[1] James first practised his legal work around the South Wales circuit, but later switched his activities to his Chancery practice.

[9] He had a reputation as an eminent and shrewd judge, learned in the law, with a talent for concise but clear enunciation of principles.

In Tamplin v James he gave the decision concerning the availability of specific performance for a breach of contract induced by mistake.

In addition to sitting on the commission relating to Indian legal matters, James had a personal interest in India and its position in the Empire.

Prior to his appointment to the bench, he began writing a planned two-volume text on India, but did not complete it due to his judicial workload and ill-health.

His daughter, Mary Salis Schwabe, completed the editorial work on the first volume, which was published the year after James's death.

[1][5] Sir William Milbourne James, "The British in India" (London: MacMillan and Co., 1882); edited by Mary J. Salis Schwabe.