Our leadership
Learn more
James is experienced at handling complex and high-value international and domestic commercial litigation and arbitration matters, from the pre-action stage through to final merits hearings. He has extensive experience of alternative dispute resolution and mediation, and has achieved a number of favourable settlements for his clients. James also has a busy advisory practice, assisting clients in understanding the risks in their commercial relationships and business.
James has been noted as “very knowledgeable” and “a pleasure to work with” (Legal 500 UK 2025, Commercial Litigation: Premium).
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Acting for the majority shareholders in a technology company in respect of an unfair prejudice petition brought by a minority shareholder (Chancery Division, Companies Court).
Acting for the majority shareholders of a music record label in a joint venture dispute with a minority shareholder who alleged that they had been unfairly prejudiced.
Acting for a private equity company in a claim brought by a former shareholder regarding the conduct of a share valuation. The dispute concerned the question of whether the expert valuer had failed to follow their instructions and/or whether their report contained a manifest error.
Commercial and corporate disputes
Acting for the majority shareholders in a technology company in respect of an unfair prejudice petition brought by a minority shareholder (Chancery Division, Companies Court).
Acting for the majority shareholders of a music record label in a joint venture dispute with a minority shareholder who alleged that they had been unfairly prejudiced.
Acting for a private equity company in a claim brought by a former shareholder regarding the conduct of a share valuation. The dispute concerned the question of whether the expert valuer had failed to follow their instructions and/or whether their report contained a manifest error.
Acting for a large commodities company in relation to a claim for breach of contract concerning the alleged failure to pay a performance fee (Chancery Division).
Representing a large telecoms provider in a claim brought by a local authority in England for breach of contract relating to a failure to meet key performance indicators (Commercial Court).
Defending an international law firm in a claim brought against it by a former partner for breach of his exit agreement.
Defending a separate international law firm in a claim brought against it for breach of trust (Chancery Division).
Representing an international chemical company in a professional negligence claim brought against a patent advisor for failure to file a patent on time (Chancery Division).
Representing a high-net-worth individual in respect of a claim for breach of contract (London Mercantile Court).
Representing a health care company in respect of a breach of contract claim brought in relation to a failure to deliver medical gloves (Commercial Court).
International arbitration
Advising, as lead counsel, a FTSE 250 company on a Swiss Arbitration Centre arbitration, with a claim value in excess of £90 million. The arbitration was brought by an operator of food bars in relation to alleged breaches of contract.
Advising, as lead counsel, a food services company in a Swiss Arbitration Centre arbitration, with a claim value in excess of £100 million. The arbitration was brought by an operator of cafés and concerned the breach of a licence agreement.
Acting for a large energy company in an LCIA arbitration. The dispute concerned the ongoing operation of a joint venture in Ukraine following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and various alleged breaches under a shareholders’ agreement.
Acting for a financial services company in relation to a claim against two connected counterparties who failed to make payment for various bond purchases.
Advising an entertainment and media company in successfully defending a challenge under section 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
Construction disputes
Acting for an aerospace and defence company in an UNCITRAL arbitration in a claim brought by a head of state concerning the construction of a VVIP plane.
Acting for a financial services company in an LCIA arbitration regarding a dispute under a sale and purchase agreement concerning the construction of a windfarm in India.
Acting for an engineering services company in relation to a claim concerning defects in the installation of an air conditioning system in a hotel.
Advising a UK based building company on various insurance claims made in respect of building cladding defects.
Advising a Jersey based investment company on its contractual rights under an overage agreement relating to a major development on the South Bank, London.
Advisory
Providing contract advice to a consortium of banks regarding the release of funds held by a security agent.
Advising a major commodities company on the terms of an insurance agreement covering the risk of the non-payment of receivables.
Advising a major telecommunications company in relation to a contractual dispute with the Welsh government regarding the provision of broadband and network services.
Advising a leading global commodities provider on its rights of termination under a pre-financing agreement with a central Asian state-owned entity.
Providing advice to a private family office regarding the coverage provided under a legal costs insurance policy.
Providing advice to a multinational media company concerning choice of law provisions under an SPA.
Financial disputes
Acting for a large bank in a claim brought by an insurance company in relation to PPI mis-selling.
Representing a financial services company in a claim brought against it in relation to the alleged mis-selling of a financial product (Chancery Division).
Acting for a financial services company in relation to a claim against two connected counterparties who failed to make payment for various bond purchases.
Insurance advice and disputes
Acting for the former shareholders of a Jersey based corporate service provider in a claim against a larger insurance company in respect of a failure to provide an indemnity under a professional indemnity insurance policy(Commercial Court).
Advising a financial institution on the coverage provided by a financial bond indemnity policy to protect against losses arising from the failure of an investment vehicle to successfully secure alternative funding.
Providing advice to various financial institutions regarding the cover provided by trade credit insurance policies.
Recognitions
Ranked as an Associate to Watch in Chambers UK for Commercial and Corporate Litigation, 2027
Credentials
Education
Education
- Kings College, London, 2013, LL.B.
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- England and Wales
News
1 / 2
Insights
Blogs
1 / 3