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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
  • 10 February 2023
  • Construction

When is it too late to claim?

Two recent decisions, one concerning a claim for a very large sum of money and one for one very much smaller, give further guidance on how limitation periods affect claims for payment under a construction contract.

art
  • 01 February 2023
  • Construction

What to expect in construction in 2023

Recent years have brought a host of challenges for the construction industry but what we expect for 2023?

art
  • 05 August 2022
  • Construction

Claiming for the cost of replacing cladding   

Much attention and concern has focussed on the use of combustible cladding in high rise buildings since the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017 where a fire destroyed the 24-storey block of flats in North Kensington and 72 people died.

art
  • 13 June 2022
  • Construction

Can a pay less notice apply to two applications?  

The consequences of failing to serve a valid pay less notice can be severe.  In the recent case Advance JV v Enisca, this led to the contractor being liable to pay its subcontractor £2.7 million more than it considered was the proper entitlement. 

art
  • 10 May 2022
  • Construction

Building Safety Act receives Royal Assent

The long-anticipated Building Safety Act (BSA) has completed its passage through Parliament and received Royal Assent. The BSA, which is the culmination of reforms following the Grenfell fire tragedy, has both been described as ‘the biggest changes to building safety legislation’ and having ‘changed beyond all recognition’ from the Building Safety Bill first introduced. 

art
  • 02 March 2022
  • Construction

Claims for payment – when is it too late?

One of the first things you learn as a law student is that the standard limitation period for claims in contract is six years in the UK. But when do the six years start running?