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He has a fantastic grasp of the law combined with great understanding of the technical and commercial side of construction.

CHAMBERS UK 2025
About

James Stewart deals with a mix of contentious and non-contentious development work for clients. He is Head of Real Estate, a full service department of seven teams and 160 people.

James is a solicitor focusing on development and development finance work in residential, commercial, and mixed-use schemes including drafting, negotiating and finalising contracts and appointments and supporting documentation.

He is also involved in dispute avoidance advisory work and adjudications. He acts for a mix of developer and funder clients, along with professional consultants and specialist sub-contractors.

James advises from project commencement through to completion, including outstanding defects and account issues. He specifically advises on the original set up of projects (whether engineering, commercial or residential) including professional appointments, bonds, warranties and construction contracts, any funding issues related to the project, and on the construction aspects of development agreements and related documentation.

He works closely with clients throughout the design and construction phases and on all matters relating to completion, disposal and settlement of accounts.

On the contentious side, James undertakes mediation, adjudication and arbitration and including on professional negligence, loss and expense claims, delay and disruption, bond claims, defects and final account claims as well as issues arising out of contract determination and insolvency.

Recent work

  • Advising a contractor on the design and construction of The Collective, Canary Wharf, including negotiations upon terms of the contract and supporting documents, to the value of circa £60m.
  • Advising the developer on forward funding and construction aspects of a £135m 650 unit residential scheme forward sold to a Scandinavian fund.
  • Advising the developer on forward funding and construction aspects of a £150m 600 unit residential and mixed use scheme forward sold to a PRS operator backed by a US fund.

Accolades

  • "I like James' no-nonsense approach." Chambers UK 2025
  • "James Stewart is an excellent lawyer." Chambers UK 2025
  • Ranked Band 6, Construction: Non-Contentious (London Firms), Chambers UK 2025
  • Ranked Band 6, Construction: Non-contentious, Chambers UK 2024
  • "James fights his client's corner well." Chambers UK 2024
  • "James is an excellent communicator and tailors his advice to suit business needs." Chambers UK 2024
  • "James is an excellent problem solver." Chambers UK 2024
  • Ranked Band 6, Construction: Non-contentious, Chambers UK 2023
  • ''James is a strategic thinker, and his problem-solving ability is why we instruct James again and again.'' Chambers UK 2023
  • ''James's support and knowledge on construction matters is both extensive and invaluable.'' Chambers UK 2023

Did you know

James loves good food and wine and spends his spare time supporting those passions.

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