James Goudkamp > Chambers of Gavin Kealey KC > London, England > Barrister Profile
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James Goudkamp
Work Department
Year of call 2014
Position
James practises in all areas of commercial law although he has a particular interest in professional negligence, property damage, civil fraud and insurance. He is widely acknowledged, both in England and internationally, as one of the leading scholars on the common law of torts.
James regularly appears in the Commercial Court in high-value complex cases. Recent matters in which he has been instructed have raised issues concerning the economic torts, jurisdiction and the conflict of laws, freezing orders, civil contempt and disclosure. In 2021, he was a member of a Counsel team that appeared at a lengthy civil fraud trial in which his client obtained a judgment for the equivalent of around US$40m.
James has a growing appellate practice. He has appeared in the Supreme Court (in an appeal regarding the defence of illegality), the Privy Council (in an appeal concerning joint bank accounts) and the Court of Appeal (in appeals regarding freezing orders, passport orders, civil contempt and the defence of illegality).
James also has experience in arbitration (Bermuda form and LMAA) having been instructed in several substantial insurance and shipping disputes.
James has been retained as an expert witness in tort cases. His practice includes a significant advisory element.
Career
James combines his busy practice at the Bar with work as an academic. He is Professor of the Law of Obligations at the University of Oxford and is the author of more than 125 publications. His work is regularly cited by the courts in several jurisdictions.
Languages
Brazilian Portuguese (Intermediate).
Memberships
James is an elected member of the American Law Institute. He is also a member of COMBAR.
Education
James’s qualifications are at the highest level. He was awarded the University Medal for placing first in his cohort in his undergraduate studies in law, which he completed in Australia. James’s postgraduate degrees, for which he read at the University of Oxford (Magdalen College), culminated in a doctorate.
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > Aviation and Travel
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 4James Goudkamp – 7 King’s Bench Walk ‘James has forensic attention to detail and is always calm in the face of pressure and deadlines. A great team player and a pleasure to work alongside.’
Noted for being ‘very strong on insurance work,’ 7 King’s Bench Walk‘s members are frequently tasked with the defence of claims made by aviation sector policyholders; head of chambers Gavin Kealey KC is well-versed on this front, leading for AIG in defence of AerCap’s $5bn all risk claims pertaining to aircraft re-registered in Russia. Andrew Wales KC is also involved in this matter, in addition to representing several other insurers facing all risk claims in the wake of Russian aircraft seizures. Emma Hilliard fuses her insurer-side practice with leasing disputes and denied-boarding work and issues arising under the Montreal Convention. James Goudkamp is instructed by a leading reinsurer in relation to a number of lessor claims arising out of the Russian claims, with Frederick Alliott acting for lessors, both in relation to insurance claims for aircraft detained in Russia and other leasing matters, including non-payment of rent and aircraft condition issues.
London Bar > Professional negligence
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 3London Bar > Fraud: civil
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 4James Goudkamp – 7 King’s Bench Walk ‘James is very responsive and user friendly.’