James specialises in commercial disputes with a particular focus on commercial litigation, civil fraud, company/shareholder, construction, and insurance coverage disputes. He is frequently instructed in high-value and hard-fought commercial disputes both as sole counsel and with a leader.
James is recognised in the directories as a ‘Rising Star’ in both Commercial Litigation and Company, where he is recommended as a “fantastic junior” who is “exceptionally bright and quick to grasp the heart of a problem, with an understanding of the practical and legal realities that a company may face in the course of litigation” (L500, 2025).
He is also praised for his advocacy, which “finds the perfect way to strongly assert his clients' rights while retaining a balanced manner that is convincing to the court” (L500, 2025).
James’ recent work includes:
- 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. It followed a five-week trial in the Commercial Court concerning coverage claims worth c.£196 million: Sky UK Ltd and Mace Ltd v Riverstone Managing Agency Limited & Ors [2023] EWHC 1207 (Comm); [2024] Lloyd's Rep IR 225. James was led by Paul Reed KC and Ebony Alleyne on appeal and at trial.
- Nova Leipzig Sarl v Gravity Fitness Ltd [2025] EWHC 1262 (Comm): James acted for the successful Respondent/Claimant in defeating a challenge to the jurisdiction of the English Court in favour of the German Court on forum non conveniens grounds. James was led by Stephen Robins KC of South Square.
- Acting as sole counsel in various unfair prejudice and other shareholder disputes, including the successful defence of a two-day summary judgment application on O’Neill v Phillips grounds.
- Advising on complex issues of privilege in the context of a commercial/civil fraud dispute concerning assets of over $3 billion. Instructed with a silk from Fountain Court.
- Successfully defending various counts of alleged contempt (with an award of indemnity costs) as sole counsel at a three-day contempt trial.
- Acting in Commercial Court litigation concerning the enforceability of a litigation funding agreement. Instructed with a silk from Littleton Chambers.
- Appearing as sole counsel at an interlocutory phase in unfair prejudice proceedings relating to alleged exclusion from management, loss of substratum (etc.), alongside senior-junior counsel and a silk for the other parties: see Kurvits & Taal v Zaum UK Ltd [2023] EWHC 3441 (Ch) and Kurvits & Taal v Zaum UK Ltd [2023] EWHC 3460 (Ch).
- 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. See related adjournment application here: Wilmington Trust National Association v Su [2022] EWHC 1051 (Comm).
James is a contributor to Construction All Risks Insurance (Sweet & Maxwell), Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance (Sweet & Maxwell) and Insurance Broking Practice and the Law (Informa).
