Garden Court congratulates James Holmes who has been shortlisted as a finalist for Legal Aid Barrister of the Year at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2026 (LALYs).
We are proud to be sponsoring this year’s Childcare Legal Aid award category, with Lorraine Green (Miles & Partners), Deborah Piccos (TV Edwards) and Kathy Walker (Duncan Lewis) announced as finalists.
The LALYs are organised by Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG), on a non-profit basis, to celebrate the work of lawyers on the social justice frontline.
Our warmest congratulations to all those shortlisted for this years LALY awards.
James Holmes (Year of Call: 2011)
James specialises in the following areas: Children’s Law, Court of Protection and International Family Law.
James has acted in high-profile family law cases that have been legally aided as well as pro bono, instructed to represent local authorities, parents and Children’s Guardians. James is regularly instructed as a leading junior in cases involving the most serious allegations or in cases where other parties who have leading juniors and silks.
James has developed a particular expertise in complex public law matters, including those dealing with; shaken baby, trauma, non-accidental injury cases, forced marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM). James was instructed in the first FGM case which went before the Court of Appeal, Re X (A Child) (FGMPO) [2018] EWCA Civ 1825.
James regularly appears in the Court of Protection accepting instructions from families, local authorities, ALR’s and the Official Solicitor. His family law background means he is instructed in cases involving young persons transferring from Local Authority children services to adult social care.
Additionally, he has developed a thriving International Family Law practice, regularly being instructed in cases involving international abduction.
Outside of his busy practice, James volunteers and supports charities which aim to deliver pro bono or publicly funded work to those who cannot afford legal fees. He is a member of Advocate, the Bar’s pro bono charity, and volunteers on the Court of Appeal Pro Bono Scheme (COAS).
Get in touch with James’ clerks at: familylawclerks@gclaw.co.uk
