Partner
James Morris
Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Construction & Engineering, International Arbitration
"James is a highly capable, hard-working and intelligent lawyer."
Overview
James Morris’ practice includes a wide range of dispute resolution, advising employers, contractors, consultants and insurers in relation to all forms of construction related disputes. He regularly advises on complicated technical disputes, including claims concerning defective design and workmanship, programming, delay, disruption and quantum, which arise out of the major forms of construction and engineering contracts. He is an experienced litigator who has represented clients in complex multi-party litigation in the High Court (Technology and Construction Court), mediations, adjudications and arbitrations (both domestic and international).
Experience
Advising:
- Shepherd in complex multi-party High Court proceedings in respect of a c.£70m cladding claim against Kingspan and numerous other parties (including a claim under s.149 of the Building Safety Act 2022). The case was one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases of 2024 and Legal Business Magazine’s Disputes Year Book 2024’s “cases of the year”.
- various employers, contractors and consultants regarding a number of multi-million pound insulation, cladding and broader Building Safety claims in the UK.
- a Korean contractor in relation to claims arising out of a series of facilities, including an oil field in Kuwait and a water project in Oman.
- a quarry contractor in an arbitration in relation to its claims against the HKSAR Government.
- a Korean contractor in relation to a complex joint venture dispute regarding the construction of a hospital as part of a PPP Project in West Asia.
- a large UK developer in relation to a dispute regarding a series of leaks in a high end residential building in London.
Recognition
- Band 5: Construction. James Morris is noted for his established reputation within the construction industry due to his adept representation of contractors, developers and consultants in litigation and adjudication proceedings. He frequently handles disputes involving mixed-use developments as well as energy and infrastructure projects. "James is a highly capable, hard-working and intelligent lawyer." Chambers UK
- Listed as a key lawyer and Next Generation Partner for Construction: Contentious and Professional Negligence, "James Morris is proving an adept operator." "Sally Davies, James Morris and their team are fast in response, clear and precise in their analysis, and are unafraid to say what the client may not want to hear. Such objectivity is what I value when seeking advice from outside counsel." Legal 500
- Band 6: Construction. "James gives clear advice and explains his reasoning in detail when prompted, all with requisite speed." "He's a very experienced, reasonable and pragmatic lawyer." "James is an excellent new-generation partner; he's hard-working and into the detail, but also clear on the strategy." Chambers UK
Education
- LPC (Distinction)
- LLB (Hons) (First Class)
Admissions
- England and Wales
Courts
- Solicitor Advocate with Higher Rights of Audience (Civil)
Professional & Community Involvement
- Member of TeCSA
- Member of SCL
- Member of the TeCSA_10s Committee