Profile

Year of Call:
2014Overview
James undertakes a variety of complex corporate and commercial work in the State and Federal Courts of Australia. He acts for a broad range of domestic and international clients including ASX200-listed companies, high net-worth individuals, directors, shareholders, company liquidators, banks and government entities. James has experience in construction litigation, class actions, arbitration, contract law, competition and consumer law, insolvency, corporations law, and trusts and administrative law.
James has been listed in the Best Lawyers® Australia (2022-24) for construction litigation. He is an associate member of CIArb and has recently been engaged in several large class actions (for plaintiffs and defendants) involving shareholder actions for misleading and deceptive conduct, pure economic loss arising from large-scale infrastructure projects, and the application of competition law to state-owned electricity generators.
Before joining Level Twenty Seven Chambers, James worked at Linklaters in London, and at Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Mallesons Stephen Jaques in Brisbane. He was an associate to Chief Justice Keane (as his Honour then was) in the Federal Court of Australia.
James graduated from the University of Queensland in 2010 with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Economics (Hons) with the University Medal. He also holds a Bachelor of Civil Law (Distinction) from the University of Oxford.
Experience
RECENT EXPERIENCE
> Briefed on behalf of Gladstone Ports Corporation Limited defending a class action claiming loss and damage arising from a large dredging project (judgment available here) (instructed by King & Wood Mallesons).
> Acting for the successful applicant under ss 232 and 233 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (judgments available here and here) (instructed by Bridge Brideaux Solicitors).
> Acting for Australia Pacific LNG Pty Limited in a $200 m plus insurance claim against multiple defendants (instructed by Clayton Utz).
> Acting for an international commodity trader in proceedings to enforce a $30 m arbitral award issued under LCIA rules (instructed by Clayton Utz).
> Acting for the State of Western Australia in proceedings to resist the enforcement of an arbitral award by Mineralogy Pty Ltd and International Minerals Pty Ltd (judgment available here) (instructed by Clayton Utz).
> Acting for an international mining company in relation to foreign arbitral proceedings involving multiple claims totalling over $4 bn (instructed by Corrs Chambers Westgarth).
> Acting for Telstra in proceedings in the Queensland Supreme Court (judgment available here) (instructed by King & Wood Mallesons).
> Acting for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency in regulatory proceedings concerning a health practitioner (judgments available here and here) (instructed by Minter Ellison).
> Acting for shareholders in a class action against Ardent Leisure in the Federal Court (judgment available here) (instructed by Piper Alderman).
> Briefed in a class action in the Federal Court of Australia against electricity generators for alleged contravention of s 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (instructed by Piper Alderman).
> Acting for Scentre Group in relation to COVID-related insolvency proceedings concerning a retail tenant (judgment available here) (instructed by Holding Redlich).
APPELLATE
> Gladstone Ports Corporation Limited v Murphy Operator Pty Ltd [2024] QCA 74 May 2024. Acting (led by R Lancaster SC) for Gladstone Ports Corporation in defence of a class action concerning the construction of large-scale port infrastructure (instructed by King & Wood Mallesons).
> N Pty Ltd & A Pty Ltd [2021] FamCAFC 134 87. Acting (unled) for the successful respondent in an appeal concerning oppression proceedings under ss 232 and 233 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (instructed by Bridge Brideaux Solicitors).
> Greystone Distributions (Qld & NSW) Pty Ltd & Ors v Rostron Carlyle Solicitors & Ors [2020] QCA Acting (unled) for the successful respondent in an action seeking joinder to a trial involving claims for lost opportunity arising out of allegations of misleading or deceptive conduct, and breach of contract (instructed by DLA Piper).
> Civil Mining & Construction Pty Ltd v Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Limited; Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Limited v Civil Mining & Construction Pty Ltd [2019] QCA Acting (led by D Kelly KC) in relation to an appeal concerning delay claims arising out of the construction for a coal export terminal (instructed by Corrs Chambers Westgarth).
>Makings Custodian Pty Ltd v Orchid Avenue Realty Pty Ltd [2018] QCA 33. Acting (led by P Roney KC) for the successful purchaser of a shopping centre on the Gold Coast in a claim for misleading or deceptive conduct (instructed by Ramsden Law).
> Comgroup Supplies Pty Ltd v Products for Industry Pty Ltd & Anor [2016] QCA Acting for a corporate appellant in relation to recovery of funds dissipated due to an employee’s fraud (instructed by Corrs Chambers Westgarth).
> Sandhurst Trustees Limited v Clarke [2015] FCAFC 21; (2015) 321 ALR Acting for a subsidiary of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank in relation to an appeal from a decision granting preliminary discovery under r 7.23 of the Federal Court Rules 2011 (instructed by in-house counsel).
ARBITRATION
> Mineralogy Pty Ltd & Anor v The State of Western Australia [2020] QSC 344. Acting (led by S Doyle KC) for the State of Western Australia in relation to setting aside an order obtained ex parte purporting to enforce an arbitral award (instructed by Clayton Utz).
> Acting in an international arbitration seated in London under the LCIA rules concerning a $150 m claim under a commodities contract (instructed by Winter Scott LLP).
> Acting for one of Australia’s largest engineering and infrastructure companies in relation to a AUD 200 m domestic arbitration under the ACICA Rules (instructed by Corrs Chambers Westgarth).
> Acting for a national energy and resources company in relation to various ICC arbitrations concerning large- scale mining projects (instructed by Corrs Chambers Westgarth).
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
> Porteous v Pharmacy Board of Australia [2021] QCAT 286; Porteous v Pharmacy Board of Australia (No. 2) [2021] QCAT 390. Acting for the Pharmacy Board of Australia in relation to an application to review the suspension of a pharmacist under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Queensland) (instructed by Minter Ellison).
> Carmody v Information Commissioner (No 2) [2018] QCATA Acting (led by S Doyle KC) in a series of cases concerning access to judicial documents under the Right to Information Act 2009(Qld) (instructed by King & Wood Mallesons).
> SMM Solomon & Others v Axiom KB Limited & Others [2016] SBCA Acting (led by G Gibson KC) for a large international mining company in relation to judicial review proceedings in the Solomon Islands (instructed by Ashurst).
> Acting (led by G Gibson KC) for one of Australia’s largest rail freight operators in relation to judicial review proceedings (instructed by King & Wood Mallesons).
> Advising (led by S Doyle KC) a multinational mining entity on the impact of proposed legislative changes on Queensland mining operations (instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills).
BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION
> Civil Mining & Construction Pty Ltd v Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Limited; Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Limited v Civil Mining & Construction Pty Ltd [2019] QCA Acting (led by D Kelly KC) in relation to an appeal concerning delay claims arising out of the construction for a coal export terminal (instructed by Corrs Chambers Westgarth).
> Prime Constructions (Qld) Pty Ltd v HPS (Qld) Pty Ltd & Ors [2019] QSC Acting (led by B O’Donnell KC) for the successful respondent resisting a challenge to an adjudicator’s decision under the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017(Qld) (instructed by Corrs Chambers Westgarth).
> Sunshine Coast Regional Council v Earthpro Pty Ltd [2015] QSC Acting for the principal in an application to set aside an adjudicator’s award under the Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004(Qld) (instructed by Corrs Chambers Westgarth).
> Acting (led by D Miller SC) in relation to claims in the New South Wales Supreme Court arising out of the construction of mining-related infrastructure (instructed by Corrs Chambers Westgarth).
CLASS ACTIONS
> Ingram as trustee for the Ingram Superannuation Fund v Ardent Leisure Limited (Settlement Approval) [2024] FCA 836. Acting (led by W Edwards KC) for the shareholders in a class action against Ardent Leisure Limited (instructed by Piper Alderman).
> Gladstone Ports Corporation Limited v Murphy Operator Pty Ltd [2024] QCA 74 May 2024. Acting (led by R Lancaster SC) for Gladstone Ports Corporation in defence of a class action concerning the construction of large-scale port infrastructure (instructed by King & Wood Mallesons).
> Murphy Operator & Ors v Gladstone Ports Corporation (No 9) [2023] QSC 35 March 2023. Acting (led by D Clothier KC) for Gladstone Ports Corporation in defence of a class action concerning the construction of large-scale port infrastructure (instructed by King & Wood Mallesons).
> Ingram as trustee for the Ingram Superannuation Fund v Ardent Leisure Limited (No 2) [2020] FCA 1390. Acting (led by W Edwards KC) for the shareholders in a class action against Ardent Leisure Limited (instructed by Piper Alderman).
> Ingram as trustee for the Ingram Superannuation Fund v Ardent Leisure Limited [2020] FCA 1302. Acting (led by W Edwards KC) for the shareholders in a class action against Ardent Leisure Limited (instructed by Piper Alderman).
CORPORATIONS / GENERAL COMMERCIAL
> A Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Storrer Family Trust & N Pty Ltd [2023] FedCFamC1F 1124. Acting (led by M Hodge KC) for a minority shareholder in oppression proceedings under ss 232 and 233 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (instructed by Bridge Brideaux Solicitors).
> N Pty Ltd & A Pty Ltd [2021] FamCAFC 134 87. Acting (unled) for the successful respondent in an appeal concerning oppression proceedings under ss 232 and 233 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (instructed by Bridge Brideaux Solicitors).
> Giffin v Sensis Pty Ltd & Anor [2020] QSC 357. Acting (unled) for Telstra in interlocutory proceedings concerning a contractual dispute (instructed by King & Wood Mallesons).
> Mio Art Pty Ltd v Mango Boulevard Pty Ltd [2018] QSC Acting for a corporate defendant in resisting an application for security for costs.
> Makings Custodian Pty Ltd v CBRE (C) Pty Ltd [2017] QSC Acting (led by P Roney KC) for the successful
plaintiff in a claim for misleading or deceptive conduct under the Australian Consumer Law (instructed by Ramsden Law).
> LPD Holdings (Aust) Pty Ltd v Russells [2017] QSC Acting (led by P McQuade KC) for a law firm in relation to an application for summary judgment (instructed by Russells).
>Equititrust Ltd (in Liq)(Receiver Appointed)(Receivers and Managers Appointed) v Equititrust Ltd (in Liq) (No 3) [2016] FCA 738. Acting (led by P McQuade KC) for a former director in relation to claims of legal professional privilege (instructed by James Conomos Lawyers).
> Acting (led by P McQuade KC) for a former company director in a AUD 150 m claim brought by a responsible entity of a managed investment scheme under Chapter 5C of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (instructed by James Conomos Lawyers).
> Advising (led by A Boe) a former company director in relation to potential criminal liability under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) arising from a failed commercial transaction.
> Advising a corporate shareholder in oppression proceedings under ss 232 and 233 of the Corporations Act 2001(Cth) (instructed by Thomson Geer).
> Acting (led by M Trim) for a director in a shareholder dispute concerning control of a start-up enterprise (instructed by Mullins Law).
> Acting (led by S Doyle KC) for a Swiss company against the State of Queensland in a contractual dispute concerning the manufacture and development of intellectual property worth over AUD 200 m (instructed by Jones Day).
INSOLVENCY
> Jahani, in the matter of Miniso Master Franchisee Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) [2020] FCA Acting (unled) for Scentre Group in an application under ss 443A and 443B of the Corporations Act 2001(Cth) by the administrators of Miniso Master Franchisee Pty Ltd (instructed by Holding Redlich).
> Graham & Linda Huddy Nominees Pty Ltd v Byrne [2017] FCA Acting (unled) in relation to an application for leave to proceed against a bankrupt under s 58(3)(b) of the Bankrupty Act 1966 (instructed by James Conomos Lawyers).
> Rivercity Motorway Management Ltd (in Liquidation) (No.2) [2016] FCA Acting in an application under ss 477(2B) and 511 of the Corporations Act 2001(Cth) for liquidators to enter into a Settlement Deed compromising substantial litigation (instructed by JWS).
> Acting (unled) in an application in the Queensland Supreme Court for the issue of a summons to attend a public examination under Part 5.9 of the Corporations Act 2001(Cth) (instructed by Baker McKenzie).
> Acting (led by S Doyle KC) for the liquidators of Forge Group Power in relation to a construction dispute with Siemens Limited (instructed by Norton Rose).
> Advising (led by S Doyle KC) in relation to a Deed of Company Arrangement concerning a AUD 600 million supply agreement for a large-scale infrastructure project (instructed by Ashurst).
Recommendations
Australian Financial Review Best Lawyers®
2022-25 – Construction/Infrastructure Law
Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession
2023 – Leading Construction & Infrastructure Junior Counsel (QLD)
Appointments
2019 Bar Council (Council Member)
2014 New Bar Committee - Bar Association of Queensland
Member
Society of Construction Law (Australia)
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), Associate member
Selden Society
Bar Association of Queensland
Career
2014 Barrister, Queensland
2013 Lawyer, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
2011 Legal Advisor (Australian Qualified), Linklaters LLP, London
2010 Associate to Chief Justice Keane, Federal Court of Australia
2008 Paralegal, Mallesons Stephen Jaques, Brisbane
Education
2023 University of Sydney, MTax
2013 University of Oxford, Bachelor of Civil Law (Distinction)
2010 University of Queensland, Bachelor of Economics (Hons I)
2010 University of Queensland, Bachelor of Laws (Hons I)
Awards
2024 George and Matilda Harris Scholarship Prize for the Masters of Taxation
2010 University of Queensland Law School Valedictorian
2010 University of Queensland Economics University Medallist