James Netto
Partner
James is a Partner at The International Family Law Group LLP.
He specialises in all areas of children law, with particular expertise in international children matters.
James is a Solicitor Advocate, and regularly conducts his own advocacy in the Family Court and also in the High Court.
James is highly experienced in cases concerning the international movement of children. He is a specialist in international parental child abduction cases and is regularly instructed by the parents and children within the UK and abroad, as well as by the Central Authority.
In a series of firsts, James was involved in the first 1980 Hague Convention child abduction case between Japan and the UK, the first cases concerning the inherent jurisdiction and the 1996 Hague Convention to reach the UK Supreme Court, the first appeal case to concern the interpretation of Brussels II Revised enforcement provisions, and the first reported cases of children being returned to Algeria and to Sudan. He has also acted for clients in many high-profile and widely reported appeals, interventions and committals.
James is much in demand as a speaker at seminars and conferences both within the UK and abroad. He is one of just a handful of lawyers admitted to Bar of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, having appeared in what is thought to be the first international children case in that jurisdiction.
James is a Resolution Accredited Specialist in Child Abduction and in European and International Law.
James was shortlisted as Young Solicitor of the Year in 2017, and in 2018 he was ‘highly commended’ as Junior Solicitor of the Year at the Law Society Excellence Awards. His work has also been shortlisted in the 2020 Legal Week Innovation Awards, and the 2020 Family Law Awards. He is regularly ranked in both Chambers and Partners and in the Legal 500 for his work in international children matters.
James was named as one of the NextGen ePrivateClient Leaders List 2023.
He was also named as one of the Top 15 NextGen Family Lawyers – CityWealth Leaders List 2023.
James is fluent in Spanish and French, with a high level of German.
James’ work was praised in representing two teenage children within child abduction proceedings. In the final paragraph of his analysis and conclusions in the judgment of M (Children) (Abduction: Joinder of Children) [2021] EWHC 635 (Fam) – “Mr James Netto is a solicitor of great experience who specialises in international child abduction proceedings. I am confident that he will properly discharge his duties as guardian to the older children and conduct proceedings on their behalf in accordance with their interests. As I have said, I consider that it is in their best interests that he be appointed to fulfil that role.” High Court Judge – (January 2021).
- 'James has truly impressive knowledge and his intuition for international family law is superb.'
- 'He is the complete package for a solicitor: a first rate legal mind, clever strategist, thinks of unconventional but effective approaches and gives clients fantastic advice.'
- 'James is one of the best people I have ever met'
- 'He'll know when something isn't right or if there are steps missing in a process.'
- 'He helped me get through the hardest time and I am grateful forever.'
Chambers UK 2025 - 'James Netto is not just a lawyer; he is a lifeline who stood with us against overwhelming odds. His expertise, coupled with his compassionate and client-centred approach, made all the difference.'
- 'James Netto is one of a kind; professionalism combined with kindness.'
The Legal 500 UK 2025 - 'James Netto is a very committed lawyer, who is absolutely passionate about family law. He is not afraid to take on anything, and I think he will be a trailblazer of his generation.'
- 'He is a brilliant case strategist and a really creative legal thinker.'
- 'James is a real powerhouse of international and private law children work and an absolute go-to in the field.'
Chambers UK 2024 - 'James Netto's casual and friendly manner belies a sharp mind and a steely determination. James will be one of the leading lawyers in the field of child abduction as the years go by'.
The Legal 500 UK 2024 - 'James Netto advises on a wide spectrum of public and private international children matters, including leave to remove and abduction cases. He is highlighted for his expertise on multi-jurisdictional relocations and jurisdictional disputes'.
- 'He is an impressive advocate who is happy to go toe to toe with anybody. James is really knowledgeable on the law and combines it with charisma and ability.'
- 'He's very committed to his clients, knows his stuff and works really hard.'
- 'James is the full package - he knows international and family law inside and out and he has the emotional intelligence to navigate the most challenging and emotionally charged situations one can imagine.'
- 'James is a bright and intellectual lawyer who is really passionate and works hard for his clients. He is a good litigator with fantastic technical ability.'
- 'James is a very nice person who dealt with me with care, compassion, genuine understanding and - when appropriate - good humour!'
Chambers UK 2023 - 'James Netto is a star solicitor'.
- 'He has grown from an excellent junior, one of the faces of the Law Society's advertising campaign to being an established practitioner. He has excellent judgement and unparalleled flair in representing young children in complex disputes. James is a fighter and will not shy away from tacking the most difficult cases.'
The Legal 500 UK 2023 - 'He is a very good advocate who will not be outmatched or intimidated. He fights his client's corner and makes persuasive submissions'.
- 'He is an exceptional talent'.
Chambers UK 2022 - 'James Netto has the potential to be one of the stars of the future. His acquisition from Dawson Cornwell is a real boost to iFLG'
The Legal 500 UK 2022 - 'He's absolutely brilliant. He's clever, works hard and works on the case to an exceptionally high level. I have complete confidence in him.'
- 'He is a very high-class operator with a superb grasp of detail, tactical sense and efficiency.'
Chambers UK 2021 - ‘James Netto is an all-round astonishingly good lawyer.’
- ‘James Netto is an absolute star. He has flair, intelligence, wisdom and solid determination. There is no available avenue that he will not explore in the pursuit of the best result for his client.’
- ‘James Netto is a real star individual, far above his apparent level of seniority. He is entirely dependable and runs cases at the highest level.’
The Legal 500 UK 2021 - One source states that he is ‘top-notch’, adding: ‘His preparation is second to none, and he's really just excellent’.
Chambers UK 2020 - ‘James Netto is quite simply brilliant. James produces statements that are a dream, and is able to manage even the most difficult of clients. He is absolutely dependable and has amazing insight into international children matters.'
The Legal 500 UK 2020 - ‘A very skilful and effective advocate’ who, according to one source, ‘has one of the best legal minds I've come across.'
Chambers UK 2019 - ‘The diligent James Netto has a wide breadth of experience in child abduction.’
The Legal 500 UK 2019 - ‘He is very passionate. He fights awfully hard for his clients and knows far more than his years would suggest.’
Chambers UK 2018 - 'A rising star of child law, with wisdom beyond his years.'
Chambers UK 2017
- James Netto named as one of the NextGen eprivateclient Leaders List 2023
- James Netto named as one of the Top 15 NextGen Family Lawyers - CityWealth Leaders List 2023
- Awarded a 'Highly Commended' in the category of 'International Family Lawyer of the Year' LexisNexis UK Family Law Awards Nov 2022
- Awarded 'Family Lawyer of the Year - Partner' in the bronze category - Citywealth Future Leaders awards 2021
- Supervising lawyer at the University of Greenwich's Pro Bono Law Clinic
- Chair of Child Abduction Lawyers Association (CALA)
- Resolution Accredited Specialist in Child Abduction
- Admitted to the Bar of Akrotiri and Dhekelia
- Qualified Solicitor Advocate
- A Father v A Mother [2024] EWHC 1149 (Fam)
- ES v DC [2024] EWHC 968 (Fam)
- WB v VM [2024] EWHC 302 (Fam)
- Mother v Father (Re Child Abduction & Custody Act 1985 - Senior Courts Act 1981) [2023] EWHC 3555 (Fam)
- Re D (A Child) (Abduction: Child’s Objections: Representation of Child Party) [2023] EWCA Civ 1047
- Re A (Article 13(b): Mental Ill-health) [2023] EWHC 2082 (Fam)
- C v M [2023] EWHC 208 (Fam)
- C v M & Anor (No 1 Hague Abduction: Application for Re-Hearing) [2023] EWHC 1482 (Fam)
- ES v DS [2022] EWHC 3397 (Fam)
- Golan v. Saada, 596 U.S. ___ [2022] - Supreme Court of the United States
- Agarwal v Czech Republic - European Court of Human Rights - Application no. 44870/19 [2022]
- Re N (Abduction) [2022] EWHC 3146 (Fam)
- Re Q v R [2022] EWHC 2961 (Fam)
- Re S (A Child) (Costs) [2022] EWHC 2064 (26 September 2022)
- Re S (A Child) (Jurisdiction) [2022] EWHC 1720 (Fam) (4 July 2022)
- Re Z (No 2 Welfare [2021] EWHC 3840 (Fam)
- Re W and X and Y and Z [2021] EWHC 3840 (Fam)
- Children (Private Law: Covert Recordings: Adjournment of Final Hearing), Re [2021] EWFC B82 (02 November 2021)
- Re L (Return Order), Re [2021] EWHC 2737 (Fam) (13 October 2021)
- A and B (Rescission of Order Change of Circumstances) [2021] EWFC 76 (08 September 2021)
- F v M & Ors [2021] EWHC 553 (Fam) (11 March 2021)
- A (Child Abduction: Article 13b) [2021] EWCA Civ 328 (09 March 2021)
- AB v CD [2021] EWHC 375 (Fam) (25 February 2021)
- Re M (Children) (Abduction: Joinder of Children) [2021] EWHC 635 (Fam) (22 January 2021)
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