A leading junior barrister who has worked on high profile cases, including a terror attack and tram crash, has landed a top role with a campaign organisation.
James Byrne, from Deka Chambers in London, has been elected as the barrister representative for national not-for-profit campaign organisation the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
He is a personal injury barrister who represents mainly victims who have suffered catastrophic brain injuries. He has also acted in public interest group action cases, such as the Tunisia terror attack when 38 people, including 30 Britons, were killed by a gunman in the holiday resort of Sousse in 2015.
He represented claimants of the 2016 Croydon tram crash when seven people died and 61 were injured as a tram overturned. He is also advising a number of high-profile sports stars, including professional footballers, over injuries allegedly suffered due to heading footballs.
“I’m honoured to take up this role with APIL. It’s a fantastic opportunity to work with like-minded colleagues and to be part of a team that is passionate about promoting injury prevention, improving lives, and addressing misconceptions surrounding injured people,” he said.
“It’s the chance to be part of an influential organisation that is at the forefront of the personal injury sector. I’m looking forward to getting involved in APIL’s campaign work to promote justice for injured people,” he added.
As part of tackling misconceptions surrounding injured people, James is backing APIL’s Rebuilding Shattered Lives campaign, which gives victims a voice by telling their raw, real-life stories as they battle to recover.
“Fair compensation is vital to help people get their lives back on track after they have suffered terrible, often life changing, injuries through no fault of their own. Rebuilding Shattered Lives explains just how tough and overwhelming it is for people trying to recover from a serious injury,” he said.
James, who was called to the Bar in 2006, worked as a criminal barrister until joining Deka Chambers, in London, in 2012 when he switched to personal injury cases.
He has also worked as a volunteer community fundraiser for 3Pillars Project, a non-for-profit Community Interest Company, which provides sport-based mentoring to young people in prison and post-release. He also coaches a children’s mini-rugby team.