Robert is a litigation partner who advises on high-value and complex disputes, predominantly for clients within the agricultural sector. His practice centres on a wide range of inheritance disputes, as well as commercial disputes and wider contentious property matters.
Consistently ranked as a leading lawyer in his field by both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, with the latter recommending him across the fields of Agriculture, Commercial Litigation and Contentious Trusts and Probate respectively, Robert has been described in the legal directories and by commentators as “an exceptional operator”, “a top performer in the industry” and “among the very best in country”.
In particular, he is noted for “his commercial instinct which makes him a standout”, “his ability to absorb complex information followed by rapid analysis” and for his “extreme level of detail and Rolls-Royce service”. He is particularly noted for expertise in his proprietary estoppel claims, as evidenced by his instruction by the successful appellants in the Supreme Court case of Guest v Guest [2022] UKSC 27.
Inheritance disputes
The substantial part of Robert’s practice focuses on trust, wills and estate disputes. This includes issues such as the removal of executors and trustees, contentious issues of trust and estate administration, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 as well as challenges to the validity of wills. Robert is particularly noted for his expertise in proprietary estoppel claims. Robert is a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).
Commercial disputes
Robert’s commercial disputes practice involves advising on an array of agri-business disputes, typically focusing on farm partnership disputes as well claims in relation to breach of contract claims, shareholder disputes, civil fraud, through to professional negligence claims.
Property disputes
Robert deals with all sorts of real estate disputes and has a particular interest in co-ownership and proprietary estoppel disputes, having been involved in a number of high-profile cases. The balance of his practice is made up of disputes concerning trespass, nuisance as well as public and private rights of way issues.
Much of Robert’s work is confidential, but a summary of his relevant experience includes:
Acting on a number of high value proprietary estoppel claims, including Gee v Gee [2018] EWHC 1393 (Ch) and for the appellants in the Supreme Court case of Guest v Guest [2022] UKSC 27
Acting on numerous claims concerning challenges to wills on the grounds of due execution, capacity and undue influence
Advising on co-ownership of land claims, including issues relating to resulting and constructive trusts, trusts of land and ancillary orders for sale applications
Advising on a large number of high value farm partnership disputes, typically concerning the extent of partnership property, retirement provisions and its associated accounting
Advising on a large number of contractual disputes, ranging from sales of goods, misrepresentation and breach of warranty claims
Acting for claimants in professional negligence claim against their professional advisor
Robert James is a fearsome litigator; absolutely ruthless and a sight to behold in the negotiating room. He has a good strategic brain and sees the path through the most complex tangle of problems.- Legal 500
