Jamie has a wide-ranging commercial practice, with extensive experience of private international law, maritime, commodities, international trade, and international arbitration related disputes. Jamie has experience in High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court proceedings, along with ad hoc and institutional arbitrations, including pursuant to LMAA, LCIA, ICC, SIAC, GAFTA, and FOSFA rules.
In 2022 Jamie is ranked as a Rising Star by Legal 500 in Shipping and Commodities.
Jamie has particular experience of complex cases engaging issues of private international law and state immunity, having acted on behalf of state clients in a number of recent leading cases (e.g. The Prestige [2022] 1 WLR 3434 (CA) and The Resolute [2022] 1 WLR 4856).
What the directories say
- "Jamie punches well above his weight in terms of years’ call from a technical perspective and is very responsive and user-friendly." (Legal 500, 2024)
- "He is very thorough and has a fine and independent mind." (Legal 500, 2024)
- “Jamie is an excellent technical lawyer, very responsive and excellent on his feet.” (Chambers UK, 2024)
- “He is very thorough, tremendously detailed, and works collaboratively.” (Chambers UK, 2024)
- "Ferociously bright and very hard working. Definitely a star of the future." (Legal 500, 2022)
- "He punches above his weight." (Legal 500, 2023)
- "Very responsive and accessible, he has a good ability to gauge and engage with the Tribunal and quickly gets to grips with detailed facts and complex law." (Legal 500, 2023)
Shipping
Jamie has extensive experience of shipping and maritime disputes. His recent and on-going cases include:
- Appearing in numerous LMAA arbitrations as sole counsel covering all manner of maritime disputes including off-hire claims, bunker disputes, speed and consumption disputes, demurrage disputes, cargo claims etc.
- Representing with Richard Lord KC, Josephine Davies, and Thomas Steward a Russian fishery defending claims for c. US$200 million arising out of alleged breaches of long-term contracts of affreightment.
- Representing with Poonam Melwani KC the owners of a vessel defending claims for unseaworthiness and wrongful abandonment following the loss of its pintle pin.
- Advising cargo interests on a claim for c. US$ 2 million arising out of the sinking of a vessel off the coast of Saudi Arabia.
- AIG Europe Limited v MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (the MSC Camille) [2019] – Represented AIG in High Court proceedings against MSC following water damage to electronic products carried in 2 containers on board the MSC Camille.
Shipbuilding
Jamie has experience of high-value shipbuilding disputes. His recent and on-going cases include:
- Successfully represented buyers of 2 64k bulk carriers in obtaining repayments of instalments under refund guarantees worth c. US$ 20 million in a 3-week LMAA arbitration with Robert Bright KC and Josephine Davies, following issues with the stern tube bearings during sea trials.
- Working as a junior with Lionel Persey KC and Henry Ellis in 2 LMAA Arbitrations concerning 2 floating accommodation rigs, resisting claims for c. US $57m and c. US$ 180m respectively.
- Working as a junior with Lionel Persey KC and Henry Ellis defending a shipyard from claims arising from the purported cancellation of 10 related shipbuilding contracts.
- Successfully defending a shipyard from allegations of negligence when removing a hydraulicly fitted coupling in a 1-week ICC arbitration with Robert Thomas KC.
Private International Law / State Immunity
- London Steam-ship Owners’ Mutual Insurance Association Ltd v The Kingdom of Spain (The Prestige) [2020] EWHC 1920 (Comm) 24 Jul 2020 / [2020] EWHC 1582 (Comm) / [2021] EWHC 1247 (Comm) – Representing the Spanish Government with Timothy Young KC in 4 high-profile sets of proceedings relating to the enforcement of a judgment debt of c. US$ 1 Billion in Spain’s favour, following the sinking of the MT Prestige in 2002, giving rise to complex issues relating to state immunity, conflicts of laws, EU law, Human Rights, and arbitration law.
- UK P&I Club NV v Venezuela (The Resolute) [2022] EWHC 1655 (Comm) - Successfully represented the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela with Poonam Melwani KC in overturning an interim anti-suit injunction granted against the state. The case is the leading authority on the availability of injunctive relief against states from the English Courts.
- Advising the Republic of Kosovo as sole counsel in relation to issues relating to state immunity and arbitration law, arising out of the enforcement of an ICC arbitration award in England.
Commodities & International Trade
Jamie has wide experience in various international trade and commodity cases, involving an array international sale terms and institutional arbitrations. Jamie is ranked as a rising star in Commodities by Legal 500. His recent and on-going cases include:
- Representing an Italian animal feed producer in a successful GAFTA Appeal, overturning an award against the producer in the sum of c. € 800,000 and obtaining an award in its favour of c. € 330,000, before successfully defending appeals pursuant to ss. 68 and 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 on the papers.
- Representing two commodities companies with Rob Thomas KC, defending appeals pursuant to ss. 68, 67, and 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 from two related FOSFA awards, obtaining the summary dismissal of all appeals, including at a hearing before Butcher J where Jamie appeared as sole counsel.
- Representing FOB buyers in a GAFTA arbitration and appeal as sole counsel in relation to cross claims worth c. US$ 1.2 million.
- Drafting submissions in numerous FOSFA arbitrations in relation to issues of detention and delay at the Port of Paranaguá.
- Assisting John Russell KC in a LCIA Arbitration arising out of the alleged provision of defective organic juice, defending claims in excess of US$ 1 million.
- Advising on when property passes pursuant to FOSFA Contract No. 60.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Jamie has experience in both domestic and international commercial disputes, both in court and arbitration. His recent and on-going cases include:
- The Prestige [2020] EWHC 1920 (Comm) 24 Jul 2020 / [2020] EWHC 1582 (Comm) / [2021] EWHC 1247 (Comm) – Representing the Spanish Government with Timothy Young KC in 4 high-profile sets of proceedings which have given rise to leading judgments on the application of the State Immunity Act 1978 and the scope of the ‘conditional benefit’ principle, as applied to arbitration agreements, giving rise to the recent significant decision of the CJEU in C-700/20 London Steam-Ship Owners’ Mutual Insurance Association Limited v Kingdom of Spain, which materially limits the scope of arbitration agreements in insurance contracts within the EU.
- UK P&I Club NV v Venezuela [2022] EWHC 1655 (Comm) - Successfully represented the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela with Poonam Melwani KC in overturning an interim anti-suit injunction granted against the state. The case is the leading authority on the availability of injunctive relief against states from the English Courts.
- Advising an investment bank on issues relating to the assignment of claims worth c. US$ 4 million arising out of a master participation agreement for trade transactions
- Representing with Paul Downes KC, Poonam Melwani KC, and Simon Oakes a leading steel producer in a LCIA arbitration, defending claims for US$100 million arising out of a share purchase agreement.
- Representing with John Russell KC and Ben Coffer two petrochemical companies defending claims for c. US$43 million arising out of a long-term nitrogen and oxygen supply contract.
- Monitor Audio Limited v Taurus High-End GmbH [2019] - Successfully obtaining summary judgment for € 144,818.67 and indemnity costs, arising from claims for breaches of contracts concerning the distribution of high-end hi-fi equipment in Germany.
- Ipulse (IP) Partners LLP v McDermott Will & Emery LLP [2020] – Representing an English law firm in relation to claims for breach of contract, unlawful interference, and unlawful means conspiracy against another law firm.
- Advising a property developer on claims worth c. £ 2 million, arising from various development schemes.
- Assisting Joseph Sullivan in advising on a shareholder dispute relating to various companies specialising in online streaming technologies.
- Assisting John Russell KC in a LCIA Arbitration arising out of the alleged provision of defective organic juice, including the impact of a deliberate or fraudulent breach of contract when assessing contractual damages.
International Arbitration
Jamie has worked on numerous arbitrations administered by various arbitral institutions including the ICC, LICA, LMAA, FOSFA, and GAFTA. His recent and on-going cases include:
- The Prestige [2020] EWHC 1920 (Comm) 24 Jul 2020 / [2020] EWHC 1582 (Comm) / [2021] EWHC 1247 (Comm) Prestige – Representing the Spanish Government with Timothy Young KC in 4 high-profile sets of proceedings that have given rise to leading judgments on the application ‘conditional benefit’ principle to arbitration agreements and the scope of the arbitration exclusion in the State Immunity Act 1978. As part of the proceedings, Jamie assisted Spain in successfully applying for a reference to the CJEU of questions relating to whether arbitration awards and judgments entered pursuant to s.66 of the Arbitration Act 1996 can be relied upon to prevent enforcement of judgments of other Member States. The CJEU has recently found in Spain’s favour on those questions in C-700/20 London Steam-Ship Owners’ Mutual Insurance Association Limited v Kingdom of Spain.
- Representing with John Russell KC and Ben Coffer two petrochemical companies defending claims for c. US$43 million in a LCIA arbitration, arising out of a long-term nitrogen and oxygen supply contract.
- Representing with Paul Downes KC, Poonam Melwani KC and Simon Oakes a leading steel producer in a LCIA arbitration, defending claims for US$100 million arising out share purchase agreement.
- Successfully representing a shipyard at a 1-week ICC arbitration with Rob Thomas KC, which included argument as to how the ICC Rules regulate claims which have not been pleaded but are raised at the hearing.
- Assisting John Russell KC in a LCIA Arbitration arising out of the alleged provision of defective organic juice, defending claims in excess of US$ 1 million
- Representing an Italian animal feed producer in a successful GAFTA Appeal, overturning an award against the producer in the sum of c. € 800,000 and obtaining an award in its favour of c. € 330,000, before successfully defending appeals pursuant to ss. 68 and 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 on the papers.
- Advising on the prospects of dismissing an arbitration claim for inordinate delay pursuant to s. 41(3) of the Arbitration Act 1996.
- Advising on the prospects of an application to remove an arbitrator to s. 24 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
- Representing with Rob Thomas KC a commodities company in defending appeals pursuant to s.68 and 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 in relation to a FOSFA arbitration award.
- Representing FOB buyers in a GAFTA arbitration and appeal as sole counsel in relation to cross claims worth c. US$ 1.2 million for demurrage, detention, and the price of the goods.
- Drafting submissions in numerous FOSFA arbitrations in relation to issues of detention and delay at the Port of Paranaguá.
- Drafting written submissions in various LMAA Arbitrations including shipbuilding disputes, off-hire claims, bunker disputes, speed and consumption disputes, demurrage disputes, cargo claims etc.
Energy
Jamie has a developing practice in the field of energy and natural resources, including:
- Working as a junior with Lionel Persey KC and Henry Ellis in 2 LMAA Arbitrations concerning 2 floating accommodation rigs, resisting claims for c. US $57m and c. US$ 180m respectively.
- Representing with John Russell KC and Ben Coffer two petrochemical companies defending claims for c. US$43 million in a LCIA arbitration, arising out of long-term nitrogen and oxygen supply contracts.
- Providing multiple legal opinions to a bioenergy firm specialising in waste to energy power production, concerning issues arising out of a long-term power purchase agreement.
Insurance
Jamie is developing his practice in the field of insurance and reinsurance. He regularly deals with issues of subrogation and assignment arising out of cargo claims against shipowners. In June 2019 he spoke on the topic of subrogation in a European law context at the YMLA event in Hamburg. He has also assisted Lexis Nexus in updating their Practice Notes on Maritime Insurance Law.
His recent and on-going cases includes:
- The Prestige [2020] EWHC 1920 (Comm) 24 Jul 2020 / [2020] EWHC 1582 (Comm) / [2021] EWHC 1247 (Comm) Prestige – Representing the Spanish Government with Timothy Young KC in 4 high-profile sets of proceedings in relation to claims for c. US$1 billion against the London Steam-ship Owners' Mutual Insurance Association Ltd, as the insurers of the MT Prestige, which sank of the coast of Spain in 2002. The proceedings have included consideration and determination of the scope of the insurance provisions of Regulation (EU) 1215/2012, as well as the scope of the ‘conditional benefit’ principle, as applied to parties relying on foreign statutes granting direct claims against insurers. The case has given rise to a leading EU judgment which has materially limited the scope of arbitration agreements in contracts of insurance (C-700/20 London Steam-Ship Owners’ Mutual Insurance Association Limited v Kingdom of Spain).
- UK P&I Club NV v Venezuela [2022] EWHC 1655 (Comm) - Successfully represented the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela with Poonam Melwani KC in overturning an interim anti-suit injunction granted against the state. The case is the leading authority on the availability of injunctive relief against states from the English Courts and involved consideration of the application of the ‘conditional benefit’ principle in relation to direct action claims against insurers.
- Assisting Lionel Persey KC in advising on coverage issues under a vessel’s war risk insurance, following the seizure of the vessel by a foreign government.
Banking
Whilst a pupil, Jamie gained experience of banking and financial services litigation, including dealing with refunds for push payment fraud pursuant to the Payment Services Regulation 2009. Recently, Jamie has assisted Paul Downes KC in editing “Downes on Banking Law”, due to be published by Sweet & Maxwell.
Aviation & Travel
Jamie has experience of a wide range of aviation disputes dealing with the Montreal/Warsaw Convention and Regulation 261/2004, both in court and in CEDR adjudications.