James Wickes > RPC > London, England > Lawyer Profile

RPC
TOWER BRIDGE HOUSE
ST KATHARINE'S WAY
LONDON
E1W 1AA
England
James Wickes photo

Work Department

Financial risks

Position

Partner James Wickes is the Head of RPC’s Professional and Financial Risks team in London.

He advises insurers and reinsurers on complex coverage matters or disputes, especially those involving financial institutions, management liability/D&O, professional indemnity and crime / fidelity insurance.

He is a recognised expert in advising on transactional liability / M&A insurance, in particular on W&I, tax, and contingent liability insurance claims.

James has significant experience defending claims against directors and officers and a wide variety of financial institutions and financial services firms, including investment, asset, and fund managers, IFAs, wealth managers, currency exchanges, corporate services providers, tax advisers, collateral managers and nominated advisers.

Prior to joining RPC, James worked in-house in a global commodities trading firm in Hong Kong, which developed his knowledge and understanding of complex financial products, many of which have been the subject of claims in the financial lines market in recent times.

Memberships

British Insurance Law Association

City of London Law Society Social Mobility Forum

Lawyer Rankings

London > Insurance > Professional negligence

RPC houses a professional negligence team that is considered to be ‘one of the most experienced in the country’. With his extensive experience defending top law firms, Nick Bird heads the team that handles professional liability claims in the legal sector. Tim Bull regularly defends a range of professionals facing allegations of professional negligence, including lawyers, trustees, and insurance brokers. Heading the construction team, Alan Stone is skilled in advising on cases involving architects, engineers, and design and build contractors. Tom Green and Felicity Strong are further recommended members of the team with a focus on claims connected to construction professionals. Richard Breavington advises on matters arising out of cyber breaches, while James Wickes leads the professional and financial risks practice; he regularly handles claims against fund managers and investment advisors. Laura Stocks is also noted for her experience in acting for brokers and accountants. The team has been strengthened with the addition of Tim Shepherd, who joined from Mayer Brown International LLP in April 2024.

London > Insurance > Insurance and reinsurance litigation

(Leading partners)

James WickesRPC

The contentious insurance practice at RPC, led by Simon Laird, continues to act for notable insurers in high-profile financial lines, property and international risk cases, covering a wide range of issues including D&O, BBB, EPL and W&I insurance. The property market group is led by Victoria Sherratt, who advises on coverage disputes, particularly business interruption and fraud claims. The international risks team is led by Toby Savage and handles energy, aviation, marine, political risk and trade credit disputes. James Wickes is an expert in W&I claims and other financial lines matters, while Naomi Vary specialises in political risk and trade credit insurance claims. For casualty matters, Lucy Dyson is the go-to, and Ollie Knox is active in shareholder claim. The firm also bolstered its professional and financial risks practice with the additions of Tim Shepherd and Alys Jones from Mayer Brown International LLP in April 2024.