Legal 500 EMEA 2023 highlights Atkin Chambers’ strength in depth in the region
Awards
Atkin Chambers has been recognised as a Tier 1 set for construction by the new The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 (UK […]
12th Apr 2023
“A phenomenal Silk”
“A master of his art, supremely prepared at all times, quick to gain the judge or tribunal’s trust and even quicker to unpick a witness in cross-examination.”
Legal 500 and Chambers UK Bar
James’ practice covers a wide range of technical disputes from construction and engineering, energy and power, shipbuilding and offshore structures, and commercial disputes to telecommunications and IT disputes. James has wide experience of domestic and equivalent international PFI/PPP and outsourcing contracting, acting for contractors and private and public employers.
Much of James’ work is international in nature and throughout his career he has advised on disputes in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and across Asia. James has wide experience in international arbitration (ad hoc as well as major institutional international rules). James represented PTT, the Thai government-owned oil major, before the UK Supreme Court in Triple Point Technology, Inc v PTT Public Company Ltd [2021] UKSC 29, a case that has been the subject of considerable interest in the UK and worldwide.
Prior to and since taking Silk, James has been consistently recognised by the legal directories, including the Chambers and Partners (UK, Global and Asia Pacific) guides to the legal profession and The Legal 500, in the fields of construction, international arbitration, information technology and professional negligence for his client focus and approachability, and for his advocacy.
James has experience of both domestic and international disputes regarding oil and gas exploration and exploitation, and regarding power projects (conventional, nuclear and renewable).
Recent case examples include:
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Advisory and advocacy work in respect of various claims in arbitration under Power Purchase Agreements relating to generation including gas-fired power stations, CHP Plant and Biomass power stations and commercial boilers, including:
Offshore installation related disputes experience includes:
Onshore, renewables disputes include:
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James has carried out preparatory, advisory and advocacy work for numerous large-scale domestic construction and engineering project disputes. Recent examples include:
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Other cases include:
James has wide experience in the IT and Telecommunications’ field acting for suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, and users, including central and local government, in relation to telecommunication systems and computer software and hardware systems.
Examples of his recent work include:
Other cases include:
James has advised contractors on disputes arising from rail projects and infrastructures. Cases include:
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University and College Scholar and Prizewinner at University of Cambridge and University of Oxford
1993–1994: BCL Oxon (1st Class) Brasenose College, Oxford
1989–1992: MA Cantab, BA (Hons) (1st Class) Magdalene College, Cambridge
James is a contributing editor to Hudson’s Building and Engineering Contracts (12th and 13th Eds)
James was editor of Building Law Reports from 1998 -2000 and from 2005 – 2015
He was editor of Technology and Construction Reports from 2000-2002
“James is a highly intelligent and hard-working KC who is always a pleasure to deal with. His legal and strategic analysis is excellent, and his advocacy is considered and persuasive.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2024
“James is very thorough and methodical on large technical disputes, and he explores the evidence in depth before cross-examining witnesses.”
Energy, The Legal 500 2024
“A go-to silk – a brain the size of a planet, always knows the detail and the documents better than anyone else in the room, incisive cross-examination of expert witnesses, whether factual or technical, and a pleasure to work with to boot. James is extremely user-friendly, attentive, responsive and accessible.”
International Arbitration, The Legal 500 2024
“Very bright, strategically astute and provides clear advice. A brilliant tech sector barrister who is user-friendly and top of his game.”
IT and Telecoms, The Legal 500 2024
“A strategist who provides clear, focussed advice.”
Professional Negligence, The Legal 500 2024
“James is extremely hard-working.”
“He has an incredible eye for detail and can see the bigger picture as well.”
International Arbitration: Construction/Engineering, Chambers UK Bar 2024
“James Howells has a wealth of expertise and great client skills coupled with strong commerciality.”
“James is outstanding – ferociously hard-working with an unbelievable eye for detail while also having an excellent sense of the view from 30,000 feet as well.”
“He’s a super brain. Someone you’d go to if you absolutely want to know the right answer.”
“Clearly a bright guy and a very impressive barrister; he’s very strong in writing.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2024
“James Howells is an extremely talented and hard-working silk.”
“He’s an excellent lawyer.”
Energy & Natural Resources, Chambers UK Bar 2024
“James is phenomenally intelligent. He is also extremely impressive and very commercial.”
“Incredibly focused and dedicated, he never lets you down.”
“He is a very persuasive advocate both written and orally.”
“James has a very calm and measured approach.”
Information Technology, Chambers UK Bar 2024
“James is a superb technical lawyer, with excellent knowledge of the relevant case law. James’ pleadings are always drafted with great care, and at a very high standard. In terms of advocacy, James is amongst the best and is extremely well prepared, and able and willing to answer and deal with any issues that arise throughout a hearing. Further, what really sets James apart is his client care, and willingness to spend time with clients.”
Construction, Energy & Infrastructure, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023
“He’s enormously intelligent, and very friendly and dedicated.”
“His written submissions are consistently impressive and he’s excellent on his feet.”
Construction, Chambers UK Bar 2023
“He is charming to work with, keenly intelligent and very effective.”
Energy & Natural Resources, Chambers UK Bar 2023
“He’s incredibly responsive and razor-sharp – and he really ‘gets’ the client.”
“His service delivery, knowledge and expertise are second to none. He’s enormously intelligent, very friendly and dedicated.”
Professional Negligence: Chambers UK Bar 2023
“James Howells is charming to work with, keenly intelligent and very effective.”
“James is a new breed of silk who really get their hands dirty. He has enormous client and project management skills and is perfect for leading a big team.”
International Arbitration, Chambers UK Bar 2023
“Excellent both in court and at conference, he’s extremely clever and yet straightforward and user-friendly in his approach.”
Information Technology, Chambers UK Bar 2023
“James is part of a new breed of KC who really get their hands dirty. He is a go-to for any complex construction matter and has enormous client and project management skills.”
International Arbitration, Chambers Asia Pacific 2023
“James is an excellent technical barrister, with a deep knowledge of construction issues. As well as being an excellent advocate, what sets James apart is the time and effort he puts into client care.”
Construction, The Legal 500 2023
“James is a go to leading counsel. He is commercial and turns matters round quickly and effectively.”
IT & Telecoms, The Legal 500 2023
“He is particularly good on the technical detail of complex disputes and carries out effective cross-examination.”
Energy, The Legal 500 2023
“James is first and foremost an excellent technical barrister, with a deep knowledge of construction issues from experience and from keeping up to date with latest developments. As well as being an excellent advocate, what sets James apart is the time and effort he puts into client care, taking the time to explain issues to clients, addressing their concerns and working to ensure key issues are understood.”
International Arbitration: Counsel, The Legal 500 2023
“Amongst his great strengths are his intellect, balanced judgments and straight talking.”
Professional Negligence: The Legal 500 2023
The above are a selection of recent client endorsements from the leading legal directories, both UK and internationally. For a complete list of endorsements, please contact the practice management team at Atkin Chambers.