James Buchanan

James Buchanan

"James is a heavyweight performer in health and safety. His work ethic, ability with clients and jury advocacy are all outstanding."

"His client care is one of his pus points, and he is personable and a safe pair of hands. He knows the law inside and out.”

Chambers UK 2025
Year of call: 1993
For enquiries please call: 020 7353 5324 or email vcard cv linkedin save

James Buchanan is recognised as a leading criminal regulatory practitioner, specialising in health and safety, environmental law and inquests. He acts for corporates, directors and employees and is instructed regularly in prosecutions arising from fatal and other serious accidents.

James works across a number of industry sectors, including construction, transport, manufacturing, waste management, policing and healthcare. He has particular expertise in representing individuals charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

Shortlisted for Chambers UK 2023 – Health and Safety Junior of the Year.

What others say:

“James’s written work is always at the highest standard and turned around quickly. He is good at handling clients and keeping them focused on strategy.” – Chambers UK 2025

“James’s client care is one of his plus points, and he is very personable and a safe pair of hands. He knows the law inside and out.” – Chambers UK 2025

“James is a heavyweight performer in health and safety. His work ethic, ability with clients and jury advocacy are all outstanding.” – Chambers UK 2024

“His attention to detail shows itself in conference and at court.” – Chambers UK 2024

“He is an excellent advocate, strategist and has a great demeanour with clients.” – Chambers UK 2024

“James is an all-rounder – he is an impressive advocate, personable with clients and excellent at assessing the most appropriate strategy depending on the individual case circumstances.” – Legal 500 UK 2024

“James delivers a very attentive level of service.” – Chambers UK 2023

“He is a team player and an effective advocate.” – Chambers UK 2023

“He is a fabulous advocate who concentrates on swiftly getting to the heart of a case.” – Chambers UK 2023

“Friendly, approachable and very knowledgeable, he is excellent for complex cases as he’s all over the detail.” – Chambers UK 2022

“He is great with clients, speaks with authority and is technically very good.” – Chambers UK 2022

“James has a lovely way with clients. He is diligent, hard working, modest and generally a very nice person which clients, instructing solicitors and court staff all warm to with ease. James has built his reputation over the years in this practice area and has done so quietly, without dramatics, to establish himself very firmly as one of the best senior juniors in London in H&S.” – Legal 500 UK 2022

“He’s approachable, has a keen legal mind and is very strategic.” “He is fantastic with clients and is very responsive. He is also a great advocate on his feet and charms coroners and juries alike.” and “A really pragmatic barrister. He is tactically very strong and has a dry sense of humour.” – Chambers UK 2021

“James grasps issues very quickly and is able to articulate arguments with relative ease. He is well liked by juries and has become well versed in his knowledge of health and safety law. He has a likeable manner and has a way of putting clients at ease.” – Legal 500 UK 2021

“He is very experienced and very good with clients, and his main strength is that he is so approachable and down-to-earth.” “Great attention to detail in preparation and first class presentation in court.”  Chambers UK 2020

“Very good on his feet with a great client manner.” – Legal 500 2020

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