Professional practice

2026 C&P James CollinsLeading SIlk 2026

The “clever and commercial” James Collins KC is “a great advocate and a great tactician”. He is instructed by UK and international clients to handle a wide range of commercial disputes, with a particular emphasis on commercial contracts, financial services, fraud, insurance, international trade, joint-ventures and shareholder and share purchase disputes. Most of these disputes are substantial and complex; many are multi-jurisdictional and involve foreign law.

James appears regularly as lead counsel in the High Court and appellate courts of England and Wales, and in the Commercial Court and Court of Appeal in the BVI. He also acts as lead counsel, co-counsel (with foreign lawyers) or arbitrator in arbitrations around the World, including in London, Paris, New York, Singapore and Dubai.

James advises and acts at all stages of the dispute resolution process, from strategy development, through pre-action and interlocutory applications (including Freezing Orders, anti- suit injunctions; protection of confidential information, restraint of conflicts and jurisdiction challenges), to trials and final hearings, appellate and review hearings, and enforcement of judgments and awards. Professional and lay clients have consistently praised James as being able to “map a course to the objective” and “excellent at anticipating how a case will unfold and positioning you for a great outcome”.

 

What others say

Legal 500, UK Bar 2026, Banking and Finance:

“James is at the top of his game. He is a silky-smooth advocate who outclasses his opponents with his calm but commanding style.”

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2026, Commercial Dispute Resolution:

“James takes complex issues and presents them in a clear, concise way, which really puts the point across forcefully.”

“very insightful”

“a very smooth advocate who’s got the ability to appeal to the court”

“has the ability to crunch through a vast amount of financial documents”

“a stylish advocate who is very good at building rapport with the court”

 Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2026, International Arbitration:

“A brilliant strategist and cross-examiner, and a delight to work with.” 

“A creative thinker and an excellent cross-examiner.”

“James is fantastic you work with. He is a good advocate and knows the law and is user-friendly, very approachable, would absolutely recommend for arbitration.”

Legal 500, UK Bar 2026, International arbitration: counsel:

“Quality at every level. James is a tough and compelling advocate who fights hard.”

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2026, Offshore:

“James Collins is a real pleasure to work with and is a really impressive advocate, he is someone who oozes credibility”

“James Collins KC is fast becoming a silk of choice for offshore matters in such jurisdictions as the Cayman Islands and BVI. He is particularly knowledgeable on litigation related to winding up proceedings. He is adept at handling matters at first instance as well as at the appeal stage.

Legal 500 UK Bar 2025, Banking & Finance:

“James is a compelling advocate, winning the ear of the tribunal by maintaining absolute credibility and through his understated charm. James does not descend into the theatrics often seen with other advocates, he is the real deal.”

Legal 500 UK Bar 2025, Commercial Litigation:“Mellifluous in his delivery, strategic and hard working in his approach. The perfect all-rounder.” 

Legal 500 UK Bar 2025, Cryptoassets:“James has market leading expertise in relation to crypto and blockchain assets.” 

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2025, Commercial Dispute Resolution:

“He really gets into a matter and is practical in everything he does.” 

“James has a lovely manner with the court and a nice conversational style that goes down well.”

“Accessible and approachable, with great judgement.” 

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2025, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance:

“James Collins is a very effective operator”

“He’s an excellent advocate and highly commercial”

“James is super smart and good to work with” 

Legal 500 UK Bar 2024, Banking & Finance:

“James is without doubt a top choice of leading counsel. He is incredibly hard-working, strategically and tactically astute, and a compelling advocate.”

 Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2024, Commercial Dispute Resolution:

“James Collins is a very good advocate, who is very clever”

“good on any matters involving numbers”

“James Collins is very calm and very cool. He masters the papers and his advocacy is understated in a very effective way.”

“James is tactically brilliant and explains matters very simply but with a lot of force”

Examples of recent cases

The Public Institution for Social Security v. Al Rajaan & Others (ongoing). James acts for various Man Group defendants in this year-long bribery trial.

Banco Sabadell SA v, Cerberus Global [2024] EWHC 3022 (Comm). James acted as lead counsel for the claimant in a dispute with guarantors about sums due under three investment agreements governed by Spanish law. In December 2024 the Court granted judgment in the sum of more than €400m. In February 2025 the CA refused permission to appeal.

Credit Suisse London Nominees v. LV II Investment Management Ltd (2024). James acted as lead counsel for claimant seeking to wind up a judgment debtor. The case involved (failed) applications to the Cayman Grand Court (FSD) and, twice, the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal, seeking to stay, first, the judgment and then the winding up.

Chia Hsing Wang v. LV II Investment Management Ltd (2023 and 2024). James acted as lead counsel for the claimant in a successful application to the Cayman Grand Court (FSD) for a declaration that he was not personally liable for the award debts of a company of which he was ultimate beneficial owner.

Chia Hsing Wang v. Real Estate Global Opportunity Fund (2023 and 2024). James acted as lead counsel for the claimant in a successful application to join proceedings in the BVI (replacing the existing claimant) and appoint provisional liquidators over a BVI Fund. James also acted for the claimant as (successful) respondent to the Easter Caribbean Court of Appeal.

Credit Suisse London Nominees v. Principal Investing Fund & Others (2023). James acted as counsel for the claimant seeking to wind up three Cayman Funds on grounds that was just and equitable to do so.

Advanced Multi-Technology v. Uniserve [2022] EWHC 264 (Ch). James is lead counsel for the defendant to a £35 million claim relating to the supply of Covid-19 PPE. In February 2022 the Court dismissed the claimant’s application for summary judgment (save in relation to one assigned debt of $300k).

KLS v. Sri Lanka (2021-2022). ICSID. James acted for Sri Lanka in this BIT arbitration, defending a $100 million claim in relation to a wind project in the Jafna Peninsula. The seat of the arbitration was in Singapore

Lenkor Energy Trading v. Puri [2021] EWCA Civ 770. James is lead counsel for a claimant seeking to enforce a Dubai judgment for about £35 million. The defendant resisted enforcement on the basis that the Dubai judgment was tainted by illegality in an underlying commodities contract. In 2021, the Court of Appeal dismissed the defendant’s appeal. This was the first appellate case of the modern era to consider the application of the illegality doctrine in this context. The defendant has applied for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Manek v. IIFL Wealth and others, [2021] EWCA Civ 264 and [2021] EWCA Civ 625. James acts as lead counsel for two defendants to this £30 million fraud claim. In 2021, jurisdiction issues were resolved in two hearings before, and two judgments of, the Court of Appeal. The first of these judgments clarifies the scope of the tort gateway.

James Kemball v. K-Line [2021] EWCA Civ 33. James acted as lead counsel for the second defendant in this £36 million tort claim. The Court of Appeal struck out the claim, providing important guidance as to the scope of the economic tort of inducing breach of contract.

US Homebuilder v. Bermuda Insurers (2021). Bermuda Form. James acted for a U.S. homebuilder on its claims against two Bermuda-based insurers to recover part of an approximately $230 million loss suffered as a result of water intrusion claims. The substantive law was the law of New York.

Wang v. Darby [2021] EWHC 3054 (Comm). James acted as lead counsel for the defendant in this cryptocurrency fraud claim. In November 2021, the Court struck out the proprietary claims.

PCP Capital Parnters v. Barclays Bank PCL [2020] EWHC 1393 (Comm) [2021] EWHC 307 (Comm) [2021] EWHC 1852 (Comm). James acted for PCP, which sued Barclays for fraud in relation to its 2008 capital raise. The claim was for about £600m. In [2020] EWHC 1393 (Comm) the Court clarified how the doctrine of waiver operates when a party is claiming legal advice privilege and ordered Barclays to produce documents that it had been withholding on that basis. Following a 10 week trial, in [2021] EWHC 307 (Comm) the Court held that a senior executive of Barclays had made fraudulent representations to PCP in the course of the capital raise. However, the claim failed on causation. On that point, it provided guidance as to the application of the “loss of chance” principle.

Sotheby’s v. Mark Weiss Ltd [2020] EWCA Civ 1570. James acted as lead counsel for the appellant in this dispute about liability to Sotheby’s, following Sotheby’s decision to refund the purchaser of a painting that was said to be Frans Hals.

Otello Corp ASA v. Moore Freres and Co LLC [2020] EWHC 3261 (Ch). James acted as lead counsel for a minority shareholder (Otello) in a claim against the majority shareholder (Moore  Freres) arising from the blocked sale of the minority interest to a third party. An injunction was granted following an expedited trial. When that failed to secure the sale to the third party, a second trial resulted in an order that Moore Freres buy Otello’s shares for $48 million and a loan note for $5 million.

Arbitration & related court applications

Recognised as a “A brilliant strategist and cross-examiner”, “highly commercial” and having “great analytical skills”. James has extensive knowledge and experience of arbitration law and practice.

He has represented clients in arbitrations in the U.K., Bermuda, Canada, France, Singapore and the U.S., under AAA, CEITAC, ICC, LCIA, LMAA and other procedural rules. These arbitrations have involved many different fields of work and have been subject to a number of different procedural and substantive laws (including the laws of Bermuda, England, France, Liechtenstein, New York and Singapore). Hearings have ranged from short interlocutory applications to trials lasting many weeks. At these hearings, James appears as lead counsel, sole counsel or co-counsel with overseas lawyers.

James has also acted as arbitrator in institutional and ad hoc arbitrations seated in England, Paris and Dubai.

Recent arbitrations include: 

  • Ukraine Oil Dispute. James is sole arbitrator in this ongoing dispute.
  •  KLS v. Sri Lanka (2021-2022). ICSID. James acted for Sri Lanka in this BIT arbitration, defending a $100 million claim in relation to a wind project in the Jafna Peninsula. The seat of the arbitration was in Singapore. 
  • A yacht sale dispute (2022). LMAA. James acted for a buyer seeking to terminate a contract, relying on force majeure resulting from Covid-19. 
  • US Homebuilder v. Bermuda Insurers (2021). Bermuda Form. James acted for a U.S. homebuilder on its claims against two Bermuda-based insurers to recover part of an approximately $230 million loss suffered as a result of water intrusion claims. The substantive law was the law of New York. 
  • Oil Exploration and Production Sharing Dispute (2020). UNCITRAL. James was a party-appointed arbitrator in this dispute between a state and an oil exploration and production company. The arbitration had its seat in Dubai. 
  • Iran Sanctions Dispute. Ad Hoc. James acted as lead counsel for a claimant seeking payment of about $70 million for 2 cargoes of petroleum from Iran. The Defendants alleged breach of US, EU and other sanction regimes; illegality; forgery; and fraud. The Arbitration (and the related court challenges) were resolved in favour of the claimant.

James has also advised and acted in a wide range of arbitration-related court proceedings, including; applications for relief in support of arbitrations (such as anti-suit injunctions and worldwide freezing orders and witness summonses); challenges to awards (eg. under sections 67, 68 and 69); and proceedings to enforce both foreign and domestic awards.

Banking & financial services

Described as “without doubt a top choice of leading counsel”; “incredibly hard-working, strategically and tactically astute, and a compelling advocate”; having “the ability to crunch through a vast amount of financial documents”; and “good on any matters involving numbers”, James has advised and acted for or against a number of banks and financial institutions (including Man Group, Banco Sabadell, Cerberus, Barclays, Goldman Sachs, HIG, Thames Capital and Yukos Capital) and HNWIs in a wide range of domestic and international banking and financial services disputes.

This has included claims by or against funds and corporations in relation to debt and equity investments (typically cross-border), including claims relating to the misappropriation of assets. Recent cases include:

  • The Public Institution for Social Security v. Al Rajaan & Others (ongoing). James acts for various Man Group defendants in this year-long bribery trial.
  • Banco Sabadell SA v, Cerberus Global [2024] EWHC 3022 (Comm). James acted as lead counsel for the claimant in a dispute with guarantors about sums due under three investment agreements governed by Spanish law. In December 2024 the Court granted judgment in the sum of more than €400m. In February 2025 the CA refused permission to appeal.
  • Cayman and BVI Funds (2022-present). James is advising and acting for an investor who invested $500m in four funds in the Cayman Islands and the BVI. Over the course of four years (including numerous applications and several trips to the Court of Appeal), provisional liquidators and then official liquidators were appointed. They now pursue claims against the (alleged) wrongdoers. In parallel with this, orders have been obtained to wind up the management shareholders in Cayman, and declaratory relief obtained so as to help defeat proceedings in Switzerland.
  • UCITS Fund (2021). James advised and acting for an investor who invested $100m in a UCITS fund. That investment was then used to support other funds run by the same managers.
  • PCP Capital Parnters v. Barclays Bank PCL [2020] EWHC 1393 (Comm) [2021] EWHC 307 (Comm) [2021] EWHC 1852 (Comm). James acted for PCP, which sued Barclays for fraud in relation to its 2008 capital raise.
  • TMF Trustee Ltd v. Fire Navigation [2019] EWHC 2918 (Comm). James acted for a guarantor. It is the only case where the prevention principal has been successfully deployed to defeat a claim for summary judgment on a guarantee.
Civil fraud & asset recovery

James has advised and acted in a wide range of cases involving allegations of commercial fraud, including some of the longest fraud trials in English legal history. Recent cases include:

  • The Public Institution for Social Security v. Al Rajaan & Others (ongoing). James acts for various Man Group defendants in this year-long bribery trial.
  • Manek v. IIFL Wealth and others, [2021] EWCA Civ 264 and [2021] EWCA Civ 625. James acted as lead counsel for two defendants to this £30 million fraud claim. In 2021, jurisdiction issues were resolved in two hearings before, and two judgments of, the Court of Appeal. The first of these judgments clarifies the scope of the tort gateway.
  • PCP Capital Parnters v. Barclays Bank PCL [2020] EWHC 1393 (Comm) [2021] EWHC 307 (Comm) [2021] EWHC 1852 (Comm). James acted for PCP, which sued Barclays for fraud in relation to its 2008 capital raise. The claim was valued at £600 million.
  • UCITS Fund. James advised and acted for an investor who invested $100m in a UCITS fund. That investment was then used to support other funds run by the same managers. The investor says that it was induced to invest by fraudulent representations as to the nature of the fund.
  • PJSC Tatneft v. Bogolyubov & Others [2018] EWHC 3249 (Comm) (and other refs). James acts for the second defendant in this substantial claim under Article 1064 of the Russian Civil Code. The claim arises from the alleged misappropriation of payments made by a Ukrainian refinery.
  • Accent Delight v. Bouvier. In this case the claimants alleged that Mr Bouvier fraudulently inflated the price of works by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Van Gough, Picasso, Modigliani, Rothko, Monet and Matisse by about US$1 billion. The dispute was eventually resolved following litigation in Singapore, Hong Kong, Monaco, France, New York and Switzerland, and threatened proceedings in England. James acted for and advised the defendant in relation to global strategy; and jurisdictional issues in in common law and convention territories.
Commercial dispute resolution

James is described as an “Mellifluous in his delivery, strategic and hard working in his approach. The perfect all-rounder”; and someone who “takes complex issues and presents them in a clear, concise way, which really puts the point across forcefully”. Areas include:

  • Banking and Finance (see the separate section).
  • General Commercial Disputes (eg KKK v. James Kemball [2021] EWCA Civ 33; James Kemball v. K Line (Europe) [2022] EWHC 2239 (Comm))
  • International trade (eg. Advanced Multi-Technology v. Uniserve [2022] EWHC 264 (Ch))
  • Energy sector disputes, including rig sale and management, pipeline and supply disputes (eg. Sri Lanka BIT Claim).
  • Shareholder and share purchase disputes. (eg Otello Corp ASA v. Moore Freres and Co LLC [2020] EWHC 3261 (Ch).
  • Healthcare and pharmaceutical sector disputes (eg. Turks and Caicos PFI dispute; licensing/royalty disputes; and Mid Essex NHS Trust v. Compass [2013] EWCA Civ 200).
  • Conflicts of interest, protection of confidential information and professional conduct.
  • Shipping and yacht/shipbuilding
Insurance & reinsurance

Described as “quality at every level”; a “tough and compelling advocate” and “an extremely impressive barrister with an extremely sharp mind, who has extensive knowledge of the Bermuda Form”, James has advised and acted in wide range of insurance and reinsurance disputes. This work has included:

A substantial number of Bermuda form arbitrations and other arbitrations where the substantive law of the insurance contracts has been the law of New York. This has involved hearings in London, New York, Toronto and Montreal. Underlying subject matter has included the liability of drug manufacturers, chemical companies, hospitals, a restaurant chain and homebuilders for a range of liabilities, including personal injury, property damage, discrimination and commercial disparagement.

Insurance and reinsurance arbitrations in England and abroad, including reinsurance claims arising from substantial audit and tax advice liabilities incurred by the Big 4 accounting firms.

Offshore litigation

Described as “a real pleasure to work”; “a really impressive advocate”; “adept at handling matters at first instance as well as at the appeal stage”; and “fast becoming a silk of choice for offshore matters”, James frequently represents clients in offshore disputes, including in the B.V.I. and Cayman Islands, at first instance and on appeal. Recent cases have included:

  • Credit Suisse London Nominees v. LV II Investment Management Ltd (2024). James acted as lead counsel for claimant seeking to wind up a judgment debtor. The case involved (failed) applications to the Cayman Grand Court (FSD) and, twice, the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal, seeking to stay, first, the judgment and then the winding up.
  • Chia Hsing Wang v. LV II Investment Management Ltd (2023 and 2024). James acted as lead counsel for the claimant in a successful application to the Cayman Grand Court (FSD) for a declaration that he was not personally liable for the award debts of a company of which he was ultimate beneficial owner.
  • Chia Hsing Wang v. Real Estate Global Opportunity Fund (2023 and 2024). James acted as lead counsel for the claimant in a successful application to join proceedings in the BVI (replacing the existing claimant) and appoint provisional liquidators over a BVI Fund. James also acted for the claimant as (successful) respondent to the Easter Caribbean Court of Appeal.
  • Credit Suisse London Nominees v. Principal Investing Fund & Others (2023). James acted as counsel for the claimant seeking to wind up three Cayman Funds on grounds that was just and equitable to do so.
  • Cayman Fund. James is advised the independent directors of a limited partner in relation to a dispute between the ultimate investors in, and the general partner of, a Cayman fund.
  • Millicom Tanzania NV v. Golden Globe International (2016 – 2017, BVI Commercial Court and E.C. Court of Appeal). In this case the claimant alleged that the first defendant (a BVI company) conspired with others and corrupted court officials in Tanzania in order to misappropriate shares in a mobile telephone company said to be worth US$192m. The claimant commenced proceedings in the BVI and obtained a US$100m Worldwide Freezing Order. James acted for the first defendant on its successful application to discharge the WFO and stay the BVI proceedings.
Career

2012  Silk

1995  Call: Gray’s Inn

1994  Essex Court Chambers

Education

1994    BVC, Inns of Court School of Law

1993    BA, Downing College, Cambridge