About
James’ current assignments include acting on behalf of the liquidators of Greensill Ltd following its high profile collapse in March 2021 (including proceedings in the US Bankruptcy Court and in the ongoing UK litigation relating to an alleged $440m claim under the Insolvency Act), and acting on behalf of the Liquidators of a Lehman affiliate entity (including success at the Court of Appeal) in relation to a dispute over the allocation of a $540 million surplus in the Lehman Brothers estate determined by the ranking of subordinated noteholders’ statutory interest entitlements.
James is also one of the lead partners working on Charles Russell Speechlys’ appointment as the liquidator of Bahraini bank Awal Bank (following a 12 year administration in relation to which CRS was also the office holder), with balance sheet assets of approximately US$6 billion. Awal’s administration and subsequent liquidation has been recognised by the UK, Cayman Islands and New York (Southern District) courts.
James gives lectures and seminars to corporate clients and other professionals (including the R3 Group, the Insolvency Practitioner’s Association and SESCA) and is listed as in expert in insolvency in the UK Expert Directory. James is also a contributing author to 'UK Insolvency Client Strategies' (Aspatore Books). James is a member of the Insolvency Lawyers Association, the Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association, the R3 Group and is the firm’s representative to the Association of European Lawyers and ALFA International legal networks on insolvency and restructuring issues. He has been recognised as 'Corporate Recovery Lawyer at the Year' by Global Law Experts, 'Corporate Recovery Lawyer of the Year' (England) by Corporate International Magazine and included in Best Lawyers in the UK in the 'Insolvency & Restructuring Law' category.
James is admitted to practise in England and Wales.
Experience
- One of the lead partners in the administration of Awal Bank in Bahrain, which has in excess of $2 billion of creditor claims and ongoing litigation in numerous jurisdictions including the UK, Switzerland, United States, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the Cayman Islands
- Acted in relation to Stanford Bank in Antigua, on behalf of the former joint office holders
- Acted in relation to Bolton Wanderers Football Club
- Acted in relation to Harlequin Services (South East) Ltd, on behalf of the UK liquidators in relation to a multi-million pound failed investment scheme in the Caribbean
- Acted in relation to Barrowfen Properties Ltd, acting on behalf of administrators who achieved a successful rescue of the company and returned it to solvency
- Acted in relation to Performance Europe Ltd, acting on behalf of the liquidator in relation to a VAT carousel fraud and obtaining judgment in excess of $60m
