Keating Chambers

James Frampton specialises in construction, engineering, energy and procurement disputes. He is ranked for Construction, Professional Negligence and Public Procurement by Chambers and Partners and for Construction, Professional Negligence, International Arbitration (both at the London Bar and in the Middle East) by Legal 500: “Very bright, focuses on the key issues, always prepares comprehensively, very good advocate, great manner. He is a star junior.”

James’ recent instructions have included a particular focus on:

Building Safety Act 2022 and fire safety/cladding matters.

• James acted as Junior Counsel for Mulalley in the first fire-safety cladding case to be tried in the TCC since the Grenfell Tower (Martlet Homes Limited v Mulalley & Co Limited [2022] EWHC 1813 (TCC).
• James is currently instructed as Junior Counsel on TCC claims involving applications for Building Liability Orders and liability under section 149 of the Building Safety Act 2022 for cladding products.
• James is currently instructed on several claims for Remediation Orders and Remediation Contribution Orders in the First Tier Tribunal, as well as an application to challenge service charges demanded for remedial works.
• James is one of the editors of the Keating Chambers BSA Update.

Professional negligence claims against architects and other professionals.

• James’ current professional negligence cases also involve the added complexity of issues under the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978 and insolvency of the parties.

Adjudication enforcement.

• James regularly appears in the TCC bringing and resisting adjudication enforcement claims and related matters.
• James appeared unled in the Court of Appeal in 2023 in A&V Building Solutions v J & B Hopkins [2023] EWCA Civ 54 which is now the leading case on how Part 8 claims can be used in response to adjudicator’s decisions.

James has been appointed to the London B Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown, effective from 1 September 2025 for a five-year term. This appointment reflects James’ legal and advocacy expertise in construction and procurement matters. James was previously  appointed to the Attorney General’s C Panel from September 2022. James is currently instructed as Junior Counsel for the Cabinet Office on Module 5 (Procurement) of the Covid Inquiry.

International work

James is also regularly instructed as Junior Counsel on substantial international disputes, including projects in South Africa, Australia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ukraine and Qatar. James’ international arbitration practice has seen him recommended for construction by Who’s Who Legal and ranked as a Rising Star by the Legal 500 in the Middle East.

Pupil, Keating Chambers 2016; Tenant, Keating Chambers 2017

French (working knowledge)

BA in History, Durham University (First, 2011-2014); GDL, University of Law (Distinction; Contract, Tort, Criminal and Public Law prizes, 2014-2015); BPTC, University of Law (Outstanding; Written Advocacy Prize, 2015-2016).