Barristers

James Malam

James Malam

Exchange Chambers, North West

Work Department

Commercial; Professional Negligence; Construction; Insurance

Position

James has a busy practice and extensive experience advising and representing multinational, national and small business in relation to commercial, construction, professional negligence and insurance disputes. He represents clients in arbitrations and substantial High Court trials and applications, against silks and juniors, and has appeared alone and led on numerous occasions in the Court of Appeal.

James is regularly recommended in a number of areas in both the main legal directories and frequently wins praise for his advocacy, which is described as “strong”, “strategic and poised” and “formidable”; his written work, which is described as “clear and robust”, “very well written” and “sensible”; and his general approach, which is described as “commercial and client-friendly”, “technically sound” and “effective, sensible, pragmatic and easy to deal with”.

James has appeared in a number of printed cases, which are described more fully in the specialism sub-pages to the left:

Elston v. King [2020] Pens. L.R. 16 (on appeal), [2018] B.P.I.R. 1281 (first instance);

Liddle v. Liddle [2019] B.P.I.R. 947 (on appeal), [2017] B.P.I.R. 1538 (first instance);

Re Mascal (Deceased) [2019] 1 P. & C.R. DG15;

Whaleys (Bradford) Ltd v. Bennett [2017] 6 Costs L.R. 1241;

Peaktone Ltd v. Joddrell  [2013] 1 W.L.R. 784, [2013] 1 All E.R. 13;

Parry v. Bartlett  [2012] B.C.C. 700;

Teasdale v. HSBC Bank PLC [2012] 3 Costs L.O. 285 (on appeal), [2010] 4 All E.R. 630 (first instance);

Carey v. HSBC Bank PLC  [2010] Bus. L.R. 1142

Career

Called 2002.

Memberships

Professional Negligence Bar Association TECBAR Chancery Bar Association Northern Circuit Commercial Bar Association

Education

Bar Vocational Course, Nottingham Law School, Very Competent, 2002 Lord Justice Holker Award, Gray’s Inn, 2001 LLB (Hons) Law, University of Sheffield, 2001 Plessington High School, Wirral, 1991-1998

Leisure

James enjoys reading, photography, cycling, swimming, food and drink and spending time with his family.

Mentions

Northern Circuit • Regional Bar

Commercial litigation

Leading junior2
James Malam – Exchange Chambers ‘James is clever and considered with a great understanding of civil litigation. He is very good to work with, as well as co-operative and constructive, pragmatic and efficient.’
Northern Circuit • Regional Bar

Professional negligence

Leading junior1
James Malam – Exchange Chambers 'James is clever and considered, with a great understanding of civil litigation and in particular professional negligence claims. He is very good to work with, co-operative and constructive, pragmatic and efficient, and his written work is clear and precise.'
Northern Circuit • Regional Bar

Property and construction

Leading junior1
James Malam – Exchange Chambers 'James has an eye for detail and has incredible knowledge of what is a complex and specialised area of the law in construction, as well as being adept at dealing with commercial disputes more generally. His written work is always very thorough, and on his feet, he is robust and skilled, both in cross-examination and submissions.'