JAMES FROM PINNER: CONVICTED CHILD SEX OFFENDER WORKING IN COURTS DESPITE BAN

In a disturbing development, James, a man with a criminal past involving child sexual abuse images, is currently operating within the judicial system in Pinner, North West London, despite being legally barred from practicing law. This situation raises serious concerns about safeguarding measures and the effectiveness of professional regulation.

James, who is 52 years old, was previously a solicitor but was struck off the legal register in 2014 following a conviction related to child exploitation images. Despite this, he now positions himself as an advisor in family court proceedings, specifically assisting parents involved in disputes over the custody and residence of their children.

He offers his services as a McKenzie Friend, a role that permits him to observe court proceedings, take notes, provide advice, and review confidential documents, although he is not permitted to speak or act as a legal representative. James charges clients a fee of £70 per hour and operates across several courts in London, including those in Barnet, Croydon, and the central London area.

According to reports, officers responsible for child safeguarding in Family Court cases have issued warnings to colleagues about James’s presence in their courts, urging vigilance and appropriate action should he appear. This is particularly concerning given his criminal history and the nature of his previous convictions.

James’s criminal record dates back to November 2012, when he was convicted at Harrow Crown Court of multiple offences involving indecent photographs of children. Specifically, he was found guilty of 10 counts of making indecent images or pseudo-images of a child, five counts of taking such photographs, and one count of possessing an indecent image of a child. For these offences, he received a sentence of four months’ imprisonment, which was suspended for two years, and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for a period of seven years.

In February 2014, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) took action against James, leading to his removal from the professional register. The SRA’s decision was based on findings that he had failed to uphold the rule of law, acted without integrity, and engaged in conduct that could diminish public trust in the legal profession. The tribunal also noted the seriousness of his sexual offences involving children and expressed concern over his apparent lack of awareness of the harm caused.

James’s previous employment included roles at Healys LLP, where he provided residential and commercial property legal services, and at Fletcher Day, a prominent law firm in central London. A spokesperson for Fletcher Day confirmed that James had been employed from August 2013 until his resignation in January of the following year. They stated that the firm was unaware of his conviction at the time of employment, as he did not disclose it, and only discovered the truth two weeks before his tribunal hearing. The firm expressed regret, noting that James had presented a glowing reference but had lied throughout the hiring process.

Despite his criminal record and the ban from practicing law, James continues to involve himself in court proceedings in Pinner, advising families in sensitive custody disputes. Authorities and legal bodies are now faced with the challenge of ensuring that individuals with such serious convictions do not undermine the integrity of the judicial process or put vulnerable children at risk.