James Puzey

Call: 1990

James recently joined chambers in June 2025. With over 30 years of practice, James is one of the UK’s most highly regarded barristers in the specialist fields of health and safety, inquests, environmental regulation, and revenue enforcement. His cross-disciplinary expertise places him at the forefront of these complex and often high-stakes areas of law, and he is consistently recognised in the top tier of legal rankings — Band 1 in Chambers & Partners (2025) and Tier 1 Leading Junior in The Legal 500 (2025).

James is the trusted choice of leading public bodies — including the Health and Safety Executive, HM Revenue and Customs, and various local authorities — as well as major private-sector clients. He is regularly instructed in their most challenging and sensitive matters, often involving significant reputational risks, public safety concerns, or novel legal questions.

Clients and instructing solicitors frequently describe James as “truly excellent,” praising his meticulous attention to detail, his reliability, and his unwavering commitment. Known for his ability to manage complex cases with ease and precision, he is widely recognised as a barrister who “misses nothing and is on top of everything.”

Given his status and depth of experience, James’s current caseload is almost exclusively comprised of matters of exceptional complexity, severity, or consequence. He is particularly sought after for precedent-setting litigation and cases involving cutting-edge developments in his specialist fields.

James appears regularly in both civil and criminal courts and is a seasoned appellate advocate. He is frequently instructed in judicial review proceedings and cases before the Court of Appeal.

James also holds rare dual accreditation reflecting his outstanding capabilities in both regulatory and civil law. He was first appointed to the Attorney General’s Panel of Prosecution Advocates in 1998, and since 2012, has been an “A” panel member of its successor — the List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health and Safety and Environmental Law. He has also served on the Attorney General’s Panel of Civil Counsel since 1996 and currently holds a place on its prestigious “A” list.

James brings over two decades of front-line experience in the most serious and complex Health and Safety prosecutions, with a strong emphasis on fatal accident cases and matters involving risk to the public at large. Regularly instructed in the Crown Court, James is known for his balanced and expert advocacy, whether acting for the prosecution or the defence. His hallmark is the ability to unravel intricate regulatory frameworks, absorb and dissect large volumes of technical evidence, and support witnesses of all types with a tactful yet effective approach.

James’s reputation as an eminent Crown Court advocate is matched by his significant appellate experience. He has appeared in landmark decisions, including R v Exolum [2024] EWCA Crim 947 and R v John Bruce [2021] EWCA Crim 1896, helping to shape the evolving landscape of Health and Safety law.

His expertise extends into complex environmental litigation, where he is regularly instructed in major cases involving large-scale air and water pollution. Notably, James has prosecuted statutory undertakers such as Severn Trent Water and Yorkshire Water, bringing clarity and rigor to matters of national consequence.

An authority on regulatory law, James is also a frequent speaker at industry seminars and training events, sharing insight on Health and Safety, environmental compliance, and coronial procedure. His teaching is informed by hands-on experience and a deep understanding of legislation, enforcement policy, and judicial expectations.

James’s dual “A” panel status — both as a Specialist Regulatory Advocate and as part of the Attorney-General’s Civil Panel of Counsel — is rare and underscores his breadth of capability in both criminal and civil spheres. He has held this distinction for over 13 years, a testament to his sustained excellence and trusted status across government and private-sector instructions alike.

James has been a trusted and experienced advocate in the Coroner’s Court since the 1990s. He appears regularly at inquests across the UK, representing a broad spectrum of interested persons, including insurers, the Health and Safety Executive, statutory bodies, corporate clients, and local authorities. James deliberately maintains a balanced coronial practice, firmly believing that representing a wide range of clients ensures insight into all relevant perspectives, legislation, and evolving rules of coronial procedure.

James is particularly noted for his measured and calm advocacy, as well as his adept handling of vulnerable witnesses. His presence contributes to the structured and respectful progression of inquest proceedings — a vital skill in often emotionally charged and sensitive environments. He is especially experienced in cases involving complex medical evidence, multi-agency input, and contentious factual or legal issues.

In recent years, James has been frequently instructed in high-profile and high-stakes inquests, often involving:

Significant reputational risk to organisations;
Substantial financial exposure, including where follow-on litigation or regulatory proceedings may arise;
Multiple fatalities, or cases with serious public safety implications;
Complex interplay between civil, regulatory, and criminal liability.

James also brings judicial insight to his practice through his role as an Assistant Coroner in Worcestershire, further enhancing his understanding of coronial law from both sides of the bench. He regularly delivers seminars and training on coronial procedure and law, reinforcing his standing as a thought leader in the field.

James is an established indirect tax litigation specialist, with over 15 years’ experience. Many of his cases involve new or challenging points of law and/or have been reported and relied upon subsequently. His practice encompasses VAT and Customs and Excise duties appeals from the Tax Tribunal (Upper and First Tier) to the High Court and Court of Appeal. There are few areas of litigation before the Tribunal which James has not been involved in and he is considered a ‘go to’ barrister by HMRC.

“A noted junior who is regularly called upon to prosecute and defend complex health and safety matters. He has considerable experience in the handling of fatal accident cases. He is also adept at undertaking inquest work.”

― Chambers UK 2025

“A highly regarded barrister who is a specialist in indirect taxation. He has acted in a number of cases concerning MTIC fraud. He is adept at acting in public law challenges on taxation issues.”

― Chambers UK 2025

"He’s very methodical, considered in his approach and prepares well in advance. His cross-examination is excellent and he’s very cool under pressure.”

― Chambers & Partners 2024

“Jim is an impressive barrister. He has an excellent and calm manner with clients. He always ensures that the lay client fully understands the basis for his advice. He is a team player and works excellently with solicitors and barristers alike. His advocacy in court is thoroughly prepared and well presented.”

― Legal 500 2023

‘A’ list of the List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health and Safety and Environmental Law

‘A’ list for the Attorney-General’s Civil Panel of Counsel

Midland Circuit

The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple

Criminal Bar Association

Health and Safety Lawyers Association

LLB, University of Liverpool – 1986 to 1989 – 2:1 (hons)
Bar Vocational Course – Inns of Court School of Law – 1990

Health and safety and environmental experience includes:

Ongoing HSE Prosecutions (2025) – James is currently instructed by the HSE in several fatal accident prosecutions including the ongoing prosecutions of Tata Chemicals Europe, Bertschi UK Ltd and Claydon Horse Exercisers;
HSE v McHale Engineering Limted (2024) – Prosecution of the agricultural machinery manufacturer in connection with a traumatic amputation incident on a round baler;
Operation Lord (2024) – James was instructed by the EA to lead the prosecution of 13 defendants for the operation of an illegal landfill site in All defendants convicted;
R(HSE) v Exolum Pipeline System (2023) – James successfully prosecuted this company for the unsafe excavation of a pressurized pipeline leaking petrol;
R(HSE) v Inco Contracts Ltd & Prestige Security Installations (2023) – Fatal accident trial re fall from height on construction site;
R(HSE ) v RJ Lifts Limited (2023) – Fatal crushing accident caused by moving lift;

James’ extensive inquest and coronial matters experience includes:

2025 – James is acting for Herefordshire CC concerning death of care leaver;
2025 – James is instructed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the inquest into the death of an apprentice engineer on a fishing vessel in dock when fire suppression system discharged unexpectedly
2024 – Inquest into death of construction worker falling from height in Bristol. James was instructed by the principal contractor, Garvey Construction Ltd;
2023 – Inquest into the death of a construction worker crushed by falling blocks. James was instructed by the principal contractor, Piper Homes Ltd;

James’ extensive tax and duties experience includes the following reported cases:

Anglia Ruskin Students Union v HMRC [2025] EWHC 296 (admin) – James was successful for HMRC in resisting this JR Claim concerning VAT on catering at student unions. An important decision on extra-statutory concessions;
Singleton Birch & anthr v HMRC [2025] UKUT 72 – James led the HMRC team that successfully resisted the appeal against this multimillion pound landfill tax assessment;
Elphysic & others v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 291 (TC) – Leading HMRC team in ongoing lead cases, concerning mini-umbrella fraud group litigation by 18000 appellants concerning hundreds of millions of pounds worth of assessed tax;
Mitchell & Bell v HMRC [2023] EWCA Civ 261 – Leading for HMRC in important case on disclosure in tax litigation;
Cambria Automobiles (South East) v HMRC [2023] UKUT 249 – Successful in resisting appeal for repayment of allegedly overpaid VAT on car sales;