Expertise

James specialises in handling complex, high-value and often high-profile litigation relating to private wealth matters, trusts and succession in England and other leading trust jurisdictions. He also has considerable expertise in handling other contentious issues, especially in cases involving fraud and asset tracing, particularly where trusts are involved, as well as advising on trust issues arising out of divorce.

James’s team won the STEP Contentious Trusts and Estates Team of the Year (large firm) at the STEP Awards 2025 and the STEP Contentious Trusts and Estates Team of the Year (midsize firm) at their 2023 awards. In addition, the team won the UK Contentious Trusts and Estates Team of the Year award in 2024, 2021 and 2020 at Chambers High Net Worth Awards.

Experience

Jurisdictions in which James has experience include Bermuda, Cayman, Jersey, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Singapore, Hong Kong and the US.  His recent matters include:

• Representing one of the parties in what is considered to be the largest claim by value in Bermudian legal history, which went to trial for 19 weeks during 2021
• Acted for the successful party in Grand View v Wong, where the Privy Council gave helpful guidance regarding the proper exercise of trustees’ powers
• Advising a beneficiary in light of a judgment from the Guernsey Court of Appeal relating to the construction of a trust instrument
• Advising a number of discretionary beneficiaries of high-value Bermudian trusts on the validity of the appointment of trustees and protectors, corporate governance and other matters connected with the proposed restructuring of beneficial interests
• Advising a Cayman structure on substantial claims brought against it by the Libyan Investment Authority
• Acting for an Italian beneficiary of Jersey trusts involved in a contested Public Trustee v Cooper application in the High Court in England and Wales
• Advising the adult children of the principal beneficiary of very valuable trusts established in Gibraltar concerning a dispute as to beneficial interests.

Recognition

James has been ranked in Band 1 by Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) for nine years; he is also a member of the Legal 500 Hall of Fame for Contentious Trusts and Probate. He is also recognised as Top Recommended in the Spear’s 500 and is in the Private Client Global Elite.

In Chambers HNW 2026, testimonials include:

• “James Price is an exceptional lawyer. He is at top of his game. He shows his strength in everything he does, and he knows the law. He has fantastic judgment, makes great strategic calls, leads teams very well, and is easy to get on with.”
• “James is superb. It is hard not to praise him too much given how much high-quality work he does. He’s still so responsive. A really well-established, impressive guy. Brilliant with clients and so engaged, friendly, and reassuring. A really good lawyer, analytical and sensible.”
• “He is a great technician. He has seen a lot. He is extremely experienced. James runs the biggest cases. So, if you have a big, complex matter, you should have him in mind.”

With Legal 500 adding:

• “James Price is extremely knowledgeable and a real class act.”
• “James Price is top of his field. He is hard-working, an expert in this area, rolls up his sleeves and is a pleasure to work with.”
• “Standout partner James Price is a leader in the trust litigation field, and that recognition is well deserved. He is at the top of the field in experience and legal knowledge and has a fantastic ability to see what issues are at the heart of matters. Always a true gentleman to deal with.”
• “James Price is a very big figure in this world.”

Recent Reported Cases

• Salem & Anor v Salem & Ors [2024] EWHC 3311
• Representation of SG Kleinwort Hambros Trust Company (CI) Ltd [2023] JRC 054, 134 and 143/JCA088
• Grand View Private Trust Company and another v Wong and others [2022] UKPC 47
• In the matter of the XYZ Trusts [2022] SC (Bda) 10 Civ
• Wang v Grand View PTC et al [2021] CA (Bda) 6 Civ
• PTNZ v AS & Ors [2020] EWHC 3114 (Ch)
• In the matter of the K Trust [2020] GCA 537
• In the matter of GA, GB and GC Settlements [2019] SC (Bda) 38 Civ.

Career

James joined Stewarts in 2016 to establish and lead the firm’s contentious trusts and estates practice. Prior to this he trained at Farrer & Co where he became partner in 2005.

Publications, media and speaking engagements

In addition to providing comment in the media around trust and probate disputes, including in the Financial Times, STEP and Law360, James has been invited to speak at a number of events, including:

• The Private Client Global Elite Exchange in Switzerland and Bermuda (2026), presenting: What makes ‘good’ family litigation? and key cases shaping the private client landscape
• Transcontinental Trusts in Bermuda (2026), for the fifth-year running, where he discussed: The review of Re the X Trusts and other significant cases; and the role of protectors: implications for drafting trusts and protector’s powers, including whether a narrow or wide view applies.
• Trusts and Estates Litigation Forum at Gleneagles (2026), covering: Secrets, spies and stolen data: the art of “alternative” evidence
• Mourant: Jersey and Guernsey Trusts and Private Wealth Forum (2024) on recent important cases from both Jersey and overseas courts
• The invitation-only Cambridge Forums on International Wealth Disputes in Singapore and Madrid
• Trust and Estates Litigation Forum in Morocco (2022), as part of the panel: That’s for me to know and you to find out: privilege in cross-border litigation
• Private Client Global Elite Exchanges in Singapore, Switzerland and Bermuda
• James was (with Rachael Reynolds KC of Ogier) one of the original chairs of the ConTrA conferences held in Reykjavik, Athens and then Luton.

Accreditations and Memberships

• The Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists
• Commercial Fraud Lawyers’ Association.

Personal

James is married, has three children and two dogs.