Connect with meJames is a general liability lawyer with a diverse practice, but with a focus on construction and property damage, public liability, coverage and government related matters. He has developed market knowledge across industries including transport, construction, and NSW government agencies, working on multi-party and complex claims.
James acts on behalf of private sector major corporate brands and organisations, through to government departments and agencies across all three tiers: local, state and federal, as well as local and international insurers, advising on claims in the District, Supreme and Federal Courts.
In 2025, James undertook a secondment at icare as a Technical Claims Manager where he focused on the Construction Risk Insurance Fund portfolio (first and third party), as well as the broader Treasury Managed Fund litigated claims. This secondment provided James with deep understanding and insights into the operational and regulatory challenges facing government agencies and icare in the context of complex claims and litigation.
James’ approach balances technical precision with practical insight, ensuring effective outcomes for his clients in complex and sensitive matters, enabling his clients to achieve desired outcomes, with confidence in the management of associated risk.
Property & Construction
- Advising and defending a government agency from a property damage claim alleged to have been caused by a large infrastructure project. It was alleged that this resulted in significant land subsidence and subsequent cracking and foundation damage. James advised his client on strategy, which included complex insurance and coverage issued, which led to a sensible commercial outcome.
- Advising an Insurer and defending a manufacturer and supplier of allegedly combustible ACP cladding against claims for property damage and misleading and deceptive conduct. James was able to extricate the supplier from the multi-party proceedings for a sensible commercial amount.
- Acting for an Insurer and defending a maintenance contractor from a claim involving the allegedly negligent performance of testing which resulted in over $8m worth of damage. James assisted with negotiating an extremely favourable settlement.
Intentional Torts
- Successfully defending the State in a claim for malicious prosecution, assault, battery and trespass to goods, including a personal injury claim in the Supreme Court. James instructed on the successful defence of the matter, setting new common law precedent in NSW, and again in the subsequent complex bankruptcy issues (relating to the Plaintiff) which arose following delivery of Judgment. He secured an outcome which had positive operational and portfolio implications, as well as a substantial cost order for the State.
Other
- Advising and acting for an Insurer in the matter of Trajkovski v Commonwealth Insurance Ltd (No. 2) [2020] NSWDC 694, a litigated coverage and indemnity dispute with an insured involving complex allegations of fraud under s 56(1) and s 60(1)(e) of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth). The matter proceeded to hearing in the District Court of New South Wales in which judgment was entered for the insurer.
- Accident, Health and Travel Claims
- Construction and Infrastructure
- Government
- Personal Injury
- Property Damage
- Construction and Infrastructure
- Government
- Australian Insurance Law Association