Sir James Eadie KC is one of the UK's leading advocates, with a practice spanning public and regulatory, commercial, EU and international law. 

The Lawyer's Litigation Tracker's analysis has found James to be the top-ranked barrister at the Bar since 2015, by volume of court appearances, undertaking twice the share of court work of any other ranked barristers. 

James was appointed First Treasury Counsel in January 2009, breaking the tradition of appointing Junior Counsel to this role. He had previously been Junior Counsel to the Crown, Common Law (1997-2008); alongside a private commercial and regulatory practice.

In the profession, he is called the ‘Treasury Devil’. As such, he is the KC to whom the Government turn first for their major pieces of advice and litigation.

He advises the Government across the entire range of Government activity – from terrorism to tax.  He has acted in much of the major litigation brought against the Government (frequently in the Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights).

He was named Human Rights and Public Law Silk of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2017; and again in 2021. He has been regularly named in The Times Law 100 listing the most influential lawyers in Britain.

James has been listed by both of the leading Legal Directories, Legal 500 and Chambers UK, as one of the Stars of the Bar and consistently in the first tier of Public and Administrative, and Human Rights, KCs. He is also currently ranked for his expertise in Immigration, Indirect Tax, Data Protection and EU law.

Recent comments include:

  • "Sir James is undoubtedly at the top of his game and is the go-to silk for the UK government. He is very impressive and commands the respect of the Supreme Court judges."- Legal 500, 2023
  • "He is phenomenal, both in terms of the volume of extraordinary cases he takes on and the quality of his advocacy. Undoubtedly a star, and everyone agrees." -Chambers UK, 2023

Previous comments include:

  • "James Eadie is exceptional. He can run the most difficult cases and technically is second to none"- Legal 500
  • "He is one of the finest of his generation" "His demeanour and presence in court are statesmanlike and very impressive.” - Chambers UK
  • "He is the best Supreme Court advocate with more experience before the court than anyone else at the Bar." “A tremendous silk… Simply phenomenal.”- Legal 500

Examples of recent cases in the Supreme Court:

  • The Gina Miller Brexit litigation: ie Article 50 at [2018] AC 61; and Prorogation at [2020] AC 373
  • R (Shamima Begum) v SSHD [2021] AC 765 
  • Central Bank of Venezuela v Maduro [2022] 2 WLR 167
  • McQuillan [2022] 2 WLR 49 
  • R (SC) v SSDWP [2022] AC 223 
  • R (Elan Cane) v SSHD [2022] 2 WLR 133 
  • R (AB) v SSJ  [2021] 3 WLR 494 
  • Sanambar v SSHD [2021] 1 WLR 3847
  • R (Fratila) v SSDWP [2022] PTSR 448 
  • Re Incorporation of UNCRC in Scotland Bill [2021] 1 WLR 5106 
  • R (Project for Registration of British citizens) v SSHD [2021] 1 WLR 3049 
  • El Gizouli v SSHD [2021] AC 937
  • KBR v SFO [2021] 2 WLR 335 
  • Villiers v Villiers [2021] AC 838 
  • Hemmati v SSHD [2021] AC 143 

Examples of recent cases in the Court of Appeal:

  • R (Good Law Project) v Minister for Cabinet Office [2022] EWCA Civ 21 
  • R (Counsel General for Wales) v SS for BEIS [2022] EWCA Civ 118 
  • R (Open Rights) v SSHD [2022] QB 166 
  • Aaron Banks v HMRC [2022] 1 WLR 825 
  • R (Huxtable) v SSJ [2022] 1 WLR 813 
  • R (Reprieve) v Prime Minister  [2022] 2 WLR 1 
  • Secretary of State for Justice v Local Authority [2021] 3 WLR 1425 
  • Privacy International v Foreign Secretary [2021] QB 1087
  • R (Dolan) v SS for Health [2021] 1 WLR 2326 
  • R (Delve) v HMT [2021] 3 All ER 115 
  • R (JCWI) v SSHD [2021] 1 WLR 1151 

Notable cases before European Court of Human Rights:

  • Big Brother Watch v UK
  • Greens & MT v the UK
  • Bankovic v UK
  • Al Skeini v UK
  • Ladele and Chaplin v the UK.
  • Max Mosley v UK
  • Hatton v UK
  • Smith and Grady v the UK
  • Roche v UK
  • Osman v UK
  • McKerr v UK
  • Chahal v UK
  • McCann v UK
  • MN v Belgium
  • Fayed v UK

Experience

Shortlist

Public & Regulatory

James is widely recognised as one of the leading public law advocates in practice at the English bar. As 'Treasury Devil' he leads of the Government in most of the key public law litigation, often in the Supreme Court.  

Cases

Grid view
List view
Shortlist

Civil Liberties & Human Rights

James is widely recognised as one of the leading public law and human rights advocates in practice at the English bar. As 'Treasury Devil' he leads of the Government in most of the key public law and civil liberties litigation, often in the Supreme Court.  

Cases

Grid view
List view
Shortlist

Environment

Sir James Eadie KC practices extensively in environmental law. Key highlight cases may be found below.

Cases

Grid view
List view
Shortlist

EU Law

Sir James Eadie KC has acted in over 100 cases for the Government before the European Court of Human Rights.

Key highlight cases may be found below. 

Cases

Grid view
List view
Shortlist

Data Protection, Freedom of Information & Privacy

Sir James Eadie KC is ranked in the current editions of both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 for his work in this area.

Key highlight cases may be found below.

Cases

Grid view
List view
Shortlist

Investigations & Inquiries

Sir James Eadie KC has been involved in a large number of Inquiries, including the notable examples found below.

Cases

Grid view
List view

Achievements

Appointments

  • Historic: Junior Counsel to the Crown, Common Law (“A” Panel) (1997-2008); First 
  • Current: Treasury Counsel (“Treasury Devil”) (2009-)

News

VAT registration number: 446932721

Barristers regulated by the Bar Standards Board

+44 (0)207 5831770

Clerks

Staff