James is an accredited mediator and a Member of the Civil Mediation Council. He spent over forty years in the construction industry working mainly as a Consulting Engineer with responsibility for the management of the design and construction of major projects both in this country and abroad. He was a Managing Partner of RT James and Partners, Consulting Civil and Structural Engineers, London. He acted as an Expert Witness in many construction disputes, giving evidence in the High Court, County Courts and the Technology and Construction Court. He frequently acted as a Construction Adjudicator, Expert Determiner and Party Wall Surveyor.