Detailed Profiles
Learn more about our team’s extensive experience and specializations
James Liasis
Head of Criminal Department | Notable Cases
James Liasis is a Criminal Defence Law Solicitor who is the Supervisor of our Criminal Department. He has achieved Duty Solicitor status, Supervision status, as well as Higher Rights of Audience (right to advocate in the Crown Court)
He has attended a large amount of police stations including representing Defendants facing serious charges including Drug Conspiracies and Murder.
He also attends the Magistrates court regularly to act in criminal proceedings and to fulfil his Duty Solicitor requirements.
James now conducts and specialises, as a Solicitor, in the Crown Court, some of the most serious and large scale matters including Murder, Fraud, Drug Conspiracies, Serious Sexual Offences amongst others, country wide, and is continually growing his reputation in ensuring maximum effort and positive results in such cases. He has had large success in the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal.
James can take on work on a private or legally aided basis. He can and has accepted instructions from clients all over England and Wales. He has a support team of trainees, paralegals and police station representatives to ensure maximum productivity on all cases.
Whilst conducting the above, he has also amounted a diverse rapidly growing client base including professional clients, international clients and those in the local community, by ensuring maximum effort is given to all clients and the preparation of their case, no matter the size or complexity. You will find his style very approachable and friendly.
He can act in all Criminal Defence matters including Pre-Arrest, Police station, Magistrates and Crown Court representation as well as Confiscation, Cash Seizure, Restraint Orders and advice and assistance on Appeal Matters and Judicial Reviews.
He can represent those facing serious allegations brought by agencies including the CPS, NCA, SFO, FCA, RSPCA, local councils and the Trading Standards.
He works closely with many high level and ranked barristers including Kings Counsel each specialising in their own practice areas which can suit all client’s needs. He also has access to specialist professional experts to assist in the defence of a case including phone, cell-cite, computer and psychiatric experts as well as private investigators.
In his spare time James enjoys watching his beloved Arsenal where he has had a season ticket for over 20 years. He enjoys sports including tennis and boxing. He has also ran and completed 5 half marathons and 2 full marathons raising a substantial amount of money for charity.
Selected Court cases include:
- Murder – R v X (2019) – Northampton Crown Court – multi-handed murder with national press coverage. BBC news “Cordwainer House Death”
- Murder – R v Y (2020) – Central Criminal Court – Youth knife related murder described in national press as “Trojan-horse trap” (BBC news) Murder - Mental Health issues.
- Attempted Murder - R v J (ongoing) Isle of Wight Crown Court - case BBC news "Man charged with attempted murder and burglary"
- Manslaughter – R v A (2021) – BBC news describes “One punch prison killing” case within HMP Brinsdown. Sentence appealed via AG Reference, given the leniency of sentence as a result of representation.
- Appeal Against Conviction heard in front of Lord Chief Justice at the Court of Appeal. Appeal Successful and Conviction Quashed. Ground breaking case and one of national interest as regards the importance of ensuring that in every criminal trial care is taken so that false or inadmissible evidence does not become adduced in a trial either accidentally or negligently. This was also after successfully arguing leave after being refused initially. R v MB (2020) - Section 18 GBH with press coverage.
- Appeal Against Sentence – R v X (2020) Court of Appeal – Successfully reduced sentence in a Murder Conviction.
- Conspiracy to Defraud and Money Laundering R v P (ongoing) - Operation Reverse - High level money laundering for organised criminal network via numerous schemes including crypto currency. National Press Coverage BBC: "120 million pound crypto fraud"
- Conspiracy to Defraud – R v D (2019) – Blackfriars Crown Court – 10 million pound “diversion” fraud. Three month trial. Follow on trial from a Fraud trial earlier in the year with large press coverage Newham Recorder - “East Ham Gang member”
- Large Scale Immigration Fraud - R v D (2021) - Operation Lexes - Lead Defendant - Southwark Crown Court. Four month trial. Press coverage. Mail Online “The Bollywood migration con” – Home Secretary commented on case.
- Conspiracy to Defraud (2022) – R v A – Durham Crown Court. Operation Tuscan – Press Coverage -Northen Echo “Courier Fraud”
- 37 million pound Money Laundering - R v A (2016) - Central Criminal Court. Case collapsed after Defence representations regarding disclosure. Investigated by National Crime Agency.
- Conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry to UK – R v R (2022) – Newport (IOW) Crown Court – Smuggling illegal migrants from France to UK. National Crime Agency Investigation. BBC News “smuggling people into UK on yacht”
- Fraud/ Perverting the Court of Justice – R v R (2021) – Portsmouth Crown Court - – Large Press Coverage. Daily Mail - “Businessman Fraudster” / UK “Tinder Swindler” alleged to have deceived woman into handing over cash
- Conspiracy to Import Class A – R v L (2024) – Kingston Crown Court – Case involving the importation in excess of 200 kilo’s of Cocaine. Six-handed, eight week trial.
- Conspiracy to Supply Class A – R v S (2021) – Southwark Crown Court – Case involving “encro-chat” phone material. Large scale importation and dealing.
- Conspiracy to Supply Class A – R v O (2023) – Bristol Crown Court – County Lines Drugs case with multiple Defendants. BBC news “home delivery cocaine business”
- 8 handed Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs; -R v O (2025) - Leeds Crown Court.
- Importation Cannabis/Money Laundering – R v ML (2018) – Harrow Crown Court – Case dismissed after plea negotiations. Also argued separately to un- freeze client bank accounts successfully.
- Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs – labeled by BBC news as “Breaking Bad case”of Bristol in the press (2014) – Bristol Crown Court. Only Defendant to be acquitted after half time submissions.
- Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs 10 Kilos R v TH (2014) - Central Criminal Court - Lead Defendant. Islington Gazette “Hackney kingpin of Albanian cocaine smuggling gang”
- Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs R v JF (2015) - Lincoln Crown Court - Lead Defendant in case over 15 Defendants spread over 3 Trials. BBC News Lincolnshire - “drugs gang brought thousands of pounds worth of cocaine”
- Former high profile Doctor charged with historic rape allegations. - Rape - R v I (2024) – Maidstone Crown Court –Acquitted. Press coverage – Kent Online “Former GP spared jail”
- Attempted Rape Minors/ Sexual Assault Minor (2022) – R v C - Lewes Crown Court- Attempted rape/ sexual assault involving step-daughters.
- R v X (2025) Basildon Crown Court - Historic Rape with multiple victims involving alleged targeting whilst under employment of the Defendant. Large Press Coverage
- Rape of a minor R v PP – (2015) – Croydon Crown Court – Acquitted of Rape.
- R v P (2025) - Harrow Crown Court - 15 year old with learning difficulties alleged to have committed Rape on another minor. Sensitive and complex case
- Rape R v O (2023) – Croydon CC – Case involving a vulnerable victim at a care home. Acquitted.
- Sexual Assault involving Police Officer - R v JB (2013) Blackfriars Acquitted – Press Coverage “police support officer cleared of sexual assault” Daily Express
- R v H (ongoing) Isleworth Crown Court - Multiple complainant rape case including False Imprisoment and Serious Violence.
- R v E (2025) Bristol Crown Court - Represented police officer charged with Misconduct in Public Office. Exceptional Circumstances argued to secure Suspended Sentence. BBC news reported "Wilshere police officer handed suspended sentence"
- GBH section 18 x 2, Sexual Assault x 2, Offensive Weapon - R v M - (2022) – Southwark Crown Court – BBC - “Soho Hammer attack” in Central London. Prosecution argued for a “life order” – Successfully defended against. Nationwide Press Coverage.
- Conspiracy to Rob – R v R (2024) – Kingston Crown Court – Organized Crime Group targeting high end jewelry and watches in violent armed attacks across the Streets of London. Flying Squad investigation. Operation Swanhold. Acquitted in part.
- Section 18 GBH – R v HA(2018) – Case involving stabbing of two minors. Case dismissed on first day of trial after disclosure issues Defence put forward.
- Conspiracy to Supply Firearms - R v E (2024) -. Operation Hessmer where 52 arrests were made. Only Defendant acquitted at trial.
- R v D (ongoing) Guildford Crown Court - Represent 2 Defendants charged in second phase of 3.5million "car ringing" trial involving Conspiracy to Steal large amount of high value vehicles in Surrey area. Press Coverage
- Section 18 GBH (2019) – R v A – Snaresbrook Crown Court - Gang related stabbing with a shooting element. Youth matter
- Death by Dangerous Driving (2021) – R v A – Maidstone Crown Court – Represented footballer with a young victim in a tragic case with press coverage -Kent Online “found not guilty” - Acquitted.
- Conspiracy to Kidnap and Rob (2023) – R v H – Burnley Crown Court – Planned Kidnap and Robbery with press coverage - Lancashire Telegraph Prosecution offered no evidence after legal arguments once trial started
- Kidnap/Blackmail/False Imprisonment (2022) R v K- Snaresbrook Crown Court - Chinese male accused of offences in relation to a large debt owed to him. After representations pre-trial matter discontinued.
- Section 18 GBH/Violent Disorder (2024) R v D – 42 handed case involving the travelling community at England Boxing National Youth Championships. Press coverage -ITVX – “sentenced after violent disorder” Represented 3 defendants in this matter, negotiated non-custodial sentence.
- Rare case of Conspiracy to Commit Unlawful Burial R v RV (2013) - Isleworth Crown Court
- R v X (2023) - Represented at the police station a 14 year old boy with autism charged with terrorism offences. Through careful advice and representations, no further action taken
- R v X (ongoing) - Representing 16 year old boy arrested for terrorism offences including planning a mass shooting in London.