James Anderson focusses on indictable criminal trial work. He regularly appears in the Supreme Court and County Court in serious matters, including homicide, terrorism, fraud, drug and sexual offending. James is briefed to appear in the Court of Appeal, the Coroner’s Court and at disciplinary tribunals.
He has a particular interest in cases challenging unlawful police investigative techniques, searches (with or without warrant) and the use of excessive force. He enjoys interrogating expert medical evidence, including the causation of injury or death and the relevance of psychiatric disorders to criminal offending. James has acted in a number of cases engaging human rights defences for individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including those from remote First Nations’ communities and clients with intellectual disabilities or mental illness. He has acted for well intentioned social activists that have engaged in politically motivated demonstrations that attract the ire of police.
James commenced his trial practice prior to coming to the Victorian Bar. He previously worked as a trial lawyer at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (Darwin) and as an Associate Public Defender at Victoria Legal Aid. James began his legal career in 2004 as a litigation lawyer at Blake Dawson Waldron (now Ashurst). In 2012, James was accredited as a LIV Criminal Law Specialist. He holds an Indictable Crime Certificate from the Victorian Bar and is a member of the Victoria Legal Aid Preferred Trial Counsel List. He is a member of the Criminal Bar Association.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
