"Jim has 'a brilliant legal mind but is also aware of the commercial ramifications'. He is 'able to cut across complex legal argument to explain in a succinct and intelligible manner'."
Legal 500 2011
Jim Oulton is a partner in the Insurance & Reinsurance practice of the London office. He is well known for his work in the Professional Liability field, where he handles claims and insurance coverage disputes. He regularly advises in claims concerning accountants and auditors, real estate professionals, trustees (in particular in offshore jurisdictions), asset managers, IT professionals and lawyers. Recent work includes cases involving failure to detect fraud, mortgage fraud, valuations of property and other assets in falling/unstable markets, claims arising from allegedly negligent audits, tax planning and tax mitigation schemes as well as claims against Insolvency Practitioners. Jim has also spent significant time recently advising professionals as to their duties to produce documents and information to the SFO, FSA, HMRC and to Insolvency Practitioners. In recent years he has often been instructed by excess layer markets as claims develop to advise on policy issues (often aggregation) and strategy. He is frequently asked to protect their interests in settlement discussions and at mediations.
Jim also advises in relation to Financial Institutions and D&O claims in a range of disputes, including the international oil sector, offshore investment companies and funds and other businesses. He has also recently spent significant time advising the underwriters of Insolvency Practitioners' Bonds as to the extent of their obligations.
"Technically excellent’" notes
Legal 500 2012; ranked as a key individual by
Chambers UK 2012 and
2013, Jim is admired for his ability to
"distil complex academic and legal arguments in a succinct way." He has "a brilliant legal mind but is also aware of the commercial ramifications". He is "able to cut across complex legal argument to explain in a succinct and intelligible manner" notes
Legal 500 2011. According to
Chambers & Partners UK Directory 2009, Jim is "one of the brightest solicitors around, and always has valuable input." "Extremely thorough and relentless in his coverage of a case, and leaves no stone unturned" notes
Chambers UK 2010. He "is very thorough and gets great deals for his clients" remarks the
2011 edition.