Born in 1943, James Edmiston considers himself a product of the British so-called working class - whatever that may mean. He was educated at Rugby and Brasenose College Oxford, where he had the utmost difficulty in finding time to read law. Apart from a thorough grounding in production engineering, he ran the world-renowned Sterling Armament Company for twelve years, with a degree of success that he claims was due to his various colleagues and loyal employees.
He is married with four children and is a considerable athlete with no political axe to grind. Is a solicitor-advocate (civil) and mediator who has represented many victims of miscarriage of justice.