James Hart
Biography
Overview
James is an associate in the Dispute Resolution group in London. His practice includes international arbitration and commercial litigation across a broad range of sectors, with a particular focus on complex, cross-border disputes in the energy and natural resources industries.
James has represented clients in arbitrations conducted under most of the principal institutional rules and on an ad hoc basis. He frequently conducts oral advocacy and has developed particular expertise in cases that raise complicated English law issues. James' arbitration experience encompasses several appointments as tribunal secretary and a six-month secondment to the Firm's International Arbitration team in Paris.
James also has experience of representing clients in litigation before the English courts and regularly advises on English law disputes before foreign courts (including, most recently, in the US and Cayman Islands).
In addition to practising law, James has taught both contract law and international arbitration. He is currently engaged in doctoral research in the field of English contract law and has been listed as a "key lawyer" in the Firm's dispute resolution team by Legal 500.
Experience
Representing buyers of natural gas in multiple price review arbitrations under long term import contracts worth several billion euros.
Representing Iraq Telecom Ltd. in its successful ICC arbitration against Korek Telecom Company and Sirwan Barzani involving direct and derivative claims for fraud, corruption, self-dealing, and other contractual breaches of a shareholders' agreement governed by English law. In an award issued in March 2023, the tribunal unanimously found in favour of Iraq Telecom Ltd. and assessed damages in the amount of US$ 1.65 billion.
Representing a consortium of East Asian contractors in a SIAC arbitration, seated in Singapore and governed by English law, relating to the construction of an oil and petrochemical refinery in Southeast Asia, involving claims of over US$1.5 billion.
Representing an oil supermajor in an ICC arbitration concerning its acquisition of an interest in an exploration block offshore West Africa.
Representing an HKSE and ASX listed mining company in the English Commercial Court and Court of Appeal in relation to alleged breaches of a tax indemnity and tax warranties contained in a sale and purchase agreement governed by English law.
Advising a state owned oil and gas corporation in connection with disputes arising out of a sale and purchase agreement governed by English law, including a challenge to the jurisdiction of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.
Representing an international oil and gas company in DIFC-LCIA proceedings concerning the performance of a drilling contract.
Acting as tribunal secretary in an ICC arbitration concerning a works and costs dispute in the oil and gas sector.
