James is a Legal Director in the property litigation team in the Cambridge office.
James advises developers, investment funds, institutional owners, corporate occupiers and retailers on all aspects of commercial property disputes including: rights of light; development constraints; dilapidations; alienation; easements; remedies for tenant default; break options; the 1954 Act; rent review; forfeiture/possession proceedings; and covenant construction and enforcement.
James has consistently been ranked in Legal 500 as a Rising Star and Leading Associate for Property Litigation in London.
Recent work highlights
Acting and advising on rights of light and site clearance issues on a number of high profile office and mixed use developments in the City of London, Midtown and the West End.
Successfully acting as lead lawyer in the High Court for a property development and investment company in a high value profit share dispute with its development manager (Pavilion Property Trustees Ltd & Anor v Urban & Civic Projects Ltd [2018] EWHC 1759 (Ch)).
Acting as lead lawyer in all stages of a claim to recover overpayment of rent following the exercise of a break option. The Supreme Court’s decision in this case is one of the leading authorities on the law of implied terms and the apportionment of rent payable in advance (Marks and Spencer plc v BNP etc. ([2015] UKSC 72).
Experience & education
2018 – 2025 Senior Associate, DLA Piper UK LLP
2011 – 2017 Managing Associate, SJ Berwin/King & Wood Mallesons LLP
2004 – 2010 Associate, Eversheds