Bio
James is a Real Estate Disputes Partner.
Specialising in acting for landlords and tenants of commercial premises, James advises clients on a wide range of property-related disputes, and is particularly experienced in matters involving business lease renewals under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 – including contested and uncontested proceedings, dilapidations, alterations, forfeiture, arrears recovery, and the service and interpretation of break notices.
Working with a diverse client base spanning PLCs, property investors, developers, charities, pension funds, asset managers, SMEs, and commercial landlords and tenants across the manufacturing, healthcare, and property investment sectors, James supports across matters ranging from commercial and residential possession claims, easements, boundary disputes, and breach of contract to misrepresentation, construction issues, and trusts of land.
Beyond property litigation, James’ practice expands into wider dispute resolution, including contractual disputes, company and shareholder disputes and professional negligence claims. With experience of pursuing and defending claims through courts proceedings and alternative dispute resolution routes, he advises clients on balancing the strategic use of formal proceedings with achieving outcomes that align with clients’ wider commercial objectives.
Examples of James’ work include:
- Advising landlords and tenants on opposed and unopposed lease renewals.
- Advising on the enforcement of repairing obligations and dilapidations strategy.
- Supporting landlords in possession and arrears recovery matters.
- Advising on disputes arising from easements, access rights, and alleged interference with property interests.
- Acting for the Appellant in an appeal under The Party Wall etc. Act 1996, securing the set-aside of the award and an order for indemnity costs.
- Assisting the landlord of an industrial estate to defend a prescriptive rights claim, obtaining a favourable outcome at mediation.
- Defending and bringing injunctive proceedings involving interference with proprietary rights (including easements, restrictive covenants and trespass).
- Advising a national developer on option agreements, boundary and right of way issues, and related settlement terms to secure the viability of the development.