persuasive advocacy in court, the practicality of his advice, and his sensitive and responsive interaction with clients.

He is ranked by Legal 500 for both Private Client: Trusts and Probate and Property Litigation, and by Chambers & Partners and Chambers HNW for his Traditional Chancery practice. His inter-disciplinary expertise means that much of his work concerns disputes involving multiple areas of law. This is reflected in some of his recent reported decisions, which include: Gohil v Kumara [2023] EWHC 1809 (Ch), Abdelnoor v Barker [2022] EWHC 1468 (Ch),Ware v Ware [2021] EWHC 694 (Ch) and Fantini v Scrutton [2020] EWHC 1552 (Ch).

James’ busy practice spans a number of Chambers’ key practice areas, and particularly focuses on:

  • Probate, inheritance and trust disputes, including 1975 Act claims, trustee/executor removal and TLATA claims;
  • Landlord and Tenant issues, both residential and commercial, including pubs and licensed premises;
  • Property, including covenants, easements, nuisance and boundary disputes;
  • Court of Protection applications, particularly concerning Property and Affairs;
  • Charity law, including advising charitable trustees and disputes over charity property; and
  • Commercial and contractual disputes, including arbitrations and interim applications such as freezing injunctions.

James is a skilled and highly effective advocate, who appears regularly in the High Court and County Courts. He also has significant experience of offshore litigation, particularly in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

James is (with Sidney Ross) one of the authors of the Fifth Edition of Ross on Inheritance Act Claims.

Before coming to the Bar, James taught at secondary and tertiary level in England and Vanuatu, and is equally comfortable being instructed in both English and Bislama.

James is also a qualified and experienced mediator, and welcomes instructions as a mediator in any of the areas in which he practices.

Partnerships & LLPs

James has worked on a large number of Partnership and LLP disputes, acting for both firms and individual partners. His cases cover a wide range of areas, including solicitors’ firms, hedge funds, farms, and family investment partnerships.

Recent highlights include:

  • Piquant Technologies LLP v Holloway: successfully represented the Claimant LLP its claim for repayment of sums owed to it by a former member of the LLP; after a three day trial the judge rejected the thirteen separate defences and awarded the Claimant the full sum claimed.
  • Harris v Holland [2021] EWHC (Ch): acting on behalf of a former member of partnership in a dispute about the terms of the settlement agreement entered into following the dissolution of the partnership.
  • Advising the directors of a company who engaged in four joint ventures relating to the development of residential and commercial properties, in a claim against the companies with whom they had entered the joint ventures.
  • Acting on behalf of members of an online gambling syndicate who sought repayment of sums from a former member of the syndicate.
  • Matters concerning expulsion and compulsory retirement (both in an advisory capacity and after disputes have arisen).
  • Drafting and updating partnership and LLP agreements.
  • Advising on the enforceability of restrictive covenants
  • Disputes involving solicitors’ firms, hedge funds, medical practices, farms, and family investment partnerships.

Recommendations


“James is always happy to have informal discussions about potential and ongoing instructions and is a pleasure to work with. His advocacy is top-notch and judges appreciate his clear, methodical approach to unravelling often hotly contested facts and applying legal principles. He is a safe pair of hands who can be trusted to judge the situation and adapt his approach accordingly.”

“Spot on in his advice, he is a very persuasive advocate who is excellent to work with as he is a good guide to the instructing solicitor and lay client.”

Chambers UK 2024

‘James is fantastic to work with. He is responsive and has a great eye for detail. He can step back and look at the bigger picture and understands the client’s needs which he factors into advice and strategy.’

‘Extremely personable and a very able advocate. James makes himself available and goes the extra mile to provide excellent client service, even on short notice. He has a very strategic approach and is a great asset to have in your corner.’

Legal 500 2024

“James is a brilliant lawyer and an all-round great guy. He knows his stuff and is someone that can be relied on in any situation. I always feel better having him in my corner.”

“He approaches cases with good humour and is loved by clients.”

Chambers UK 2023

“James is always happy to pick up the phone and goes above and beyond with both his instructing solicitors and clients. He is very down to earth with clients who, without exception, always love him and feel reassured by his presence. James is excellent on his feet and can always be relied on at a mediation to get the best possible result for the client. James is incredibly knowledgeable and his written work is always excellent.”

“James is clear and concise in his advice, giving good guidance and direction. He has an excellent manner with clients and very responsive.”

Legal 500 2022

Has an excellent bedside manner with clients. His research and advice is spot on. He is a safe pair of hands. He will always go the extra mile.

The ‘pragmatic‘ James Poole is recognised as a rising star of the Bar.

Legal 500 2020

Qualifications


  • Bar Professional Training Course (Outstanding), City Law School (2016)
  • Buchanan Prize, Lincoln’s Inn (2016)
  • Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn (2016)
  • Graduate Diploma in Law (Commendation), City Law School (2015)
  • Hardwicke Award, Lincoln’s Inn (2015)
  • Lord Bowen Scholarship, Lincoln’s In (2015)
  • MA Modern History, University of Oxford (2009)

Publications


  • “Persons Unknown”, New Law Journal, 21 November 2014 (with Tim Lawson-Cruttenden)

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.

Social links


Seminars & Webinars


Breakfast Briefings 2023

James Poole is a self-employed, independent barrister whose practice is regulated by the Bar Standards Board [Bar Council Ref 67708]. He is fully insured with the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund [BMIF Ref 2360/077] 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 278659634.

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