James Claughton

James joined Olliers in 2020, having studied Law with Business at the University of Liverpool followed by a Masters in Legal Practice. He qualified as a solicitor in 2022 and was promoted to Associate Solicitor in 2023.

Pre-charge investigations

James has a particular interest in the pre-charge investigation stage of cases and has a significant caseload of pre-charge cases. He frequently makes representations against charge on behalf of clients under investigation. James’ 2019 Masters project was entitled ‘Proposals for increasing pre-charge engagement between the prosecution and the defence’.

James will always look to bring an investigation to a conclusion expeditiously without the need for prosecution. He is known for his strategic approach liaising with investigators throughout. James has significant experience in dealing with cases at this stage of the case.

Regulatory

He has a particular interest in complex fraud and regulatory matters, together with inquiries and inquests. James also has experience of representation of company director facing prosecution for non-filing of accounts.

Ancillary

James has also worked on matters including POCA offences and drugs cases. He also undertakes work on appealing and variation of ancillary orders after conviction.

Recent Cases

• 2024 – Pre-charge Representation of a company director facing allegations of fraud by abuse of position. No further action taken following successful attendance at interviews and successful representations.
• 2024 – Representation of a client referred to a professional conduct hearing by the Teaching Regulation Authority.
• 2024 – Pre-charge representation of Defendant facing sexual allegations, no further action taken following successful representations.
• 2024 – Part of a team representing client facing manslaughter allegations.
• 2024 – Acting for client in proceedings at Bolton Crown Court facing allegations of conspiring to import Class A drugs from overseas, proceedings ongoing. No evidence offered by prosecution.
• 2024 – Representation of client facing allegations of conspiring to import class a drugs from USA investigation ongoing.
• 2023 – Advised Managing Director of national housebuilding company facing driving offences, driving licence maintained.
• 2023 – Representation of client at the pre-charge investigation stage for domestic offences. Following robust defence representation the police took no further action.
• 2023 – Pre-charge representation of Defendant facing allegations of public order offence, no further action following representations.
• 2023 – Representation of a company director facing allegations of fraud by abuse of position.
• 2023 – Representation of defendant facing allegations of fraud in Operation Gilbert. National Trading Standards Team operation, an alleged fraud connected with several model agencies and photography studios. Proceedings ongoing.
• 2023 – Representation of a client facing allegations of conspiring to cheat the public revenue. Crown Court proceedings ongoing.
• 2023 – Representation of client facing allegation of causing death by careless driving, no further action taken by the police.
• 2022 – Representation of client facing Information Commissioner’s Office investigation into data protection breaches
• 2022 – Advising overseas crypto currency trader in client in relation to obligations to register with Financial Conduct Authority for the purpose of UK based activity.
• 2022 – Advising compliance officer regarding HMRC investigation – allegation of being responsible person of company alleged to have been acting as unregistered money service business provider.  No further action taken.
• 2022 – Representation of a Doctor required to appear at an Interim Orders Tribunal before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service and advising throughout the investigation by the General Medical Council.

Testimonials

“Amazing news James. Thank you so much for all your help and support over the last 2 years with this.”

“I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for all your help with this over the last 2 years. You successfully managed to overturn both matters for me.”

“I found Olliers to be outstanding because of their up-to-date, excellent legal skills which resulted in my matter being dealt with swiftly and with minimal stress (i.e. they knew what they were doing, keeping matters as simple and straightforward as possible). I believe that this was achieved by the firm being dynamic and team based, with a blend of experienced solicitors, newly qualified solicitors and trainee solicitors.”

“I was impressed by James Claughton (who transitioned from a trainee solicitor to a fully-fledged solicitor shortly before my matter was concluded) because of his knowledge and his down-to-earth and honest approach – which resulted in a successful outcome. Thank you.”

Articles written by James