James Austin-Smith graduated with an honours degree in International Politics in 1997. He completed the postgraduate law conversion course and was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Inner Temple in 1999. He practised at the Bar in London until 2004 when he was admitted in Cayman. He specialises in commercial litigation and dispute resolution. He is a former member of the Cayman Islands Human Rights Committee and is well established within the community. Effective 1 April 2014 James was appointed as a member until 1 January 2015, after which time he assumed the role of Chairman until 31 May 2019.