James Pearce-Smith has a strong commercial practice. ‘He has a very attractive advocacy style and combines excellent legal and factual analysis forcefully.’ James is always good at providing clear, commercial advice and analysis in complex cases.’ ‘He provides excellent service and is very user-friendly.’ “

Chambers UK 2024, Commercial Disputes Resolution

James is the head of our commercial team and has over 25 years’ experience as a commercial litigator, including 8 years as a commercial litigation solicitor at two major law firms before transferring to the Bar in 2002.

As a barrister, James has continued to specialise in commercial litigation, representing businesses from SMEs to major international companies (such as Airbus and Dyson) in a broad range of commercial disputes across a wide spectrum of industries (including IT, manufacturing, agriculture, food processing and the rail industry). As well as disputes between companies, James also regularly advises on share purchase disputes and claims against directors and employees for breaches of post-termination covenants and other breaches of duty.

James has strong analytical and numerical skills, and the ability to get to grips quickly with the technicalities and nuances of commercial disputes, no matter what the context. His approach is to get to the heart of the issue as directly as possible, to provide clients with effective and commercially-focused advice.

James has considerable experience of representing clients in trials, injunction hearings and other contested applications, typically in the Business & Property Courts, the High Court and arbitrations, and often against QCs. He also uses his skills as a qualified mediator to assist clients in commercial mediations.

Cases

See all

Resources

See all

Directory Quotes

James is very user-friendly, knowledgeable, calm, flexible and overall a pleasure to work with.”

The Legal 500 2024, Commercial Litigation

James is known for his attention to detail.”

The Legal 500 2024, Company and Insolvency

James is a really good lawyer who specialises in commercial law.”

Chambers UK 2024, Company

James is a strong junior handling partnership dissolutions and disputes, often within the agricultural and healthcare sectors. ‘He was able to grasp all the issues very quickly and built up a rapport with the clients. He ran rings around counsel on the other side.’ ‘He is very good, very softly spoken, but very thorough and comes across well to the client. He is also a very effective advocate.’ “

Chambers UK 2024, Partnership

James is a very effective advocate. He has a thorough grasp of details and presents the issues in a comprehensive but extremely clear order.”

The Legal 500 2023, Commercial Litigation

James has a strong commercial practice, covering contractual disputes and breaches of agreement, as well as specialising in professional negligence and construction-related claims.’ ‘James is incredibly sharp and is great with clients.’ “

Chambers UK 2023, Commercial Dispute Resolution

James is a strong junior and former solicitor handling partnership dissolutions and disputes, often within the agricultural and healthcare sectors. He also handles cases regarding LLPs.”

Chambers UK 2023, Partnership

James exudes an aura of knowledge and confidence. He is capable of providing case-changing analysis.”

Legal 500 2022, Commercial Litigation

James is really succinct and clear. His pleadings are detailed and he has strong analytical skills.”

chambers uk 2022, COMMERCIAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Cuts to the heart of a case and addresses the true issues, with a level of legal knowledge that instils confidence in his clients.”

chambers uk 2021, commercial litigation

A very good commercial barrister who was a very experienced solicitor. He is very good at handling an expert witness.”

Chambers UK 2021, Commercial Dispute Resolution

Seminars & Events

See all

  • Qualifications & awards:

    • MA (Cantab)
    • Admitted as a Solicitor 1994

  • Professional memberships:

    • Chancery Bar Association

  • James Pearce-Smith is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please read here.