James is a leading barrister with over 20 years of experience in civil, criminal, and regulatory proceedings, as well as complex commercial disputes across multiple jurisdictions. He has defended governments, central banks, and some of the world’s leading corporations and financial institutions in cases often involving disputes exceeding US$1 billion.
James is a seasoned advocate and regularly appears before the High Court (including the Commercial Court, Companies Court, King’s Bench, and Chancery Divisions), appellate courts, and arbitral tribunals.
James frequently serves as counsel in international arbitration proceedings under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), and the Swiss Chambers’ Court of Arbitration.
James also focuses on white collar enforcement and internal investigations in connection with alleged bribery and corruption, money laundering, export control and sanctions violations. He has particular expertise in advising on cross-border matters and has conducted investigations for the World Bank. He represents clients across diverse sectors including financial services, private equity, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, telecoms and IT.
The Legal 500 UK, where James is noted as “one of the top litigators around,” quotes clients who say he is a "stand out partner” and is “very strategic whilst also getting involved in the details where necessary.” The publication further praises James as an “exceptionally skilled, first-class lawyer,” whose “mind works three times faster than anyone else, and he is extremely intelligent and creative.” In 2023, he was named a “Stand-Out Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters’ annual Stellar Performance Report.
Education
- Inns of Court School of Law, B.V.C.
- University College London, LL.B.
Admissions & Qualifications
- England & Wales
Memberships
Former Co-Chair, Employed Barristers’ Committee, The Bar Council of England and Wales
Treasurer, Bar Association of Commerce Finance and Industry (BACFI)
Master of the Bench, The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
Awards & Recognition
Legal500 UK: Commercial Litigation: Premium: Leading Partner, 2025
Legal500 UK: International Arbitration
Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers 2023
Matters
Select Representative Matters*
- Acted for a fund of hedge funds in connection with an internal investigation into the multibillion-dollar losses it sustained through the Madoff fraud and in connection with related civil proceedings. Representation in examinations conducted by the Madoff SIPA Trustee and by the Irish Financial Regulation Authority
- Representation of a global pharmaceutical company in connection with a €2 billion arbitration claim for fraud and breaches of warranty arising in connection with an M&A transaction, involving allegations of wrong-doing across over 10 European countries and in multiple languages
- Counsel to the Republic of Iraq and the Central Bank of Iraq in connection with a series of multibillion-dollar Commercial Court debt claims arising from alleged payment defaults under promissory notes and breach of related guarantees
- Representation of global oil major in ICSID proceedings relating to the alleged breach of an exploration and production agreement in connection with the Netherlands-Uganda bi-lateral investment treaty
- Counsel to an international construction company in connection with an investigation by the World Bank into alleged market collusion and corrupt practices in Bangladesh
*Aforementioned matters handled at prior firm