James Down

James leads Hempsons’ national inquest team. He is a vastly experienced advocate who regularly represents the interests of organisations and individuals in complicated and high profile inquests, including deaths of patients detained under the Mental Health Act and hospital deaths involving complex medical issues. He frequently appears at Article 2 and jury inquests involving multiple agencies.

James is also the firm’s lead contact for health & safety matters, representing organisations and individuals facing HSE investigations and prosecution. He also has significant corporate support experience.

Main areas of expertise

• inquests
• healthcare advice
• health and safety
• criminal defence

The clients he works with

• NHS trusts
• NHS Resolution
• medical defence organisations
• healthcare practitioners