R v X
Leading Junior before the Court Martial representing Coldstream Guardsman accused of stealing to sell hundreds of items classified as Attractive to Criminals and Terrorist Organisations (“ACTO”) (Bulford Military Court)
James is ranked as a Leading Junior in Chambers & Partners UK Bar & Legal 500 UK Bar.
James’ practice encompasses all areas of Chambers’ criminal and quasi-criminal defence work in both the civilian courts and the Courts Martial, including allegations involving homicide, serious violence, firearms, drugs, sex, public order, dangerous dogs, dishonesty and Animal Welfare.
James is instructed both as a leading junior and junior alone.
James is instructed regularly as a leading junior and has particular expertise in firearms matters, homicides, and complex multi-complainant sex cases.
Leading Junior before the Court Martial representing Coldstream Guardsman accused of stealing to sell hundreds of items classified as Attractive to Criminals and Terrorist Organisations (“ACTO”) (Bulford Military Court)
Leading Junior defending 85-count indictment of historical sexual allegations made by nineteen complainants (Lewes Crown Court)
Leading Junior defending 3-complainant Rape case for an ex-professional footballer (Lewes Crown Court).
Junior-alone defending Attempted Murder allegation where the defendant was said to have deliberately driven onto the pavement in order to run over his victim in a revenge attack (Birmingham Crown Court)
Junior-alone defending Attempted Murder and Possession of Firearm with Intent charges (Birmingham Crown Court)
Junior-alone defending Attempted Murder allegation where the defendant is said to have set his wife’s head on fire (Guildford Crown Court)
Led-Junior representing 17-year-old accused of Murdering a 16-year-old with a machete (Central Criminal Court)
Led-junior in Murder allegation representing a geriatric profoundly deaf transexual defendant accused of killing her husband with a samurai sword, led by Alan Gardner KC (Lewes Crown Court)
2-month Murder trial, representing first defendant, in what reported as the Banbury Valentine’s-Eve Murder led by Andrew Selby KC (Oxford Crown Court)
Led by Alan Gardner KC representing autistic defendant accused of multiple historic Rapes (Oxford Crown Court)
Junior-alone defending 11-count indictment of domestic Rapes, Assault by Penetration, Voyeurism and Controlling & Coercive behaviour, where mobile phone footage had been taken of the Complainant asleep during the bulk of the sex-acts (Oxford Crown Court)
Led by Justin Rouse KC in multi-complainant allegation of historic Rape, Sexual Assaults and Child Cruelty. The case was of the utmost sensitivity given the very young age of the complainants at the time of the allegations, and involved complicated transgender and “false memory” issues. Defendant acquitted (Oxford Crown Court)
Led by Justin Rouse KC representing first defendant accused of Raping, Torturing and Administering Noxious Substances to a young woman in Banbury (Oxford Crown Court)
Court Martial representing young Sapper acquitted of Raping a fellow soldier. The case attracted international media coverage (Bulford Military Court)
Junior-alone representing Defendant in a 5-handed Conspiracy to commit Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent who was acquitted, having been initially investigated for Conspiracy to Murder (Wood Green Crown Court)
Junior-alone representing the only Defendant acquitted in a 4-week six-handed Conspiracy to commit Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent on an indictment containing Attempted Murder and Blackmail allegations (Lewes Crown Court)
Multiple allegations of Grievous Bodily Harm & Throwing Corrosive Fluid with Intent to Cause Grievous Bodily Harm contrary to ss. 18 & 29 of the Offences Against the Person Act – led junior on 4-week multi-handed trial (Bournemouth Crown Court)
Highly sensitive allegation of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving prosecuted by King’s Counsel (Winchester Crown Court)
Court Martial representing Wing Commander as the senior RAF officer based at the Pentagon accused of Fraud, attracting national and international media coverage (Catterick Military Court)
No5 Barristers’ Chambers are delighted to announce that James Hay (Lamb Building) has agreed to join Chambers as an Associate Tenant from the 1st May. Michael…
“Has very good attention to detail.”
“He’s excellent with clients.”
“He demonstrates particular strength in defending cases involving allegations of dangerous driving.”
"Noted for his expert handling of a range of serious violence, firearms, and sexual assault cases.”
“James Hay is comfortable both led and unled in a wide variety of matters. His matters also attract media attention, often involving homicides and serious sexual offences.”
No5 Barristers’ Chambers are delighted to announce that James Hay (Lamb Building) has agreed to join Chambers as an Associate Tenant from the 1st May. Michael…
