James Collins KC KC > Essex Court Chambers > London, England > Barrister Profile
Essex Court Chambers Offices
24 LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS
LONDON
WC2A 3EG
England
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James Collins KC KC
Position
Has a broad-based commercial practice. Recognised as clever, commercial and user-friendly, he has represented clients in numerous international arbitrations (in London, New York, Singapore and many other venues) subject to diverse procedural rules (including ICC, LCIA, SIAC, AAA and LMAA) and before the English Courts at all levels. Recent cases have included substantial trials and arbitrations (involving international investments, shareholder disputes, insurance, mergers, shipping and ship-building disputes, long-term supply contracts and commodities) as well as applications for injunctions and to enforce foreign judgments and arbitral awards. Areas of expertise include the following: arbitration law and practice, commercial litigation, international trade and investment, Bermuda form insurance disputes, conflicts of interest and confidentiality, shipping, ship-building and ship sale and purchase, conflict of laws.
Memberships
Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR); London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association.
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > Banking and finance (including consumer credit)
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 4James Collins KC – Essex Court Chambers ‘James is a compelling advocate, winning the ear of the tribunal by maintaining absolute credibility and through his understated charm. James does not descend into the theatrics often seen with other advocates, he is the real deal.’
London Bar > Crypto and blockchain assets
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2James Collins KC – Essex Court Chambers ‘James has market leading expertise in relation to crypto and blockchain assets.’
Essex Court Chambers provides members which are skilled in a large variety of crypto based services, with James Collins KC involved in a number of crypto and blockchain cases, including FTX Digital Markets, where he was instructed by the liquidators in the Bahamas of FTX as their legal expert in relation to digital assets. Daniel Oudkerk KC has expertise advising a range of clients from cryptocurrency traders, to technology companies, hedge funds and investment banks, as well as being involved in some of the developing areas of technology law including cryptocurrency-related arbitration claims. Alexander Riddiford and Wei Jian Chan are key juniors from the set.
London Bar > International arbitration: counsel
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 3James Collins KC –Essex Court Chambers ‘James can master a vast amount of factual material in a relatively short period of time. His cross examination is excellent. He is particularly strong on financial law.’
London Bar > Commercial litigation
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 6James Collins KC – Essex Court Chambers ‘Mellifluous in his delivery, strategic and hard working in his approach. The perfect all-rounder.’
London Bar > Fraud: civil
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 4James Collins KC –Essex Court Chambers ‘A silk with really excellent judgement who is willing to roll up his sleeves.’
Maintaining its reputation as a ‘leading set in civil fraud’, Essex Court Chambers handles significant fraud cases in England and Wales and internationally, appearing before the Commercial and Chancery Courts, at the appellate level, and in arbitration. In PrivatBank v Kolomoisky, James Willan KC, leading Christopher Lloyd, represents the commercial bank against its former shareholders, alleging fraudulent lending to companies controlled by the defendants. Meanwhile, Nathan Pillow KC, David Davies KC, and Anton Dudnikov KC are acting for the claimants in National Bank Trusts v Mints, a case against a Russian family accused of banking fraud. Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan and others, an international fraud litigation involving alleged large-scale bribery of the former Director General of the Kuwaiti social security fund, sees Anna Dilnot KC acting for the claimant; Joe Smouha KC, James Collins KC, and Felix Wardle representing the Man Group; and James Willan KC and Tim Akkouh KC acting for Muna Al Wazzan. David Peters KC and James Sheehan KC took silk in March 2024.