James Hawkins specialises in personal injury and travel law.  James is recognised by Legal 500 as a leading junior in personal injury, and is ranked by Chambers and Partners in travel: international personal injury.

In his personal injury practice, James represents both claimants and defendants, often in claims of substantial value and with complex medical causation issues. Recently, James has been involved in claims involving traumatic brain injuries and other serious physical injuries which have resulted in a need for significant treatment and care.

James regularly acts for defendants in package travel claims, and a significant part of his practice involves personal injury claims with a foreign element, including road traffic accidents which have occurred abroad, Athens and Montreal Convention claims and claims against foreign insurers.

James is experienced in all aspects of personal injury and travel litigation, including advising (generally, and with regard to expert evidence), interim hearings, joint settlement meetings/mediation and trials (both in the County Court and in the High Court).

Expertise

Person injury matters include:

  • Representing the Claimant in High Court proceedings following a catastrophic orthopaedic injury at work.
  • Road traffic accidents where Claimants have suffered life-changing injuries, including requiring amputations and suffering traumatic brain injuries.
  • Claims under the Highways Act 1980 – including legal issues as to the status of a highway.

Travel related matters include:

  • Kuoni Travel Limited, a case which concerns whether a travel operator is liable in contract / under the 1992 package travel regulations for a sexual assault that occurred when the claimant was on holiday in a hotel in Sri Lanka. This was the first time the Supreme Court had considered issues of liability in the context of a package holiday. Katherine Deal KC acted for the Appellant (the claimant at first instance) and Howard Stevens KC and James Hawkins acted for ABTA, which was granted permission to intervene given the importance of the decision to the travel industry.
  • Represented Defendant Tour Operators in trials, and ADR, arising out of various accidents and illnesses abroad including, recently, a claim involving the contraction of Legionnaires’ Disease, a claim involving a serious spinal injury suffered after a claimant dived into shallow water, and a claim arising out of a slip on a wet floor involving issues as to the applicability of, and compliance with, local technical standards.
  • Representing the Claimant, led by Howard Stevens KC, in High Court proceedings arising out of a road traffic accident in which the Claimant suffered a severe traumatic brain injury.  James acted as sole counsel at the trial of preliminary issues, including as to liability and the applicable law: Yordanov v. Vasilev and others [2024] EWHC 1496 (KB).

"James Hawkins is very, very good." "James was brilliant. He was measured and sensible." - Personal Injury

Chambers & Partners 2026

"James is an all-rounder, really experienced, and he has great expertise." "James has, over the years, provided useful, reassuring and considerate advice in writing, informally and in conference that has been greatly appreciated." - Travel: International Personal Injury

Chambers & Partners 2026

‘James has exceptional attention to detail. His wealth of knowledge ensures he is able to distil the legal issues and provide clear and comprehensive advice.’ - Personal Injury

Legal 500 2026

"He is a phenomenally bright and prepared advocate." | "James is a measured and skilled advocate who has a first-class knowledge of travel claims." - Travel: International Personal Injury - London (Bar)

Chambers & Partners 2025

‘James is an excellent advocate. He has an intellectual rigour combined with a meticulous approach to his papers which enables him to simplify and distill the key issues at the outset.’ - Personal Injury

Legal 500 2025

"“James is a superb advocate. He is adept at distilling very complex issues and providing clients with clear and concise advice.” “James is a very effective operator who gets judges on side.”" - Travel: International Personal Injury

Chambers & Partners 2024

‘James is an excellent barrister. His attention to detail is second-to-none.’ - Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud

Legal 500 2024

"James is very approachable and reassuring." "His work is thorough and of high calibre." "He is very precise and concise." -Travel: International Personal Injury - London (Bar)

Chambers and Partners 2023

‘James is a very thorough barrister with great attention to detail and patience with large matters. He is a great advocate in court.’ Ranked: Tier 3 - Travel Law - UK Bar

Legal 500 2023

"He is quick on his feet and sharp on his knowledge of the Package Travel Regulations. He's also extremely approachable." "His pleadings are very clear and concise and he's a very reassuring presence before clients." - Travel: International Personal Injury - London (Bar)

Chambers & Partners 2022

‘ Exceptional attention to detail and is extremely thorough. ’ Leading Junior - Travel Law

Legal 500 2022

"Very good both on his feet and on paper." - Travel: International Personal Injury

Chambers and Partners 2021

For Help or Advice…


Please contact us either by telephone: +44 (0)20 7415 7800 or email: clerks@3harecourt.com

 

  

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