Year of Call: 2000
“Very measured and very bright, you are reassured when you know he is on your side. He is very user-friendly and can turn around advice quickly when required.” “Always sees the bigger picture and really gains the trust and confidence of clients.”
James is top ranked by Chambers Global for his trusts and offshore work: "he is quick and clever and he understands everything. You can count on him to do exactly what he says he will", he has "strong tactical nous" and "marvellous attention to detail." Much of his work is offshore and almost all of it has an international aspect. He has particular experience of litigation in Jersey and Guernsey.
A co-author of the 20th edition of Lewin on Trusts, James is recognised as an expert in trusts law and is described in Legal 500 as a "hardworking and enthusiastic trust specialist". He has acted in Jersey as an expert witness in English trust law. He is particularly sought after for advice on novel questions where the case law does not directly assist.
1995-1998 B.A. Emmanuel College Cambridge (1st class) (placed 2nd in year)
1998-1999 LL.M. Emmanuel College, Cambridge (1st class) (starred 1st in tax)
1998-1999 British Academy Studentship
1999-2000 Bar Vocational Course (Inns of Court School of Law)
Deputy District Judge (Northern Circuit)
Deputy Chancery Master
Chancery Bar Association
Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists
French (competency); Italian (basic); Spanish (basic)
James Robert Brightwell
778 692 066
2021 Barrister of the Year, Silver Award at Citywealth Magic Circle Awards
1999-2000 Hardwicke Scholarship; Thomas More Bursary (Lincoln’s Inn)
1998 Cambridge University George Long Prize for Jurisprudence
Byline "Court Asserts How Jersey Law Applies in Trust Cases" Wealth Briefing with Kathryn Purkis, 25 April 2018
Chambers UK Bar Awards
Chancery Junior of the Year
Citywealth Magic Circle Awards
Barrister of the Year Silver Award