James Ortiz

James has a broad criminal law practice in the Magistrates’ Court, Youth Court, and Crown Court. He has appeared in the Court of Appeal and his submissions were described as ‘clear and concise’. Lately, his successes include acquittals in Crown Court fraud, affray, burglary and violent disorder trials.

In the Youth Court, he has recently won robbery and dangerous driving cases. He has experience representing vulnerable defendants and being led as junior counsel. He frequently accepts privately funded work. 

Before becoming a barrister, James was a criminal defence paralegal for a prominent criminal law firm. He also taught criminal law part-time at Royal Holloway, University of London while studying for the Bar.

• General Crime
• Drug Offences including Supply and Cultivation 
• Fraud and Theft
• Criminal Property
• Aggravated Robbery and Burglary 
• Serious Acts of Violence including GBH S.18  
• Sex Offences
• Proceeds of Crime
• Driving Offences including Causing Serious Injury

R v M

M was said to have stolen an HGV vehicle full of valuable computer equipment. The outcome was a not guilty verdict at Northampton Crown Court.

R v J

A cut-throat violent disorder trial representing one of six defendants at Nottingham Crown Court. The case concerned two groups of armed men engaging in a riot.

R v T

A case of dangerous driving at Wellingborough Youth Court where the defence was modern slavery and duress. The outcome was a not guilty verdict.

R v C

The Prosecution sought to rely on res gestae evidence in the Crown Court against C in a case alleging several violent offences. The admissibility of the res gestae evidence was challenged by the Defence and the Defence sought to exclude the evidence. The Prosecution ultimately had to offer no evidence against C and not guilty verdicts were entered.

R v J

J pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. Despite the case law setting out that this offence should attract immediate custody, a suspended sentence was secured after plea in mitigation.

R v L

L faced four counts of indecent exposure. Not guilty verdicts were entered after a successful half-time submission on all four counts.

R v H

Crown Court fraud acquittal. 

R v O

Crown Court multi-handed affray acquittal.

R v N

Crown Court robbery trial.

R v B

Crown Court ABH trial.

R v K

Crown Court ABH trial.

R v H

Youth Court joint enterprise robbery acquittal.

• University of the West of England, BPTC (Outstanding)
• University College London, LLM Jurisprudence (Distinction)
• University of Bristol, LLB (Hons)

• Fluent French and conversation Spanish.
• Plays for a weekly six-a-side football team.
• Formerly part of the Bristol University Futsal Team.

• Inner Temple Outstanding Award
• Inner Temple Exhibition Award
• Intervarsity Mooting Competition (1st Place)
• Lawyers Without Borders Debating Competition (1st Place)