Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Dispute Resolution

James is a solicitor advocate and Partner in the firm's dispute resolution division in London.

James advises on a range of commercial disputes, with a focus on the energy, consumer products and IT sectors. He is recognised by Legal 500 UK as a Leading Individual for Projects, energy and natural resources: Oil and Gas, and described as "the go-to name on the team for contentious matters, with his experience including cross-border disputes related to major energy projects."

Within the energy sector, James has worked with clients on some of the most high profile cases to come before the English courts in recent years. His experience covers cross-border disputes in the context of major projects, drilling contracts, joint ventures and gas sales agreements, including challenges to the jurisdiction of the English courts and parallel proceedings in foreign courts. He has advised on claims arising out of projects in the UK, Norway, West Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

James has particularly strong experience of gas and LNG price review disputes under long-term sale and purchase agreements, and is a contributor to "Liquefied Natural Gas: The Law and Business of LNG".

He has also helped clients with substantial claims concerning fraudulent misrepresentation, negligence and breach of contract in relation to large IT projects, consumer products and logistics and communications technology.

He was a member of the team that won Litigation Team of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2010, as well as the Litigation and Regulatory Team of the Year at the Legal Week British Legal Awards 2010 and Dispute Resolution Team of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2011.

English

James qualified as a solicitor at Herbert Smith in 2000. In 2001 he was seconded to work in the London office of a major international oil company for nine months.