East Lancashire solicitor gains High Court rights

James Robbins from Pendle achieved the ‘Higher Rights of Audience’ after completing a set of professional exams and demonstrating a high level of specialist experience.

It means he can now act as a Solicitor-Advocate and represent clients in High Court proceedings, including insolvency cases. Only around 5% of practising solicitors in the UK have the right to represent clients in the High Court, something which is usually the preserve of barristers.

Based between Harrison Drury’s Preston and Clitheroe offices, James, who is also dual-qualified as an insolvency practitioner, regularly acts in court on behalf of a wide range of insolvency practitioners and other clients, many of which are from outside the UK.

James said: “Having the rights of audience in the High Court helps to bridge the gap between solicitors and barristers. Instruction before any court is usually carried out by a barrister but in some cases, and particularly routine applications within insolvency proceedings, clients can benefit from having their solicitor deal with the case, as well as saving costs.”

John Chesworth, executive chairman of Harrison Drury, said: “Having solicitors with such a high degree of skill and technical capability is key to offering our clients a professional, pro-active and rounded service. James is an incredibly talented and hard-working member of the team and I am delighted we’ve been able to support him to make it possible to reach such a high level.”

The Higher Rights of Audience are assessed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and were granted to James by BPP University.