Experience

James’s relevant experience includes the following matters:

  • English Commercial Court proceedings in relation to an arbitration-related anti-suit injunction.
  • An ICC arbitration for a Latin American salmon fishery corporate.
  • Acting for the defendant, a London-based property development partnership, in High Court proceedings (Chancery division).
  • A LCIA arbitration for a respondent corporate, based in the Middle East.
  • A SCAI arbitration for a national government claimant against an Asian corporate in breach of a sales contract due to non-payment for services rendered.
  • A LCIA arbitration for a prominent City executive claimant against two former business partners.
  • A LCIA arbitration bought by a German oil and gas manufacturer, including advising in relation to related German and Romanian proceedings.
  • Risk-advisory work for a standalone investment fund, mandated to invest in infrastructure in emerging markets (primarily in the energy sector).
  • Risk-advisory work for a Nigerian engineering consultancy firm.
  • A professional negligence claim against an accountancy firm for its poor tax advice to a client during the complex re-structuring of its business.
  • A claim for Judicial Review against an HMRC decision regarding the landfill tax treatment of titanium dioxide reaction waste, as well as working on an associated tax appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.
  • A professional negligence claim on behalf of a client against professional advisers regarding a Funded Unapproved Retirement Benefits Scheme.

Expertise

James has worked for overseas and domestic corporates, individuals and national governments in arbitrations under the Rules of the LCIA, the SCC, the ICC, and the SCAI.

A portion of James’s work involves risk-advisory advice for key clients, looking to avoid or mitigate dispute risk.

As a trainee, he assisted parties bringing claims in the High Court, the First-tier Tribunal (Tax), the Administrative Court, and the Employment Tribunal.

Career

James studied History and Philosophy at the University of Glasgow and pursued postgraduate studies in Medieval History at the University of York. He completed the GDL and the LPC at the University of Law.

Prior to joining Stewarts, James worked in the Education sector (for a HE/FE performing arts institution) and for a boutique capital project fundraising consultancy.

 

Accreditations and memberships

James is a member of the London Very Young Arbitration Practitioners’ Group, and the LCIA’s Young International Arbitration Group

Personal

James plays the trombone, mostly in symphony orchestras. He also loves cinema, visual art, long-distance walking, and half marathons.

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