PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
James has over 15 years of experience advising clients on all aspects of contentious and transactional construction law in multiple jurisdictions across the globe, with a particular focus on the Middle East region, where he was based for over a decade when a partner at his previous firm.
He has acted as trusted counsel over extended periods to various government entities, national oil companies, public bodies, developers, contractors, funders, and consultants, across an array of industry sectors, including: oil and gas, power and renewable energy, mining, roads and traffic infrastructure, healthcare, petrochemical, water, rail, commercial and residential property, public sector procurement, social housing, hotels, and sports.
James provides clients with the benefit of his expertise throughout all stages of a project lifecycle and has represented clients in relation to some of the largest and most complex disputes, through mediation, adjudication, expert determination, international arbitration, and litigation.
As well as having represented clients in relation to various multi-billion dollar disputes, James has advised on, drafted and negotiated bespoke front-end construction documentation for projects around the globe having a cumulative capital expenditure of tens of billions of dollars. He is also a frequent author of articles within industry publications, and speaker at industry events, on matters relating to construction disputes.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales, 2009
EDUCATION
Northumbria University LL.B. (Hons.) Exempting, 1st Class Honours, 2007
RECENT WORK HIGHLIGHTS
- Represented a Middle Eastern owner entity in an ICC arbitration against two international construction contractors concerning the design and construction of a USD 6 billion hospital in the state’s capital city, with the parties’ claims and counterclaims totaling over USD 2 billion, in addition to defending proceedings in the English High Court regarding challenges to awards.
- Represented Petronas on all EPC, EPCM, FEED, O&M and infrastructure procurement aspects in relation to the USD 25 billion RAPID petrochemical and refinery complex project in Johor province, Malaysia.
- Represented the National Oil Companies of various Gulf states on the drafting of their standard form onshore and offshore EPC, design build and construct only construction documentation, and consultant appointments.
- Represented a Middle Eastern state-owned railway company in an ICC arbitration against two international construction contractors on claims totaling USD 500 million relating to the design and construction of a Metro System in the capital city of the state.
- Represented a Middle Eastern owner entity against an international construction contractor concerning the design and construction of a USD 2 billion sporting facility in the state’s capital city.
- Undertook a peer review exercise for the developer of a multi-billion dollar Saudi Arabian giga-project during the drafting of its suite of standard form construction contracts and consultant appointments, and advised on its contractual dispute resolution strategy.
- Represented a Middle Eastern state-owned chemicals company in a pre-action advisory capacity and in an ICC arbitration against two international construction contractors for claims in excess of USD 50 million for defective works at a petro-chemical facility.
- Advised the operator of a public transportation system within a Middle Eastern state on multi-million dollar disputes arising in relation to payment adjustments from the assessment of performance against contractual key performance indicators.
- Represented a Saudi Arabian development company in relation to multi-million dollar claims for defective works arising out of a landmark mixed-use development and associated infrastructure.
- Represented a Government Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in both contentious and non-contentious matters related to the USD 5 billion King Abdullah Financial District Project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Represented a Middle Eastern contractor in DIAC arbitration proceedings for claims in excess of USD 100 million arising out of disputes concerning a joint venture agreement for the construction of a new highway network.
- Represented a Saudi Arabian development company in relation to multi-million dollar disputes arising from the construction of multiple high-rise towers in the holy city of Mecca, KSA.
- Represented a Middle Eastern state-owned energy company in an ICC arbitration against an American University relating to a multi-million dollar dispute arising from commercial arrangements between the two parties, and also representing the same client in associated mediation proceedings.
- Advised a Saudi Arabian contractor in a pre-action capacity in relation claims arising out the design and construction of the King Abdullah Financial District Project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Represented a litigation funder in relation to an ICC arbitration between two international contractors concerning claims of approximately USD 80 million under a subcontract agreement for the design and construction of certain packages at an airport in the Middle East region.
- Represented a Saudi Arabian mining company in relation to numerous disputes arising out of mining operations in the Kingdom.
