Practice Areas

‘His forensic analysis and preparation are a winning formula.’
The Legal 500, 2017

Experience

Year of Call: 1997

Education

LLB (Hons)(Manc)

Profile

James has a busy family practice covering all aspects of family law, with an emphasis on ancillary relief, Inheritance Act claims, and cohabitees’ property disputes.  A good deal of James’s ancillary relief work involves complex property/trust issues and personal insolvency. James regularly acts on behalf of intervenors including trustees of family trusts, mortgagees and trustees in bankruptcy.


James undertakes a variety of real property work, encompassing mortgages, trusts, conveyancing, adverse possession and boundary disputes. He has a wide experience of commercial and residential landlord and tenant matters, including business tenancy renewals and dilapidation claims.

In the employment field James is instructed by employers and employees, dealing with redundancy, unfair dismissal, sex, race and disability discrimination, equal pay claims and employer’s liability claims. He has a particular interest in TUPE and redundancy issues consequent on business reorganisation.

James has frequently acted for clients in mediations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. James is professionally qualified as a family mediator with Family Mediators Association, one of the co-founders of the UK College of Family Mediators and an association with over 15 years experience in family mediation.

Professional Memberships

Family Law Bar Association
Family Mediators’ Association

Directories

‘A well-regarded junior.’
Legal 500, 2020

‘Effortlessly pierces through to the heart of the issue.’
Legal 500, 2019


‘His forensic analysis and preparation are a winning formula.’
Legal 500, 2017

‘Well acquainted with property and family law so perfect for TOLATA cases; he is very thorough and good on detail.’
The Legal 500, 2016

‘A man for forensic detail, and he brings a determined presence to court.’
The Legal 500, 2015

James Copley is particularly impressive.
The Legal 500, 2014

James Copley is ‘extremely intelligent and thorough’
The Legal 500, 2013

James Copley, who has ‘a ferocious intellect that impresses his clients and frequently stuns his opposition’.
The Legal 500, 2012 

James is recommended as a Leading Family Junior in The Legal 500, 2011

James Copley stands out.
The Legal 500, 2010

James Copley ‘gets to grips with the facts of the case quickly and is always honest with clients.’
The Legal 500, 2009

James is recommended as a Leading Family Junior in The Legal 500, 2008

James is recommended as a Leading Family Junior in The Legal 500, 2007

James is recommended as a Leading Family Junior in The Legal 500, 2006