James specialises in construction and engineering disputes in the Middle East. He has worked on construction projects in the Middle East throughout his career, and has been based in the region full-time since 2015.

James acts for contractors and employers on disputes relating to oil and gas projects, process plant, infrastructure, renewable energy, tunnelling, sub-sea cables and airport projects. He works on projects throughout the region, but with a particular focus on Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. He advises on disputes under Kuwaiti, Qatari and UAE law, as well as English law.

In Kuwait, James works closely with our Arabic speaking litigation team to represent construction clients in disputes in the local courts. Our team in Kuwait has rights of audience before all Kuwaiti courts and we are therefore able represent our clients without instructing local counsel. James is also experienced in arbitration, dispute adjudication boards, mediation and other forms of ADR.

James often advises construction clients during the execution of their projects. Working in a Project Counsel role on live projects, James supports clients with claims, correspondence, variation procedures and interim dispute process.

James is recommended by the independent directories that review the legal market. He is a ranked practitioner in Construction Dispute Resolution. Chambers Global 2022 says that James "is very responsive and diligent" and "his opinions are very helpful in understanding the strength of each claim and the arguments we seek to advance." Previous Chambers emphasises James "has a good reputation and good knowledge of construction-related projects in Kuwait" and "he is a good construction lawyer. He is very intellectual and is good at arbitration."