Gatehouse Chambers

Commercial Dispute Resolution, Civil Fraud, Company & Shareholder Disputes, Franchising, Insurance, Privilege, Employment & Executive Disputes, International, Insolvency & Restructuring

James’ practice encompasses the entire spectrum of commercial disputes, including commercial litigation and arbitration, civil fraud, shareholder disputes (including unfair prejudice and just & equitable winding up petitions), insurance coverage, and insolvency litigation.

James is recognised as a ‘Leading Junior’ in Commercial Litigation, Company, and The English Bar Offshore by the Legal 500 (2026) and as ‘Up and Coming’ in Commercial Dispute Resolution by Chambers UK (2026) and Chambers Global (2026).  He is described variously in those directories as a “fantastic junior” who is “exceptionally bright” and “quick to grasp the heart of a problem” and the “commercial and legal nuances”. He is “strong on case strategy” and “practical and efficient”.  As an advocate, James is specifically praised for finding “the perfect way to strongly assert his clients’ rights while retaining a balanced manner that is convincing to the court” and for being “calm in court but will push his points hard”.

As James’ recent work demonstrates, James regularly appears unled in high-value and hard-fought disputes, including against Silks, and is equally comfortable being led or working in larger counsel teams.

James’ recent work includes:

• APK Communications & 61 Ors v Vodafone Limited. James acted for the Claimants, led by David Lewis KC, in these substantial Commercial Court proceedings issued by 62 claimants in relation to the Commercial Agents Regulations 1993, exercises of contractual discretions, alleged breaches of good faith duties, and challenges to alleged contractual penalties. At the CMC, the Court approved a split trial with a direction for claimant-sampling: APK Communications & Ors v Vodafone Limited [2026] EWHC 811 (Comm).

• Borelli & Ors v Otaibi & Ors: James acts with Nigel Jones KC, Sarah McCann KC, Emily Betts, and Thomas Mitty for some of the Defendants in a substantial civil fraud claim proceeding in the Commercial Court and involving 51 parties, brought by the liquidators of four funds against their investment managers, investment advisors, directors, and other parties, related to the funds’ investment in complex financial structured products, real property, and art.

• Onecom Group & Ors v Eve Connect & Ors: Acting for Eve Connect and Mr Palmer in respect of a number of disputes arising out of an SPA for the sale of a telecom business between Mr Palmer and Onecom Group involving claims for (inter alia) hacking, unlawful means conspiracy, and breach of confidence (led by Paul Strelitz). In June 2026, James appeared as sole counsel at an application hearing against a Silk.

• Real Assets (RA) Global Opportunity Fund Limited (in liquidation) v Floreat Real Estate Limited [2026] EWHC 576 (Comm). James appeared at trial for the Defendant to this Part 8 claim turning on the proper interpretation of a Joint Venture Agreement. James appeared as lead counsel, leading Thomas Mitty, and appeared against a Silk.

• Nova Leipzig Sarl v Gravity Fitness Ltd: Counsel for the Claimant in a Commercial Court claim governed by German law. James was initially instructed as sole counsel (against a Silk) and later led by Stephen Robins KC from South Square. Successfully defeated the Defendant’s forum non conveniens jurisdiction challenge in May 2025: Nova Leipzig Sarl v Gravity Fitness Ltd [2025] EWHC 1262 (Comm).

• A v B: Sole counsel in an action seeking enforcement at common law of two judgments of the courts of Saudi Arabia (KSA) worth c.£20 million and bringing further claims, in which the Defendant alleges that multiple foreign judgments were procured by fraud.

• Sky UK Ltd and Mace Ltd v Riverstone Managing Agency Limited & Ors [2024] EWCA Civ 1567: James acted for one of the successful appellants in this ‘all risks’ insurance coverage dispute, succeeding on all issues across all parties’ appeals and cross-appeals. The decision is of particular significance in relation to (inter alia) the meaning of ‘damage’, cover for deterioration and development damage, and aggregation. James was led by Paul Reed KC and Ebony Alleyne. Permission to appeal to the Supreme Court was refused: see SC [2025] 4 WLUK 699.

• Sky UK Ltd & Mace Ltd v Riverstone Managing Agency & Ors[2023] EWHC 1207 (Comm): James acted for Mace in this five-week ‘all risks’ insurance coverage trial in the Commercial Court. James was led by Paul Reed KC and Ebony Alleyne.

• Bourlakova & Ors v Bourlakov & Ors: Advising on complex issues of privilege in the context of a $3 billion conspiracy claim. Instructed with Tamara Oppenheimer KC from Fountain Court.

• A v B: Acted for a founder and entrepreneur in the cryptocurrency industry bringing claims for declaratory relief and claims in fraudulent misrepresentation, deceit, unlawful means conspiracy, and breaches of good faith duties. Led by David Quest KC from 3 Verulam Buildings.

• Harbour v Thomas et al: Junior counsel to Mr Thomas in litigation considering the impact of the Supreme Court's PACCAR judgment on a litigation funding agreement. Led by Rupert D’Cruz KC of Littleton Chambers. James appeared as sole counsel at an interlocutory hearing.

• A v B: Sole counsel to the sellers under a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) in an earn-out dispute worth c.£5 million.

• A v B: Sole counsel in an unfair prejudice action, including: (i) successfully defending an application for summary judgment on O’Neill v Phillips grounds, (ii) successfully resisting an application for injunctive relief, and (iii) successfully defending various counts of alleged contempt (with an award of indemnity costs) at a three-day contempt trial, and defeated an attempted appeal to the Court of Appeal.

• A v B: Junior counsel (led by Nigel Jones KC) defending a c. £5 million claim under the Commercial Agents Regulations 1993.

• Christophi & Ors v RP Design & Construction Limited & Ors [2025] EWHC 1817 (Ch): Junior counsel for the Claimants in an oral contracts/trusts/civil fraud trial. Led by Paul Strelitz. James appeared as sole counsel at the CMC.

• Appeared as sole counsel at an interlocutory phase in unfair prejudice proceedings relating to alleged exclusion from management, loss of substratum (etc.): Kurvits & Taal v Zaum UK Ltd[2023] EWHC 3441 (Ch) and Kurvits & Taal v Zaum UK Ltd [2023] EWHC 3460 (Ch). James appeared unled. A Silk and a senior-junior respectively acted for the other parties.

James is also a contributor to various publications, namely Construction Insolvency: Security, Risk and Renewal in Construction Contracts, Construction All Risks Insurance, Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance (Sweet & Maxwell) and Insurance Broking Practice and the Law (Informa).

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 high-stakes commercial litigation.

• COMBAR (Commercial Bar Association)

• YIAG (Young International Arbitration Group)

• CFAAR (Crypto Fraud and Asset Recovery Network)

• INSOL International

• ThoughtLeaders4 (FIRE & Disputes)

• ConTrA (Contentious Trusts Association)

• Advocate Panel Member

• BA Jurisprudence (Law), St Hugh’s College, University of Oxford

• BPTC, University of Law, London