Personal Injury
He has experience of substantial personal injury litigation. Between July 2005 and December 2007 he was heavily involved in successfully defending HM Prison Service in two sets of group litigation arising out a riot which took place in HMP Lincoln in 2002.
He has particular expertise in fatal claims and is regularly instructed by the insurers of clients whom he is representing in inquests or in criminal regulatory matters.
Between 2009 and 2016 he represented the family of a New Zealand man who disappeared having been last seen during a nightshift at his employer’s fridge recycling plant. He represented the family at a 3 week inquest (February 2011) which concluded with the jury finding that (although his body had never been found) he had died of asphyxiation in an industrial accident. He continued to represent the family in the subsequent civil claim which was settled in 2016.
Selected Cases
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- James Maxwell-Scott KC represents the Maritime and Coastguard Agency at The Cranston Inquiry
- James Maxwell-Scott KC and Katie Sage recently represented Serco Ltd in a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive
Events
Qualifications
- BCL, Christ Church, Oxford
- MA (First Class), Christ’s College, Cambridge
- Accredited Advocacy Trainer (Gray’s Inn), 2017
- Recorder of the Crown Court, 2018
- Bencher of Gray’s Inn, 2023
Memberships
Health & Safety Lawyers Association (Vice Chair)
Personal Injury Bar Association
Professional Negligence Bar Association
London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association
Administrative Law Bar Association
Recommendations
“James is measured and is very good at pitching his submissions exactly where they needed to be. Absolutely on top of the detail – well read, and very well prepared.”…”James has incredible attention to detail and an ability to quietly digest information and formulate a plan.”
Chambers & Partners, 224
‘A silk with great forensic skills and an analytical eye.’
Legal 500, 2024
‘He produces high-quality written advice and is able to quickly review and disseminate large amounts of information.‘
Legal 500, 2024
“He has a strategic overview of his cases and brings real gravitas to a matter.” “He is so eloquent and knows everything about a case. A very impressive individual.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“First-class. Understands the issues quickly and develops sound and principled arguments, which then develop into themes and key documents that reflect the approach and strategy of the client. His work on this case has been of the highest order and he has steered the team impeccably on such a high-stakes matter.”
Legal 500, 2022
“A very composed and impressive silk.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He is very professional, has good judgement and is very organised. He’s a bright lawyer and a real pleasure to work with.”; “The content of what he says in court is fantastic and his construction of arguments is brilliant. He’s very effective at what he does.”; “I have enormous respect for him, he’s very bright and his integrity shines through.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“Has excellent knowledge of the law, and works for high-profile clients in a lot of the important cases.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“Excellent, informed and very helpful barrister.”
Chambers & Partners, 2018
“An excellent trial tactician, who provides reasoned and committed advice”
Legal 500, 2017
“He’s fantastically bright, has a great manner with his clients and has an excellent legal head on him.”
Chambers & Partners, 2017
“A level-headed advocate, combining intellectual ability with a lack of stuffiness.”
Legal 500, 2016
