Gatehouse Chambers

James is experienced in all manner of commercial disputes, most notably shareholder and company disputes, civil fraud, insolvency, and complex insurance claims. James is regularly instructed as sole counsel and in a counsel team across his specialisms.

Examples of James’ recent work include:

• Acting in a £100m+ insurance dispute in the Commercial Court (with Paul Reed KC and Ebony Alleyne). Trial in January-February 2023.
• Acting for the successful Claimant in a Commercial Court action to enforce a US judgment at common law. Obtained judgment for c.$82 million (USD) and stayed Defendant’s counterclaim on jurisdictional grounds. Initially instructed as sole counsel and subsequently with Simon Atrill KC of Fountain Court Chambers.
• Acting in a number of unfair prejudice actions under s.994 Companies Act 2006 and related interlocutory and injunctive matters (led and unled).
• Acting (with Tom Bell) in a representative action concerning allegations of breaches of fiduciary duties, dishonest assistance, and knowing receipt against a number of defendants.
• Advising the claimant in a high value commercial claim against a major bank arising out of the disposal of a property portfolio following a very substantial mortgage fraud. Advising with David Quest KC of 3 Verulam Buildings.
• Acting as sole counsel in Chancery Division proceedings concerning alleged ultra vires exercises of powers by a company and its directors in connection with the alleged wrongful appropriation of shares/takeover of a company.
• Acting as sole counsel in a number of fraud actions, including claims concerning alleged deceit and conspiracy and raising (among other things) issues of forgery.
• Acting in a £80 million contractual dispute arising out of the liquidation of public sector contractor Carillion (with Paul Reed KC and Sri Carmichael).

You can find further detail on James’ experience within each of the specialist area tabs on the side of this page.

Before coming to the Bar, James read Jurisprudence at the University of Oxford and gained experience at a leading litigation firm in the City, advising and representing clients in highly contested and high-value litigation.

In his spare time, James plays football and is learning to speak Hindi/Urdu.