Keating Chambers

James’ recent instructions have included a particular focus on:

Building Safety Act 2022 and fire safety/cladding matters.

• James acted as Junior Counsel for Mulalley in the first fire-safety cladding case to be tried in the TCC since the Grenfell Tower (Martlet Homes Limited v Mulalley & Co Limited [2022] EWHC 1813 (TCC).
• James is currently instructed as Junior Counsel on TCC claims involving applications for Building Liability Orders and liability under section 149 of the Building Safety Act 2022 for cladding products.
• James has also been instructed in relation to a claim for a Remediation Order in the First Tier Tribunal.

Professional negligence claims against architects and other professionals.

• James’ current professional negligence cases also involve the added complexity of issues under the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1979 and insolvency of the parties.

Adjudication enforcement.

• James regularly appears in the TCC bringing and resisting adjudication enforcement claims and related matters.
• James appeared unled in the Court of Appeal in 2023 in A&V Building Solutions v J & B Hopkins [2023] EWCA Civ 54 which is now the leading case on how Part 8 claims can be used in response to adjudicator’s decisions.

James’ expertise in construction and procurement matters has seen him appointed to the Attorney General’s C Panel. James is currently instructed as Junior Counsel for the Cabinet Office on Module 5 (Procurement) of the Covid Inquiry.

International work

James is also regularly instructed as Junior Counsel on substantial international disputes, including projects in South Africa, Australia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ukraine and Qatar. James’ international arbitration practice has seen him recommended for construction by Who’s Who Legal and ranked as a Rising Star by the Legal 500 in the Middle East.