James Peacham

Associate, Eversheds Sutherland

James is an associate in Eversheds Sutherland's corporate crime and investigations team.

He is ranked as a ‘rising star’ in the Legal 500 which describes him as ‘an excellent performer’; ‘a hands-on practitioner who goes the extra mile for clients’ and ‘a first-rate associate - thorough, bright and empathetic’.

James is a specialist criminal litigator having worked as a defence lawyer for nine years. He has acted in matters ranging across the full spectrum of serious and organised crime, corruption, fraud and extradition. Many of his cases have attracted substantial media attention. James joined Eversheds Sutherland in September 2020 with a view to strengthening his expertise in the financial crime space.

Cases of note include:

Assisting in the representation of a director facing allegations of bribery of a public official and conspiring to make corrupt payments in excess of $1 million. Known as the SFO’s sixth ‘DPA’.
Assisting in the representation of an ex corporate banker facing allegations of insider dealing. Known as Operation Tabernula, the largest FCA investigation to date.
Acted on behalf of an individual facing extradition to Lithuania. The latest test case concerning breaches of assurances by the Judicial Authority and Article 3 of the ECHR.
Acted on behalf of an academic facing extradition to Greece. The case raised arguments of corruption and breaches of Article 3 of the ECHR.
Acted on behalf of a former senior tutor at an elite private educational institution facing multiple allegations of historical sexual abuse dating back to the 1980’s.
Acted on behalf of a theatre director facing multiple allegations of historical sexual abuse dating back to the 1970’s.
Advised a senior government official in respect of applications brought by the media concerning a family member’s criminal proceedings.