Profile
"...the first-choice silk in Wales by a long way, his popularity stems from the fact that he 'fights hard for his clients and never gives the case away'. Praised for his children and finance work, he is the toast of solicitors as 'he can smell blood at 100 yards'".
Chambers and Partners 2009
"Excellent preparation, a hands-on, proactive approach and great presentation in court make James Tillyard first choice for Welsh solicitors in big money cases, but he also undertakes briefs from well beyond the principality".
Chambers and Partners 2008
Appointed Head of Chambers in 2006, James Tillyard is widely respected for his particular expertise in public law Children Act cases and matrimonial finance, being frequently instructed on behalf of leading public figures from the worlds of sport, business, politics and entertainment.
He also has considerable experience of cross-examining children in child sex abuse cases.
The Chambers & Partners Guide to the Legal Profession 2007 singles him out as "...the leading Family Silk on the Wales and Chester Circuit. The excellent James Tillyard QC is one of the best advocates in Cardiff. He does his preparation thoroughly and knows his subject matter inside out. He was recommended especially for tough cases that require difficult cross-examination". The Legal 500 2007 praises him for his "...skilled and sensitive advocacy".
Fields of Work
Child Care
- Possible explanation of underlying metabolic disorder causing subdural haematoma and retinal hemorrhages
- Alleged paedophilia by Foster Carers, expert evidence on home education/brain disease/inconsistent parenting (epileptic child)
- Parents subject of care order went to Spain for birth of child. Consequent difficulties in enforcing order due to lack of birth certificate. Application to Foreign Consular Office
- Application to Court of Appeal during course of care proceedings-'oppressive' for 10 year old to give video evidence?
- Rejection of Grandmother as potential carer
- 'Fair trial'-Article 6 of ECHR; disclosure of
documents by local authority/proper assessment - Salt contamination-acting for Official Solicitor. 14-week old baby admitted to hospital, diagnosis confirmed by testing of baby food container. Several possible perpetrators.
- Shaken-baby syndrome. Brain damage to 16-week old baby. Several possible perpetrators-criminal trial
- Conflict of opinion between two leading child psychiatrists (one American) regarding cause of behaviourial problems-absence of consistent parenting by mother with low IQ (neglect/emotional harm), and unsafe inference of sexual abuse
- Care proceedings complicated by concurrent decision by police to charge both parents with murder of sibling 2 years prior
- Issue of possible induced or fabricated ongoing illnesses of baby with existing kidney problems
- Representing 16 year-old alleged to have sexually abused younger siblings
Ancillary Relief
Public Law
- Care Standards Tribunal (Claimant)
- JR-breach or Article 6 & 8 (minor with disability)
- JR-standard of proof-suspension from school
