James is a highly experienced commercial litigator with particular expertise in financial services litigation, restructuring and insolvency law, and company law litigation.

James advises on all aspects of restructuring, turnaround, and insolvency law. He acts for insolvency practitioners, directors, and creditors on both contentious and non–contentious matters. James frequently acts on directors' duties claims, asset-tracing and fraud claims, security disputes, and cross–border insolvencies.

James advises financial institutions, including major trading banks, on a range of commercial matters.

He also acts for parties in corporate/commercial disputes, including contractual disputes, shareholder disputes, breach of confidence claims, and disputes relating to limited partnerships and joint ventures. He is also experienced in litigation-funded claims and class actions.

James is a member of the New Zealand Law Society, Civil Litigation & Tribunals Committee; the Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association of New Zealand (RITANZ); and the Banking & Financial Services Law Association (BFSLA).

Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024
Restructuring & Insolvency

Leading Lawyer

Asia Pacific Legal 500 2024
Restructuring & Insolvency

Leading Lawyer

The International Who’s Who Legal 2023
Restructuring & Insolvency

Leading Lawyer

Work Highlights

Non-bank Lenders

Acting for off-shore and domestic non-bank lenders in relation to restructurings, enforcement action, and contractual disputes.

NZX-listed Insolvencies

Acting for the administrators of Pumpkin Patch, the administrators of Wynyard Group, and the Financial Markets Authority’s claim against CBL Corporation and its directors.

Property Developments

Acting for US based investors in major property development restructurings and associated litigation.

Investment Funds

Acting for investors in the Halifax litigation, and the liquidators of van Eyk.

Construction Insolvencies

Acting for a major creditor in the receivership of the Kurow-Duntroon Irrigation Company, and the liquidators of Orange H Construction.

Agricultural

Acting for the administrators of Sunfruit Orchards, and the liquidators of Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre.

Cullen Group Liquidation

Acting for the liquidators of Cullen Group.

Schemes of Arrangement

Acting on statutory schemes of arrangement, including Westland Co-operative Dairy Company, Methven, and New Zealand Oil & Gas.

Fraud

Acting on various employee fraud proceedings, including obtaining injunctive relief and asset-tracing claims.

Areas of Expertise

Insights & News