Russell Cooke Bedford Row Holborn

About James

Just like modern relationships, my clients are mixed and diverse. Whether as a lawyer or mediator, my role is to help my clients make informed and sensible decisions regarding their legal, financial and parenting relationships.

James is known for having a commercial, constructive and resolution focused approach combined with the ability to pursue litigation through the courts with tenacity where necessary. 

He specialises in the financial and other consequences of relationship formation or breakdown. His principal role is to help people separate sensibly. 

James is an expert in complex financial matters, including those involving businesses and trust/tax structures, often with an international dimension. He has considerable knowledge of pre-nuptial agreements (having sat on the Advisory Group to the Law Commission).

In contrast with many family lawyers, James' practice is not limited to representing married couples or those in a personal relationship. He also acts for family members, business partners or trusts/corporations who own property together or face family-related legal issues.

James is identified as a leader in the field in relation to same-sex relationships, civil partnerships and same-sex marriages, particularly those involving cross-border issues.

James has a particularly strong reputation in resolving matters through constructive discussions and cooperation. He is both an active and Accredited Family Mediator and a Collaborative Family Lawyer (both specialist forms of dispute resolution designed to reach solutions out of court). James also works with and advise individuals, couples or wider family members, and is qualified to work as the sole legal advisor to both parties who are separating, and where relevant their wider family. 

Clients are lucky to get both commercial knowledge with emotional sensitivity to help them resolve their settlement quickly and sensibly.
Chambers UK (2025)

Notable cases

  • Chancery Law case of Ashby v Killduff regarding the disputed ownership of a number of properties following the breakdown of a same-sex cohabiting relationship

  • Divorce case relating to the husband’s attempts to bankrupt himself to avoid his wife’s financial claims

  • Leading case on nullity and Islamic marriages of El Gamal v HRH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed al-Maktoum which also appeared in the Court of Appeal in relation to the financial provision for children of unmarried parents

James Carroll is an excellent lawyer and one of the very few lawyer mediators that handle the most difficult and complex cases. James is always on top of his game and will always strive to find the best outcomes for his clients and for the couple in mediation.
The Legal 500 (2025)

Memberships

  • Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers
  • Resolution
  • Practical Law, Editorial Board: Family
  • Family Mediation Council, Accredited Family Mediator 
James has such a wealth of expertise behind him. He can see the issues straight away and provide on-point advice.
Chambers HNW (2024)

Publications

  • Co-author of the Family Law Protocol published by the Law Society

Awards and accreditations

James's highlights

News

28.11.2024

John Gould wins ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at British Legal Awards

Chair and partner John Gould has been awarded the prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the 2024 British Legal Awards...
James Carroll, Joint Managing Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, family and children team.
James Carroll
1 min Read
News

07.11.2024

Russell-Cooke listed in The Times Best Law Firms for seventh consecutive year

Russell-Cooke has been listed among The Times Best Law Firms in its 2025 report, marking the firm’s seventh consecutive year of recognition. Reflecting its...
James Carroll, Joint Managing Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, family and children team.
James Carroll
2 min Read
News

17.10.2024

Russell-Cooke scoops 15 team and 54 individual rankings in Chambers UK 2025

Russell-Cooke has secured rankings along the full spectrum of its service areas, significantly growing the number of...
James Carroll, Joint Managing Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, family and children team.
James Carroll
2 min Read
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