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.

Stephen James

Partner

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

15 August 2019
Construction

Force majeure clauses and the “but for” test

A recent Court of Appeal decision in Classic Maritime Inc v Limbungan Makmur SDN BHD EWCA Civ 1102 has considered whether a party could rely on an exceptions clause (similar to a force majeure provision) to excuse non-performance in circumstances where it was not able and willing to provide cargoes for shipping even if the force majeure event had not occurred.

15 August 2019
Construction

Building a Safer Future: the government’s Consultation

Following Dame Judith Hackitt’s Final Report and the government’s Implementation Plan , this summer the government published a consultation on proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system, which closed at the end of July 2019.

12 August 2019
Construction

Setting up a construction business in the UK: Tips on payment

If you are setting up a construction business in the UK, then one of the most important areas to consider is how to ensure you will get paid for your works without delay. Here are our top tips for getting paid.

04 July 2019
Construction

How is technology affecting construction disputes?

Technology is affecting the way claims are made and dealt with in many different ways. It is making it easier not only to find out relevant information but also to present it to those who need it, whether that be lawyers, experts, commercial decision makers, or adjudicators/judges.

04 July 2019
Construction

Build UK’s 6 tips for construction contracts

Build UK recently published six recommendations to its members as to provisions which it says should not be included in construction contracts. In this article we look at what the recommendations are, why they have been made, and what impact (if any) they may have on negotiations.

09 May 2019
Construction

Adjudication procured by fraud – how does the court deal with that?

A good chunk of the TCC’s business concerns the enforcement of arbitration awards. It is well known that there are very limited circumstances in which it will refuse to do so. One such ground is where the adjudication award was procured by fraud and we reported last year on the unsuccessful attempt in Gosvenor v Aygun.

Contact Stephen

+44 118 960 4674 contact@clarkslegal.com