James gained extensive experience of trusts and estates disputes during pupillage including offshore litigation and non-contentious matters. James has written on will variations for the leading international journal Trusts and Trustees.

James is familiar with trusts and estate practice, including:

• Applications for removal of trustees and executors, Beddoe applications and Benjamin orders, amongst other Part 64 procedures.
• Particular issues arising in respect of costs in trusts and estate litigation.
• Constructive and resulting trusts claims and tracing.
• 1975 Act claims.
• Rectification and rescission of trust instruments.
• TOLATA proceedings.

During pupillage, James assisted with:

• An application for the rendering of an account and subsequent distribution from an executor.
• A successful High Court trial challenging a will and lifetime transfers for undue influence and want of knowledge and approval.
• Advising on setting aside appointments, indemnities and powers of attorney for mistake and undue influence in a family trust context.
• Research addressing the operation of arbitration clauses in trusts disputes.
• Drafting Particulars of Claim to set aside lifetime transfers for undue influence.
• Research concerning changes to the proper law of trust administration, rectification of trusts for disabled persons and taxation of pension trusts.

James is familiar with the full range of Chambers’ work in real property and landlord and tenant matters, including TOLATA proceedings, enforcement, possession proceedings (including mortgage possession) and business tenancy renewals.

James’ recent instructions include:

• Defending mortgage possession proceedings with issues of a mortgagee in administration.
• Defending proceedings for a declaration and damages for infringement of an easement.
• Advising on injunctive relief to prevent a sale at an under value by an LPA receiver
• A 1954 Act application for renewal of a business tenancy.
• Defending a fast-track possession trial under the Housing Act 1985.
• Advising in relation to a dilapidations dispute concerning a business premises.
• An application for final charging orders over numerous properties and advice on a subsequent order for sale with consideration of service out of the jurisdiction.
• Obtaining a stay of execution of a possession order on an urgent application in the High Court.
• Advising on equitable accounting for interests in a marital home upon bankruptcy.

During Pupillage James has assisted with:

• The trial of a preliminary issue in a contested lease renewal under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
• A four-day trial with issues of proprietary estoppel and a lease/licence dispute over a houseboat.
• A two-day Land Tribunal trial for removal of a registered restriction involving considerations of illegality and the use of nominees.
• Advising in a claim resembling P&P and Dreamvar, with additional considerations of an intermediary party.

James accepts instructions across the full range of corporate insolvency and bankruptcy matters.

His recent instructions include:

• Advising on questions of unjust enrichment, tracing, knowing receipt and transactions at an undervalue in relation to an insolvency process involving multiple corporate entities.
• Appearing on applications under 235-237 of the Insolvency Act 1986 to require cooperation with an office holder.
• Advising on a wrongful trading claim with a potential value of £2 million.
• Numerous bankruptcy petitions appearing for both creditors and debtors, and associated applications.
• Advising on the implications of retention of title security in liquidation.
• An application for the appointment of an alternative first trustee in bankruptcy under The Administration of Insolvent Estates of Deceased Persons Order 1986.
• Advising trustees in bankruptcy as to equitable accounting for a property between former spouses.
• Advising on the novation of contractual liabilities in a pre-pack administration.
• Advising on the effect of bankruptcy upon a shareholder’s voting entitlements.
• Resisting applications for validation orders.
• Pursuing and opposing winding up petitions.

James’ recent instructions include:

• Appearing in a 4 week High Court trial concerning the misappropriation of assets and various issues of partnership law (led by Nigel Hood) (judgment awaited).
• Applications for final charging orders and third-party debt orders in the High Court in the context of corporate fraud and misappropriation for company assets.
• Preparing witness statements in a matter regarding fraudulent share sales, acquisitions and accounting.

During pupillage James has assisted with:

• An advice regarding the misselling of interest rate hedging products and liability for negligent misstatement.
• Assisting in skeleton preparation and advice concerning tracing under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. James has also gained an understanding of compensation and confiscation orders under POCA and the interaction with civil enforcement.
• An application for Norwich Pharmacal disclosure in a stock trading platform fraud.
• Assisting with applications for domestic and worldwide freezing injunctions.
• Conference advice regarding allegations of fraudulent forgery of a will signature.

James has recently advised on a complex family dispute involving issues of company decision making, directors’ powers and discretionary trust powers in family settlements.

James is also familiar with applications to extend the period of registering company charges.

During pupillage James assisted with:

• Advice on vexatious resolutions and meetings of directors.
• Drafting Particulars of Claim for breach of a joint venture investment agreement involving multiple corporate vehicles, unjust enrichment and constructive trust claims.
• Advising in relation to Cooperative and Community Benefit Societies and Industrial and Provident Societies.
• Drafting shareholder agreements for a settlement involving numerous family-owned corporate entities in multiple jurisdictions.
• Advice and research concerning dispositions at an undervalue and directors' duties in the Cayman Islands

James’ recent instructions include:

• Advising on resisting an application for pre-action disclosure in connection with a claim for misfeasance in public office.
• Defending proceedings and security for costs applications pursued against a company for breach of a construction contract.
• Drafting proceedings for breach of a deed of guarantee.

During pupillage James has assisted with:

• An advice regarding the misselling of interest rate hedging products and liability for negligent misstatement.
• Drafting a Defence resisting a claim for breach of a service contract.
• Settling pleadings in a claim under the Consumer Credit Act and Financial Services and Markets Act concerning regulated mortgage contracts.
• Drafting pleadings in a claim arising from a failed joint venture, involving considerations of unjust enrichment, constructive trusts and nominee companies.