Partner

Jim Oulton

Professional Liability, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Insurance

 "Jim Oulton has superb grasp of the detail and thinks issues through with thoroughness and intelligence." He "brings his laser-like focus to all his cases. Opponents know that Jim will not let up in his relentless pursuit of the client’s best interests. One of the best!"
Legal 500, Hall of Fame

Overview

Jim Oulton is particularly well known for his work in the professional liability field. He regularly advises in claims in the English courts concerning accountants and auditors, insolvency practitioners, lawyers, trustees, tax professionals and many other professions. Jim's work includes managing and supervising overseas claims — particularly in offshore jurisdictions where he has very broad experience. 

Experience

  • Acted for the successful Insolvency Practitioners, striking out claims made against them relating to the sale of a hotel (in the matter of Coniston Hotel (Kent) LLP (In Liquidation – upheld in the Court of Appeal, with permission to appeal to the Supreme Court refused).
  • Defending Caribbean auditor in respect of USD 100m audit negligence claim arising from failure to detect fraud.
  • Acting for an international law firm in a very complex matter involving allegations of negligence in relation to a debt push down structure.
  • Successfully defending international law firm in relation to claims arising from a failed bond transaction involving issues of English, New York and Italian Law.
  • Acting for insurers and providing strategic advice in relation to a claim that an auction house had negligently failed to identify a valuable artwork prior to its sale.
  • Successfully defending a negligence claim against a well known firm of actuaries arising from sex equalisation and re-drafted scheme documentation.
  • Advising the insurers of an international law firm in relation to strategy and conduct of the defence of a claim concerning alleged negligence in a cross border transaction involving multiple advisers.

Recognition

Consistently ranked as a key individual by the legal directories:

  • Band 2: Professional Negligence. Jim Oulton acts on a wide array of professional negligence claims on behalf of accountants, insurance brokers and insolvency practitioners. He has further strength in solicitors' liability, with notable experience of multi-jurisdictional matters. "Jim is super-responsive and has a brilliant tactical brain." "Jim is a very good lawyer who is very conscientious, all over the detail, thinks things through and gets to the bottom of issues." "He is very knowledgeable and helpful. I hold him in high regard for his handling of complex litigation issues." "Jim's knowledge and understanding of the regulatory environment are exemplary. His years of experience as a litigator enable him to see all angles of an investigation." Chambers UK
  • Listed as a key lawyer for Fraud and in the Hall of Fame for Professional Negligence, "An exceptional team, led by Jim Oulton with real class. They have strength and depth and no weak links." "Jim Oulton has superb grasp of the detail and thinks issues through with thoroughness and intelligence." "Jim Oulton brings his laser-like focus to all his cases. Opponents know that Jim will not let up in his relentless pursuit of the client’s best interests. One of the best!" Legal 500
  • Listed as a Leading individual for Professional Negligence and a key lawyer for Fraud, he is "one of the grandees of the professional negligence world" and is well known for his work for insolvency practitioners, accountants, lawyers and auditors. "Jim Oulton is one of the grandees of the professional negligence world. Jim is relentless in his pursuit of the right answer and clients always know they have a real battler in their corner." Legal 500

Education

  • Leeds University, BA (Hons)
  • CPE/Law Society Finals

Admissions

  • England and Wales
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