James Strachan QC has an extensive practice in administrative and public law, planning and environment, local government, commercial, financial services, media and human rights.

He has wide experience of acting in public law cases covering a large number of areas including planning, mental health, national security and immigration, prisons, financial services regulation, local government, civil liberties and human rights, appearing on behalf of the Government, local authorities and claimants. He is recommended in Administrative & Public Law and Human Rights Law by the current editions of both the UK Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, who describe him as “a superb lawyer”.

He also has an extensive practice in the field of planning, environment and compulsory purchase appearing regularly at public inquiries and in the courts in respect of most aspects of planning and environmental control, with particular recent experience in areas of housing, retail, highways, compulsory purchase and urban design. James frequently acts for many of the leading housebuilders and retailers as well as statutory bodies and public authorities. Recent ongoing or completed inquiries include: He appeared for Cala Homes in its challenge to the decision of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to withdraw Regional Strategies.James has expertise in all aspects of environmental law, particularly cases with a European dimension.

He also has wide experience of commercial law, with particular focus on financial services and regulation, has acted for regulators and ombudsman including the Financial Services Authority and Financial Ombudsman Service. He recently appeared in R (British Bankers Association) v Financial Service Authority& Financial Ombudsman Service. He also has particular experience of privacy and media law including acting in cases concerning breach of confidence, privacy, libel and protection from harassment as well as appearing as a witness before House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Privacy and Media Intrusion. James is ranked by The Legal 500 for Defamation and Privacy.

James was announced as the ‘Environmental & Planning Silk of the Year’ at the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards 2016 on Thursday 27th October 2016.