We provide a wide range of advocacy and advisory services in the UK and internationally. We pride ourselves on our approachable and friendly outlook and our ability to build strong relationships with clients. Our barristers have received over 40 individual rankings covering 15 practice areas across the legal directories, including in Civil Fraud, Commercial Litigation, Insolvency and Travel amongst others. We are supported by a highly experienced, friendly and responsive practice management team, headed by James Donovan.
James is ranked by the Legal 500 as a ‘Rising Star’ (Tier 1) for his offshore work and as ‘Leading Junior’ (Tier 1) in ‘crypto and blockchain assets’ matters. He is especially experienced in commercial litigation and arbitration, especially cases involving fraud, corporate governance, digital assets, artificial intelligence (AI), or cross-border issues.
James has been deeply engaged in the digital assets/blockchain space since 2017. He also contributed his expertise in digital assets as a legal consultant for the Bank of England where his work focused on central bank digital currencies.
Beyond his work at the English Bar, James maintains a busy practice as an attorney-at-law in the Caribbean. He has worked on disputes in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, Bermuda, Bahamas, and more. As a Bajan citizen and holder of the Legal Education Certificate, James is one of a handful of English barristers who can appear before Caribbean courts without applying for temporary admission for each case.
Before joining the English Bar, James practised in Barbados (where he grew up) and trained in Trinidad and Tobago. He was also a judicial assistant to Lady Justice Asplin of the English Court of Appeal, where he worked on appeals in commercial chancery and public law disputes.
His recent and ongoing cases include:
James’ counsel has covered a broad spectrum of legal issues, including claims to recover digital assets, US$20m public sale and token generation events, central bank digital currencies, launching and governing a decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO), issuing privacy tokens, the enforceability of simple agreements for future tokens (SAFTs), and regulatory requirements under the UK’s AML/CTF regime.
In addition to his work above, his work in this area includes:
Commercial Litigation and Arbitration
James has been instructed in a wide range of commercial disputes, both as sole and junior counsel. He has appeared in the Commercial Court and London Circuit Commercial Court of England and Wales and various Caribbean courts. James frequently handles cases with an international dimension, collaborating with firms and counsel from multiple jurisdictions. He has particular experience in disputes under LCIA and ICC Rules.
In addition to his work above, his work in these areas includes:
James is an expert in offshore litigation and Privy Council appeals, representing clients in areas such as fraud, corporate governance, public law, and tax. His deep understanding of local laws, practices, and culture in the Caribbean comes from his extensive experience living and practising as an attorney-at-law in the region. James leverages his Caribbean experience to address legal challenges with a deep understanding of regional nuances.
In addition to his work above, his work in these areas includes:
In addition to his work above, his work in these areas includes:
In addition to his work above, his work in this area includes:
In addition to his work above, his work in these areas includes:
Administrative and Constitutional Law
In addition to his work above, his work in these areas includes:
James is able to accept instructions directly from members of the public, companies and other entities through the public access scheme (also known as direct access). He is happy to accept instructions on a direct basis in appropriate cases. If you wish to instruct James on a direct basis, please speak to the practice managers.
For more information on public access, please see the Bar Council website.
Please contact us either by telephone: +44 (0)20 7415 7800 or email: clerks@3harecourt.com