James Russell

Commercial litigation and arbitration

James is the Managing Partner of the firm. He has over 18 years experience of contentious commercial practice. He has particular experience of complex financial disputes involving company law issues and breaches of fiduciary duty (in particular involving solicitors, directors and accountants). He is also experienced in insolvency litigation, civil fraud and claims relating to failed investment schemes. He has an interest in professional regulation and jointly advised (together with partner Toby Starr) the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fair Business Banking in relation to proposed reforms to insolvency regulation.

James has appeared as advocate in the Commercial Court in London, including against KCs, and has led multi-million pound claims in the City and the Channel Islands. He has also appeared in the Business and Property Courts (Insolvency List) and successfully acted as the lead trial advocate in arbitral proceedings.

His current and recent cases include the largest claim brought against Visa and Mastercard in relation to unlawful interchange fees, a high profile FX hedging dispute between Goldman Sachs and one of the world's largest wine producers, a multi-million pound dispute with bondholders in relation to the acceleration of a €1.3 billion secured loan and the representation of shareholders in the high profile Core VCT liquidation in which claims for breach of duty are being pursued against the former managers and liquidators of a publicly listed venture capital trust

2001 – 2002: City LPC (Commendation) – The Oxford Institute of Legal Practice. 2000 – 2001: CPE (Commendation) – The College of Law, Guildford. 1996 – 2000: B.A. Spanish (First Class) – The University of Southampton.