Chris James holds a BA-LLB from KZN University, and is an admitted Attorney, Notary, and Conveyancer, and practiced as such for forty years in Empangeni. He still consults to his old legal firm and serves on various investigating and disciplinary committees of the Legal Practice Council, having previously served as an elected councilor of the former KZN Law Society, and on the Ethics Committee of the Associated Law Societies of South Africa, now the Legal Practice Council.

Chris is an accredited commercial mediator and served as an arbitrator, mediator, and community dispute mediator for the Independent Mediation and Arbitration Service of South Africa, before its work was effectively taken over by the CCMA.  As such he served on the then Durban City Council, and Sugar Industry Bargaining Council panels.

He has always had a keen interest in environmental matters and served as Chairman of the Empangeni/Richards Bay Branch of WESSA and on the Zululand Liaison Committee of the then KZN Parks Board. He has also served on the boards of various schools.