James Pearce-smith > Chambers of Matthew White > Bristol, England > Barrister Profile
St John's Chambers Offices
St John's Chambers
101 VICTORIA STREET
BRISTOL
BS1 6PU
England
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James Pearce-smith
Work Department
Commercial, Construction & Engineering, Mediation, Professional Negligence, Real Estate
Career
Call: 2002
James, a former solicitor, is an experienced litigator specialising in commercial and property disputes. His practice includes company and partnership disputes, construction disputes and insolvency, and he is often instructed in complex disputes which span more than one of these disciplines. He has particular expertise in professional negligence claims. He also deals with traditional chancery work, such as disputes in relation to trusts and wills.
James has strong analytical and mathematical skills, enabling him to get to the heart of disputes quickly and effectively. His approach is to analyse cases thoroughly at the outset, to give clients a realistic appraisal of their chances of success and to help them adopt the most effective strategy.
James regularly appears in the High Court, in particular the Bristol Commercial Court. He has considerable experience of representing clients at trials in the High Court and the County Court, as well as acting for parties on interim applications, including urgent ex parte injunctions. He is often instructed in cases where other parties are represented by KCs.
Recently James has acted for Airbus in a major secret commission trial, for Dyson in two confidential information cases involving ex parte injunctions and search orders, for Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland and Nationwide Building Society in a large number of substantial professional negligence claims, and for a rail freight company in a substantial arbitration claim against Network Rail. James has also been instructed in many cases by SMEs and by private individuals.
Memberships
- Chancery Bar Association
Education
- MA (Cantab)
- Admitted as a Solicitor 1994
Lawyer Rankings
Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Agriculture
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 1James Pearce-Smith – St John’s Chambers ‘James is considered in his approach and gives pragmatic advice. He explains complex legal issues clearly and in a way that clients can understand. He is also a good advocate, calm under pressure with a pragmatic and sensible approach.’
St John’s Chambers is a ‘leading set’, which continues to ‘go from strength to strength’ and houses excellent barristers with a proven track record of handling inheritance disputes involving farmland estates, proprietary estoppel cases and farming partnership disputes. ‘Confident advocate and authoritative speaker’ Alex Troup KC successfully defended multiple partnership and estoppel claims against a high-value estate of a deceased farmer in Winter v Winter before the High Court. James Pearce-Smith, who garners praises for being ‘unflappable, always on top of the detail and turning the work round quickly’, recently represented a farm manager seeking a claim of £250,000 in unclaimed invoices in the case Jordan v Thorner. Oliver Wooding has ‘a strong advocacy’ and is defending proprietary estoppel claim Thomas v Atkins, defending a claim brought by the defendant’s brother, who seeks to set aside a form confirming he had no interest in the farm on the grounds of undue influence. Christopher Jones is described as ‘excellent on his feet in court’.
Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Commercial litigation
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 1Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Company and insolvency
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 1Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Professional negligence
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 1James Pearce-Smith – St John’s Chambers ‘James’ technical expertise is beyond measure, as is his ability to deal with complex issues. He leaves no stone unturned and is prepared for anything thrown at him.’
St John’s Chambers specialises in advising on professional negligence claims brought against a wide range of individuals, including architects, builders, solicitors, surveyors, auditors and accountants. John Dickinson has extensive expertise in handling claims emerging from commercial practices. James Pearce-Smith continues to act for both claimants and defendants in professional negligence matters, with a particular focus on lender-side claims. Joss Knight is instructed on behalf of insurers, claimants and defendants in disputes, mainly against solicitors, architects, and construction professionals.
Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Property and construction
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 2James Pearce-Smith – St John’s Chambers ‘James’ attention to detail on complex cases is second-to-none. His advocacy skills are excellent, particularly his ability to read the court and tailor his submissions accordingly.’