He also has a significant practice in subsidy control and EU State aid. James is consistently rated as one of Europe’s leading lawyers in this field. Who’s Who Legal 2023 recognised James as a Thought Leader in Competition – State Aid; one of only two such solicitors in the UK.
He was also voted as one of The Lawyer’s “Hot 100” in 2022, the top 100 lawyers in any field selected for excellence within and relevance to the legal profession in the UK.
Expertise
Experience
Representative matters
Anglo American on its acquisition of the Serpentina iron ore deposit from Vale and Vale’s acquisition of 15% shareholding in the enlarged Minas-Rio iron ore mine. its iron ore joint venture with Vale.
Paramount Global on its SkyShowtime OTT streaming joint venture with Comcast. Awarded ‘Competition & Regulatory Team of the Year’ at The Lawyer Awards, 2022.
Celanese on the global merger clearances for Nutrinova, a food ingredients joint venture with Mitsui.
British Gas on its judicial review against the UK Government’s subsidies to Bulb Energy.
Pro bono
Pro-bono advocate in The Bavarian Lager Company v European Commission C-28/08 before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice. This case was the first and seminal exploration of the relationship between data protection and transparency rights in the context of corporate lobbying of the European Commission.
The European Parliament, European Data Protection Supervisor and 3 Member States intervened in support of our client. The Council and UK intervened to support the European Commission.
Advising multiple NGOs and charities that receive UK public funding with respect to compliance with the UK’s Subsidy Control Act 2022.
Published Work
Speaking Engagements
Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations
Qualifications
Admissions
SRA England & Wales, 2003
Practising Certificate (England & Wales), 2007
Law Society of Ireland, 2016
Academic
Bachelor of Laws, University of Birmingham, 1999
Legal Practice Course, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University, 2000
Graduate Diploma in Law, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University, 2005
Graduate Diploma in Law, EU Competition Law, University of London, Kings College, 2006
Languages
