James is a Partner in the Property Litigation team.
Experienced in supporting clients on a wide variety of property related disputes, James is frequently instructed by both landlords and tenants of commercial premises in connection with the service of 1954 Act notices and proceedings (contested and uncontested), dilapidations, alterations, forfeiture, arrears recovery and break notices.
In addition, James also supports clients in relation to matters involving commercial and residential possession, easements, boundary disputes, breach of contract, misrepresentation, construction, and trusts of land. James' expertise also extends to wider dispute resolution matters arising out of contracts, company/shareholder disputes as well as professional negligence.
Clients include PLCs, property investors, developers, charities, pension funds, asset managers and SMEs in sectors including manufacturing and healthcare. He supports clients with the prosecution and defence of claims by way of Court proceedings and is well versed in all forms of alternative dispute resolution.
Examples of how James has supported clients include 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;
- The service of break notices in and out of the jurisdiction as well as associated advisory work on preconditions, compliance and the validity of notices;
- Securing possession orders against trespassers;
- The landlord of an industrial estate in defending a prescriptive rights claim, obtaining a favourable outcome at mediation;
- Defending and bringing injunctive proceedings in connection with interference with proprietary rights, including easements, restrictive covenants and trespass;
- A national developer, advising on option agreements as well as boundary and right of way issues and related settlement terms to secure the viability of the development;
- The landlord of a shopping centre in an opposed lease renewal on redevelopment grounds.