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Stephen James

Partner

Stephen James

Partner

“The construction lawyer, Stephen James, knows his stuff inside out. Very methodical and pragmatic in his working. Assimilates information very quickly and advises very well.”

The Legal 500

Stephen is partner in the construction team, advising on a broad range of disputes.

With over 20 years’ experience and ranked band 1 in Chambers and Partners 2023, Stephen is able to minimise legal risk in a way that is cost-effective and is frequently recognised as a leading lawyer by legal guides, including Chambers and Legal 500.

Stephen is Secretary of Constructing Excellence Berkshire.

Experience

Construction

If a problem arises on a construction project, Stephen can help you resolve it. His expertise covers a wide range of disputes from interim and final accounts to extensions of time, defects and professional negligence.

Clients include employers, developers, architects, contractors and specialist subcontractors.  Stephen’s caseload spans adjudication references, arbitration, Part 7 and 8 litigation claims, mediation and expert determination.

Insolvency

Stephen is experienced in working with insolvency practitioners in all forms of insolvency procedures and a very wide range of applications. He also acts for individuals in bankruptcies and voluntary arrangements, as well as defending directors’ disqualification proceedings and wrongful trading claims.

Injunctions

Stephen has obtained and defended many injunctions, including the freezing of assets, preventing unlawful picketing, enforcing restrictive covenants and search orders.

General advisory

Stephen’s wide experience allows him to offer external and in-house training to clients on many construction related issues, as well as risk avoidance, directors’ duties and product liability.

What our clients say

“Stephen James is extremely knowledgeable about construction, and consistently gives excellent and practical advice. He has a well-developed following of developer and contractor clients, who like his approachability.”

Legal 500 2024

“Stephen James continues to provide excellent legal support on construction disputes.”

Chambers 2024

“Stephen is tactically good. He is punchy when it comes to negotiations and has a great commercial outlook.”

Chambers 2024

“The quality of Stephen James’ advice is highly rated because he knows what is needed to get a result.”

Chambers 2024

Read, listen and watch our latest insights

art
  • 07 November 2017
  • Construction

An uncertain future for Smash & Grab adjudication

recent decision in the Technology and Construction Court has prompted the industry to once again reflect on the well-documented cases of ISG v Seevic and Harding v Paice, from which the phrase “Smash & Grab” was born.

art
  • 03 October 2017
  • Construction

Off-Site Goods and Materials: Legal Issues

There is no doubt that off-site manufacture is being embraced by the industry.

art
  • 03 October 2017
  • Construction

A victory for common sense – actual cost relevant to compensation event assessment

A defining principle of the NEC3 is that the parties should deal with issues as they arise and not save these up to the end. Hence the provision in the standard form contract allowing for forecast assessments of compensation events. However, this principle can get forgotten when the parties fail to comply with the contractual machinery and timeframes or the compensation events are disputed. A case from earlier this year in the Northern Ireland courts has looked at the question of whether actual costs are relevant to the assessment of compensation events: Northern Ireland Housing Executive…

art
  • 19 September 2017
  • Construction

Modern slavery in construction supply chains: does your business comply

‘Modern Slavery’ is a term which encapsulates slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking.

art
  • 05 September 2017
  • Construction

How to avoid construction payment disputes

Payment disputes continue to be one of the most common problems in the construction industry, and we have published numerous articles on the key court decisions that affect the interpretation of payment provisions

art
  • 05 September 2017
  • Construction

Payment in Construction Contracts – What’s new?

Payment provisions are an industry “hot topic” and the wave of litigation since the 2009 amendments to the Construction Act remains relevant. If you would like a reminder of the principles to follow when applying for or making payment, then see our previous articles here and here.