James Davies

BA (Hons), BCL, FCA, TEP

James is a pragmatic and effective mediator. He has over 20 years experience of working with, and solving problems for, SMEs and family businesses. He trained as a chartered accountant before joining the Bar in 2004 where he now practices at one of the leading commercial and chancery sets in the fields of property, company law/ shareholder disputes and James trusts & estates.

TBG House (6)

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Profession

Barrister

Local Panel

South East

Specialist Panel

Accounting & Finance

Membership Level

Junior

James' commercial insight and collaborative style of working meant that training as a mediator was a logical step. He qualified in 2016 and is a registered associate mediator with the Civil Mediation Council. He has also conducted Early Neutral Evaluations for parties and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He has acted as an expert assessor on the IBA-CDRC Consensual Dispute Resolution Competition in Vienna and at the Bucerius Mediation Competition in Hamburg.

James' Experience

Areas of Expertise

Accountants' fees disputes
Contracts
Professional negligence involving accountants
Business sale agreements
Director/ Shareholder Disputes
Insolvency and misfeasance claims
Loans
Property (including boundary disputes)

Mediation Style

James has in depth legal knowledge. He has previously acted as the specialist sub-editor of three chapters of the Encyclopaedia of Professional Partnerships (farming, accountancy, and surveyors) and is now a contributing editor to Drafting Trusts and Will Trusts by James Kessler KC.

He is a Fellow of ICAEW and a full member of STEP with a particular interest in family businesses and succession planning in the broadest sense. His legal expertise is coupled with a strong analytical approach and grasp of detail, particularly with figures. This technical and commercial expertise enables James to bring fresh perspectives to the mediation. He helps the parties identify their interests and work towards them, identifying practical solutions.

James’ background as an accountant means he is particularly well placed to mediate accountancy related disputes. He has successfully mediated fees disputes with professional negligence counterclaims, and disputes over the sale of practices.

In 2021 he was appointed a Deputy District Judge assigned to the Midland Circuit where he sits in the Business and Property Courts, Financial Remedies, and Civil Work. He regularly conducts Early Neutral Evaluation and Financial Dispute Resolution hearings. In 2023 he was appointed a Recorder in the Crown Court.

History

8 December 2022

Shareholder

Outcome: Did Not Settle
3 April 2019

Shareholder Dispute

Outcome: Settled
25 January 2019

Shareholder Dispute

Outcome: Settled
11 October 2018

Commercial - dispute over loan

Outcome: Settled
16 May 2018

Insolvency and directors' misfeasance

Outcome: Did Not Settle
9 May 2018

Commercial - Dispute over sale of accountancy business

Outcome: Settled
31 January 2018

Commercial

Outcome: Settled
21 April 2017

Commercial

Outcome: Did Not Settle
23 December 2016

Commercial and Property

Outcome: Settled
20 October 2016

Boundary Dispute

Outcome: Did Not Settle
1 September 2016

Property

Outcome: Settled