Overview

James is the Head of Real Estate Disputes and a partner in the firm's Dispute Resolution team, helping clients arrive at the right solution to their issue, minimising impact and maximising success. He is supported by our extensive dispute resolution practice with a proven track record in the highest-profile cases and cross-border, multi-sector expertise. He specialises in real estate and insolvency disputes relating to real estate assets and professional negligence claims.

James has particular expertise in advising institutional and commercial landlords and occupiers, financial institutions, energy generators and high net worth individuals in relation to commercial landlord/tenant disputes (including large-scale rent reviews and business tenancy renewals), real property disputes, portfolio and high-complexity residential disputes, property related insolvency, professional negligence and alternative dispute resolution and mediation.

James regularly provides lectures and training to landowner and banking clients on all aspects of landlord and tenant law and on the impact of various insolvency procedures on leases and security property.

Experience
  • Acting for Bristol Rovers football club in dispute over the sale of its stadium to Sainsbury's. This matter went to the Court of Appeal in January 2016.
  • Acting for Co-Operative Bank and Grant Thornton defending proceedings challenging the appointment of BVI Administrative Receivers over a West London hotel.
  • Advising an international investment bank in relation to a significant dilapidations claim relating to one of its central London offices.
  • Advising an international investment bank in relation to three large-scale rent reviews of office premises in central London.
  • Acting for The Crown Estate in contested forfeiture proceedings relating to commercial premises in central London.

What others say...

James Sutherland is excellent in all aspects. His understanding of the law and reading of the situation are second to none, and I am always impressed by his ability to give the answer to a question on the spot.

Chambers UK 2024