James Knott

James is ranked as leading junior in Banking & Finance by the Legal 500 (“‘James is very responsive and hardworking. His ability to marshal the detail and his written advocacy set him apart’”) and a significant number of James’ cases involve banking or finance-related issues, including in relation to developing areas such as claims involving the Quincecare duty. James has particular experience of acting (both as a junior and as sole counsel, and both for and against banks) in complex, high-value cases in this field, including twice in the Supreme Court (Stanford International Bank v. HSBC and Buyers v. SNB). His experience includes:

• Acting (with Tony Peto KC at first instance and as sole counsel in the Court of Appeal) for a major UK bank in successful committal applications against multiple defendants in connection with alleged breaches of a number of freezing orders: see Barclays Bank Plc v. Dylan [2024] EWHC 1994 (liability); [2024] EWHC 2776 (Ch) (sentencing); and [2025] EWCA Civ 20 (appeal).
• Acting as sole counsel for a major UK bank in obtaining a third party disclosure order against a another bank, in circumstances where the application was contested by a third party on numerous grounds: see Barclays Bank Plc v Citibank, N.A [2024] EWHC 53 (Ch) (and see also [2023] EWHC 3523 (Ch), in which James successfully resisted a last-minute adjournment application).
• Acting (with Jonathan Crow CVO, KC) for Saad Investments Co Ltd and its joint liquidators in their appeal to the Supreme Court in relation to the scope of knowing receipt claims where the underlying beneficial interest in property wrongfully paid away in breach of trust is extinguished by the method of transfer: Byers v Saudi National Bank [2023] UKSC 51; [2024] 2 WLR 237 (Lord Hodge DPSC noting that “[t]he extended written and oral submissions on this issue … have been of the highest order”).
• Acting (with Andrew de Mestre KC) for a listed global technology company in an action for rectification in connection with a bridge finance facility, including in connection with an urgent interim injunction to prevent enforcement action.
• Advising (with Andrew de Mestre KC) the liquidators of a UK company in relation to potential Quincecare claims against an international bank.
• Acting (with Andrew de Mestre KC and Tony Peto KC) for a major UK bank in a multimillion pound claim in conspiracy and unjust enrichment against multiple defendant (including obtaining domestic and worldwide freezing injunctions and bringing committal applications in respect of alleged breaches of the same)
• Acting (with Richard Hill KC) for the claimants in the DIFC Courts in a regulatory and breach of contract claim against a major bank (CFI 062/2021)
• Acting (with Justin Fenwick KC, Christopher Parker KC and Andrew de Mestre KC) for the Liquidators of Stanford International Bank Ltd in proceedings against HSBC arising out of a multi-billion dollar Ponzi fraud (see e.g. Stanford International Bank Ltd (In Liquidation) v HSBC Bank Plc [2020] EWHC 2232 (Ch), in the Court of Appeal ([2021] 1 WLR 3507) and in the Supreme Court ([2023] 2 W.L.R. 79). The case invovled a claim under the Quincecare duty (a duty owed by banks to their customers not to act on instructions where the bank is on enquiry as to a possible fraud), with the Supreme Court giving guidance as to the scope of loss under such a claim.
• Acting (with Richard Salter KC and Andrew Clutterbuck KC) for a major trust corporation in a Part 8 claim in connection with the long-running insolvencies of the Australian Bell Group of companies (see Re The Law Debenture Trust Corporation plc [2020] EWHC 1792 (Ch))
• Advising (with Robert Miles QC) an override agent on its duties in connection with a complex debt restructuring.
• Advising (with Robert Miles QC) on the construction of representation and solvency clauses in a complex swap transaction between a Dutch company and a major European bank.
• Acting (with Robert Miles QC and Hilary Stonefrost) for JP Morgan Europe Limited in its successful defence of claims brought against it by mezzanine lenders following a nonconsensual restructuring under a syndicated finance agreement: Saltri III Ltd v. MD Mezzanine SA SICAR & Others [2012] EWHC 3025 (Comm); [2013] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 661; [2013] 2 B.C.L.C. 217.

James is recommended in the Legal 500, Chambers and Partners and Who’s Who Legal as a leading Junior in company law, and has been ranked in Chambers and Partners for over a decade. According to clients who spoke to Chambers and Partners he is “extremely good on the facts and he has a very analytical mind” and is “always helpful and a pleasure to work with”, whilst according to the Legal 500 he is “‘Exceptionally bright, methodical, calm, responsive and invested in matters he is instructed in”. He has particular experience of acting for clients at all stages of shareholders’ disputes, including in connection with derivative claims and petitions brought under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006. His work in this area includes:

• Acting for a director of an SME in successfully resisting an administration application brought by another director: Re LYHFL Ltd [2023] EWHC 2585 (Ch).
• Advising (with George Bompas KC) a 50% shareholder in a valuable technology company on a dispute with their co-shareholder.
• Successfully acting for a claimant in a week long remote trial of a claim for specific performance of a share allotment contract.
• Successfully defending a short-notice application for an injunction seeking to exclude at 50% shareholder from active participation in a company pending the hearing of a 994 petition, and obtaining a costs order in the client’s favour in the full amount claimed.
• Acting as sole counsel for the Petitioner in a week-long trial of a petition under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006, in relation to a family construction business: Weatherley v Weatherley [2018] EWHC 3201 (Ch); [2019] 1 B.C.L.C. 520
• Advising a shareholder in an international shipping management firm in relation to the defence of a threatened petition under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006
• Advising a shareholder / potential shareholder in a family healthcare business as to potential claims for specific performance of a share sale agreement
• Advising a shareholder in a multi-million baked-goods business as to potential remedies against a fellow shareholder.
• Acting for a company resisting an application under s.125 CA 2006 to rectify its register of members.
• Acting for a petitioner under s.994 CA 2006 through to a successful settlement in respect of a multi-million pound multimedia consultancy business.
• Acting as sole counsel for the Claimants on an application which saw the High Court endorse the use of “predictive coding” in e-disclosure for the first time, in what has been described as a “landmark ruling”: Pyrrho Investments Ltd v MWB Property Ltd [2016] EWHC 256 (Ch) (“Landmark ruling on predictive coding in disclosure”)
• Advising (with Richard Hill KC) a shareholder in a Scottish company in relation to an unfair prejudice petition brought before the Scottish Courts and a successful application by the shareholder in the Scottish Courts for injunctive relief to prevent a vote on a hostile resolution seeking to strip the shareholder of its voting rights.
• Acting (with Andrew De Mestre KC, Orlando Fraser KC and Richard Millett KC) for a claimant energy investment company in an account of profits, following the diversion from it of a number of business opportunities relating to a potentially revolutionary oil and gas technology, culminating in a six week Enquiry before Mrs Justice Asplin in 2015 and two appeals in the Court of Appeal ([2021] Costs LR 133 and [2021] 1 WLR 2264).
• Acting (with Robert Miles QC) for a former public company in a multi-million pound claim against its former directors for alleged breaches of fiduciary duty.
• Acting as sole Counsel for an alleged de facto director in an action brought by joint liquidators for alleged breaches of fiduciary duty in connection with an multi-million pound VAT fraud.
• Acting (with Richard Hill KC) for the defendant shareholders in a dispute over the ownership of an electricity generating plant in the Quetta region of Pakistan.
• Acting for the petitioner in section 994 proceedings brought in respect of a group of estate agency companies.
• Advising and acting (with John Brisby KC) in relation to derivative proceedings brought by a healthcare software developer, including obtaining ex parte injunctions to prevent continued interference with the company’s business.
• Acting (with Peter Griffiths) for the Respondent and successful Cross-Petitioner in proceedings under s.994 CA 2006: Re Abbington Hotel Ltd [2011] EWHC 635 (Ch); [2012] 1 B.C.L.C. 410.
• Advising and acting (with Peter Griffiths) for the claimant and cross-respondent in proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court involving disputes in relation to a number of construction joint ventures and a derivative claim.

James provides advice and representation in connection with a range of commercial disputes and frequently appears in the Commercial Court and in commercial matters in the Chancery Division. He has experience of both trial work, appellate work (in both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court), obtaining and resisting interim relief and advising on and acting in committal applications (at both first instance and on appeal). James’s recent work in this area includes:

• Acting for a defendant generic pharmaceutical company in a contested (and successful) application to admit client representatives of the defendant into an “Attorney Eyes Only” tier of an agreed confidentiality order: see Eli Lilly & Co v. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd [2024] EWHC 2474 (Ch).
• Acting (with Tony Peto KC at first instance and as sole counsel in the Court of Appeal) for a major UK bank in successful committal applications against multiple defendants in connection with alleged breaches of a number of freezing orders: see Barclays Bank Plc v. Dylan [2024] EWHC 1994 (liability); [2024] EWHC 2776 (Ch) (sentencing); and [2025] EWCA Civ 20 (appeal).
• Acting for a major UK bank in successfully obtaining a limited civil restraint order against a foreign-domiciled corporation.
• Acting for a major UK bank in obtaining a third party disclosure order against a another bank, in circumstances where the application was contested by a third party on numerous grounds: see Barclays Bank Plc v Citibank, N.A [2024] EWHC 53 (Ch) (and see also [2023] EWHC 3523 (Ch), in which James successfully resisted a last-minute adjournment application).
• Acting (with Richard Millett KC) for a major international pharmaceutical firm in proceedings concerning the nature and amount of damages, if any, due under a settlement agreement arising out of the marketing and sale of a patented drug combination (including successfully resisting an application for preliminary issues: Eli Lilly & Co v Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited [2023] EWHC 68 (Ch).
• Acting (with Jonathan Crow CVO, KC) for Saad Investments Co Ltd and its joint liquidators in their appeal to the Supreme Court in relation to the scope of knowing receipt claims where the underlying beneficial interest in property wrongfully paid away in breach of trust is extinguished by the method of transfer: Byers v Saudi National Bank [2023] UKSC 51; [2024] 2 WLR 237 (Lord Hodge DPSC noting that “[t]he extended written and oral submissions on this issue … have been of the highest order”).
• Acting (leading Jack Fletcher) for an energy company in relation to potential claims arising from breaches of fiduciary duty.
• Acting (with Andrew de Mestre KC) for a listed global technology company in an action for rectification in connection with a bridge finance facility, including in connection with an urgent interim injunction to prevent enforcement action.
• Acting (with John Machell KC) for the corporate trustee of a Cayman STAR trust in proceedings brought by two Russian banks against members of the Mints family and others PJSC National Bank Trust v Mints [2023] EWHC 118 (Comm).
• Acting (with Andrew de Mestre KC and Tony Peto KC) for a major UK bank in a multimillion-pound claim in conspiracy and unjust enrichment against multiple defendant (including obtaining domestic and worldwide freezing injunctions and bringing committal applications in respect of alleged breaches of the same).
• Acting (with Richard Hill KC) for the claimants in the DIFC Courts in a regulatory and breach of contract claim against a major bank (CFI 062/2021).
• Advising liquidators of an English company in respect of potential claims in connection with an alleged international “cum-ex” fraud.
• Acting for a Defendant company and shareholder in a claim by a restructuring firm for a success fee.
• Acting for a joint venturer in respect of an English-law contractual dispute arising out of a luxury housing development in the Caribbean.
• Advising a party to a property development joint venture as to potential remedies against his co-venturer.
• Acting (with Jonathan Crow KC) for the Claimants in a multi-million pound solicitors’ negligence claim relating to the purchase of a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant.
• Advising a company in the transport sector in relation to a commission claim by a purported sale agent, including representing the client at a successful mediation
• Acting (with Jonathan Crow KC) for the defendants in a multi-million pound fraud claim and shareholders’ dispute over a successful family run bakery business.
• Acting (with Jonathan Crow KC) for Sonja Kohn in her successful defence of the high profile claim brought by the liquidators of Madoff Securities International Limited against its former directors and third parties: Madoff Securities International Ltd v. Raven & Ors [2013] EWHC 3147 (Comm); [2014] Lloyd’s Rep. F.C. 95 (one of The Lawyer’s “Top 10 cases of 2013″).
• Acting on behalf of the Receivers appointed in the high profile Commercial Court litigation between JSC BTA Bank and Mukhtar Ablyazov (alongside Gregory Denton-Cox, Andrew De Mestre and Robert Miles QC).
• Acting (with Hilary Stonefrost and Robert Miles QC) for JP Morgan Europe Limited in its successful defence of claims brought against it by mezzanine lenders following a non-consensual restructuring under a syndicated finance agreement: Saltri III Ltd v. MD Mezzanine SA SICAR & Others [2012] EWHC 3025 (Comm); [2013] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 661; [2013] 2 B.C.L.C. 217.

James is recommended by Chambers and Partners as a leading junior in Chancery: commercial. With commercial litigation by no means confined to the Commercial Court, James’s practice also sees him regularly appearing in the Chancery Division (at first instance and on appeal, including in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court) in a range of commercial disputes.

According to clients who spoke to Chambers and Partners, James “provides a KC level of service and expertise. He is very bright, reassuringly calm and possessed of excellent judgement. He is great on his feet and a real pleasure to work with” and “is very calm and assured, and just great to work with”. His recent work in this area includes:

• Acting for a defendant generic pharmaceutical company in a contested (and successful) application to admit client representatives of the defendant into an “Attorney Eyes Only” tier of an agreed confidentiality order: see Eli Lilly & Co v. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd [2024] EWHC 2474 (Ch).
• Acting (with Tony Peto KC at first instance and as sole counsel in the Court of Appeal) for a major UK bank in successful committal applications against multiple defendants in connection with alleged breaches of a number of freezing orders: see Barclays Bank Plc v. Dylan [2024] EWHC 1994 (liability); [2024] EWHC 2776 (Ch) (sentencing); and [2025] EWCA Civ 20 (appeal).
• Acting for a major UK bank in successfully obtaining a limited civil restraint order against a foreign-domiciled corporation.
• Acting for a major UK bank in obtaining a third party disclosure order against a another bank, in circumstances where the application was contested by a third party on numerous grounds: see Barclays Bank Plc v Citibank, N.A [2024] EWHC 53 (Ch) (and see also [2023] EWHC 3523 (Ch), in which James successfully resisted a last-minute adjournment application).
• Acting (with Richard Millett KC) for a major international pharmaceutical firm in proceedings concerning the nature and amount of damages, if any, due under a settlement agreement arising out of the marketing and sale of a patented drug combination (including successfully resisting an application for preliminary issues: Eli Lilly & Co v Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited [2023] EWHC 68 (Ch).
• Acting (with Jonathan Crow CVO, KC) for Saad Investments Co Ltd and its joint liquidators in their appeal to the Supreme Court in relation to the scope of knowing receipt claims where the underlying beneficial interest in property wrongfully paid away in breach of trust is extinguished by the method of transfer: Byers v Saudi National Bank [2023] UKSC 51; [2024] 2 WLR 237 (Lord Hodge DPSC noting that “[t]he extended written and oral submissions on this issue … have been of the highest order”).
• Acting (leading Zachery Kell) for a foreign domiciled trustee in connection with contentious proceedings concerning the beneficial ownership of trust assets.
• Acting (with John Machell KC) for the corporate trustee of a Cayman STAR trust in proceedings brought by two Russian banks against members of the Mints family and others PJSC National Bank Trust v Mints [2023] EWHC 118 (Comm).
• Acting (with Andrew de Mestre KC) for the successful respondent and appellant a complex appeal and cross-appeal heard over seven days in the Court of Appeal and generating two reported judgments dealing with numerous issues including costs, the scope of an account of profits, abuse of process, and allegations of misleading the court (Global Energy Horizons Corp v. Gray [2021] Costs LR 133 and [2021] 1 WLR 2264).
• Successfully acting for a claimant in a week long remote trial of a claim for specific performance of a share allotment contract.
• Successfully defending a short-notice application for an injunction seeking to exclude at 50% shareholder from active participation in a company pending the hearing of a 994 petition, and obtaining a costs order in the client’s favour in the full amount claimed.
• Acting as sole trial advocate for the successful claimants in a contested charging order application to determine the beneficial ownership of a residential property and whether a purported trust deed was a sham document: Joint Liquidators of Reynolds DIY Stores Ltd v Reynolds (15 August 2017, unreported);
• Acting (with Andrew De Mestre KC, Orlando Fraser KC and Richard Millett KC) for a claimant energy investment company in an account of profits, following the diversion from it of a number of business opportunities relating to a potentially revolutionary oil and gas technology, culminating in a six week Enquiry before Mrs Justice Asplin in 2015 ([2015] EWHC 2232 (Ch)) and numerous subsequent interim hearings;
• Acting (with Andrew De Mestre KC) to obtain disclosure of documentation and information from various third parties under the Court’s equitable jurisdiction to order the provision of information in relation to trust asset: Global Energy Horizons Corp v Gray [2014] EWHC 2925 (Ch).
• Acting at first instance and on appeal (with Richard Hill and Nigel Tozzi KC) for the claimant in a claim against a number of major manufacturers in relation to a multi-billion dollar construction project in the Middle East: Mahmood v Mitsubishi Electric Europe BV & Ors [2013] EWHC 44 (Ch).

Fraud does not confine itself to particular practice areas or divisions, and common to much of James’s work in both the Chancery Division and the Commercial Court are disputes involving serious allegations of dishonesty. James has experience of acting at all stages of such disputes, from the initial advice, to drafting pleadings, seeking or resisting interim relief, advising on case management and through to representation at trial. His recent work involving allegations of fraud or serious dishonesty includes the following:

• Acting (with Jonathan Crow CVO, KC) for Saad Investments Co Ltd and its joint liquidators in their appeal to the Supreme Court in relation to the scope of knowing receipt claims where the underlying beneficial interest in property wrongfully paid away in breach of trust is extinguished by the method of transfer: Byers v Saudi National Bank [2023] UKSC 51; [2024] 2 WLR 237 (Lord Hodge DPSC noting that “[t]he extended written and oral submissions on this issue … have been of the highest order”).
• Acting for an international investment fund in proceedings alleging fraudulent misrepresentation by financial intermediaries in connection with a number of multi-million pound transactions.
• Acting (with Andrew de Mestre KC and Tony Peto KC) for a major UK bank in a multimillion pound claim in conspiracy and unjust enrichment against multiple defendant (including obtaining domestic and worldwide freezing injunctions and bringing contempt applications in connection with alleged breaches of the injunctions).
• Advising liquidators of an English company in respect of potential claims in connection with an alleged international “cum-ex” fraud.
• Acting for the liquidators of Stanford International Bank Ltd
• Advising an offshore trust in respect of English law issues arising from a worldwide freezing order made against certain potential beneficiaries.
• Acting as sole trial advocate for the successful claimants in a contested charging order application. The claim relied in part on successfully showing that a purported declaration of trust was a sham: Joint Liquidators of Reynolds DIY Stores Ltd v Reynolds (15 August 2017, unreported);
• Acting (with Jonathan Crow KC) for the defendants in a multi-million pound fraud and conspiracy claim and shareholders’ dispute over a successful family run bakery business.
• Advising (with Robert Miles QC) a former shareholder in a public company in relation to potential claims under s.90 of FSMA 2000 and for insider trading and unlawful means conspiracy
• Acting (with Jonathan Crow KC) for Sonja Kohn in her successful defence of the high profile claim brought by the liquidators of Madoff Securities International Limited against its former directors and third parties: Madoff Securities International Ltd v. Raven & Ors [2013] EWHC 3147 (Comm); [2014] Lloyd’s Rep. F.C. 95 (one of The Lawyer’s “Top 10 cases of 2013″).
• Acting on behalf of the Receivers appointed in the high profile Commercial Court litigation between JSC BTA Bank and Mukhtar Ablyazov (alongside Gregory Denton-Cox, Andrew De Mestre and Robert Miles QC)
• Acting (with Rachel Oakeshott and Stephen Auld KC) for the claimants in a multi-million pound claim in deceit, conspiracy and professional negligence against a solicitor in connection with the purchase of a substantial piece of real property on the river Thames.
• Acting (with Tom Gentleman and John Brisby KC) for the successful Defendant in a three week trial in the Queen’s Bench Division involving a multi-million pound contract dispute and findings of fraud against the Claimant (Butler-Creagh v. Hersham [2011] EWHC 2525 (QB)), including successfully obtaining ex parte injunctive relief in respect of a prospective costs liability.

James has experience of advising and acting for clients in relation to offshore litigation. His recent work in this area includes:

• Acting (with Richard Hill KC) for the claimants in the DIFC Courts in a regulatory and breach of contract claim against a major bank (CFI 062/2021).
• Advising (with John Brisby KC, Tom Gentleman and Cayman lawyers) in respect of a potential just and equitable winding up petition relation to a Cayman island company trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
• Advising (with John Brisby KC) in relation to multi-million dollar trust litigation in the Bahamas, including a claim for the removal of a corporate trustee arising out of alleged breaches of trust.

James is ranked as a leading junior in insolvency by the Legal 500 and regularly appears in the Insolvency and Companies Court, acting for and advising debtors and creditors on a wide range of matters, including claims relating to antecedent transactions and issues surrounding the validity of appointment of office holders.

According to clients who spoke to Chambers and Partners, James is “Absolutely outstanding in terms of the advice provided but also the strategic approach to solving issues. James has an uncanny knack of being able to make all the right calls and all at the right time”. His recent work in insolvency and restructuring includes:

• Acting for a director in successfully resisting an administration application brought by a fellow director (see Re LYHFL Ltd [2023] EWHC 2585 (Ch), a case which decided a novel issue of law as to whether a single director on a potentially deadlocked two-person board could apply for an administration order under para. 12(1)(b) Schd. B1 IA 1986, in the absence of the agreement of the other director).
• Acting for a supporting creditor in contested applications by administrators of related companies to be discharged from office and place the companies into compulsory liquidation.
• Acting for a former director of a quarrying company in connection with misfeasance proceedings brought by administrators.
• Acting for a film-producer in connection with misfeasance proceedings brought by a liquidator.
• Acting (with Christopher Parker KC, Justin Fenwick KC and Andrew de Mestre KC) at first instance and on appeal to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, for the Liquidators of Stanford International Bank Ltd in proceedings against HSBC arising out of a multi-billion dollar Ponzi fraud (see Stanford International Bank Ltd (In Liquidation) v HSBC Bank Plc [2020] EWHC 2232 (Ch) (first instance); [2021] 1 WLR 3507(Court of Appeal); [2023] A.C. 761 (Supreme Court).
• Acting (with Mark Phillips QC, Jonathan Kirk QC and Frederick Philpott) for the successful appellant on the appeal of a bankruptcy order made (and reported in The Times) in connection with one of the largest personal insolvencies ever to come before the English Courts: Gertner v CFL Finance Limited [2020] EWHC 1241 (Ch).
• Acting for an alleged non-executive director in connection with a claim by a liquidator alleging breach of directors’ duties.
• Acting for the defendant to a fraudulent trading and misfeasance claim in respect of a land banking scheme.
• Acting for the respondent to an application by a US SIPA Trustee under Article 21 of the Cross Border Insolvency Regulations 2006
• Acting (with Gabriel Moss QC) for the appellant in the appeal of the decision in Gertner v CFL Finance Limited [2018] EWCA Civ 1781, concerning an application to revoke one of the largest IVAs in English history by creditor value
• Acting (with Orlando Fraser KC) for the Defendant to an application to revoke an IVA with a creditor value of over £500m, which considered the scope of the “good faith” principle identified in Cadbury Schweppes Plc v Somji [2001] 1 W.L.R. 615: see CFL Finance Ltd v Rubin [2017] EWHC 111 (Ch); [2017] B.P.I.R. 336;
• Advising on English law matters arising in the context of claw-back claims brought before the Icelandic Courts.
• Advising creditors on an application to obtain allegedly confidential documents from a company in liquidation.

Issues relating to trusts and trusts law can arise across virtually all of Chambers’ specialisms, and James is experienced in acting for and against Trustees (including trusts of traditional and offshore private trusts and trustees of corporate finance transactions, e.g. bond and security trustees). His work includes:

• Acting (with Jonathan Crow CVO, KC) for Saad Investments Co Ltd and its joint liquidators in their appeal to the Supreme Court in relation to the scope of knowing receipt claims where the underlying beneficial interest in property wrongfully paid away in breach of trust is extinguished by the method of transfer: Byers v Saudi National Bank [2023] UKSC 51; [2024] 2 WLR 237 (Lord Hodge DPSC noting that “[t]he extended written and oral submissions on this issue … have been of the highest order”).
• Acting (leading Zachery Kell) for a foreign domiciled trustee in connection with contentious proceedings concerning the beneficial ownership of trust assets.
• Advising the beneficiaries of a number of family trusts on potential claims for breach of trust against a former trustee.
• Acting (with John Machell KC) for the corporate trustee of a Cayman STAR trust in proceedings brought by two Russian banks against members of the Mints family and others PJSC National Bank Trust v Mints [2023] EWHC 118 (Comm).
• Acting (with Richard Salter KC and Andrew Clutterbuck KC) for a major trust corporation in a Part 8 claim in connection with the long-running insolvencies of the Australian Bell Group of companies (see Re The Law Debenture Trust Corporation plc [2020] EWHC 1792 (Ch))
• Advising an offshore trust in respect of English law issues arising from a worldwide freezing order made against certain potential beneficiaries.
• Advising (with John Brisby KC) in relation to multi-million dollar trust litigation in the Bahamas, including a claim for the removal of a corporate trustee arising out of alleged breaches of trust.
• Acting (with Hilary Stonefrost and Robert Miles QC) for JP Morgan Europe Limited (in its capacity as security trustee) in its successful defence of claims brought against it by certain mezzanine lenders following a non-consensual restructuring under a syndicated finance agreement: Saltri III Ltd v. MD Mezzanine SA SICAR & Others [2012] EWHC 3025 (Comm); [2013] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 661; [2013] 2 B.C.L.C. 217.

James is a member of the Commercial Bar Association and the Chancery Bar Association.

• 2003 – 2006 BA (Hons) Warwick
• 2006 – 2007 BPP Law School (GDC)
• 2007 – 2008 BPP Law School (BVC)

James was a contributing author to Litigation in the Time of Covid-19, the 4 Stone Buildings’ E-Book.

Chambers Global – 2025 Dispute Resolution: Commercial Chancery (UK Bar)

• Recommended as a leading junior (Band 2)

Chambers UK Bar – 2025 Chancery: Commercial, Band 2

• “Put simply, James provides a KC level of service and expertise. He is very bright, reassuringly calm and possessed of excellent judgement. He is great on his feet and a real pleasure to work with.”
• “James is very calm and assured, and just great to work with.”

Chambers UK Bar – 2025 Company Law, Band 2

• “James is always helpful and a pleasure to work with.”
• “James is extremely good on the facts and he has a very analytical mind.”

Legal 500 – 2025 Company Law, leading Juniors

• “Exceptionally bright, methodical, calm, responsive and invested in the matters he is instructed in.”

Legal 500 – 2025 Banking & Finance, leading Junior

• “James is very responsive and hardworking. His ability to marshal the detail and his written advocacy set him apart.”

Legal 500 – 2025 Insolvency, leading Junior

• “Absolutely outstanding in terms of the advice provided but also the strategic approach to solving issues. James has an uncanny knack of being able to make all the right calls and all at the right time.”

Who’s Who Legal 2024

• Recommended in Company & Partnership – Juniors

Chambers UK Bar – 2024 Company Law, Band 2

• “James Knott offers technically excellent and very considered advice.”
• “James is excellent in all respects and provides a very reassuring presence to clients.”

Chambers UK Bar – 2024 Chancery: Commercial, Band 2

• “Such a reliable pair of hands, James punches above his level. His written work is exceptional and his advice both pragmatic and clear. He delivers work in a quick manner and is able to effortlessly grasp highly technical matters.”
• “He is experienced beyond his years and is good at producing written material under pressure.”
• “Very bright and has a lovely manner with clients. He is creative and his drafting is top notch.”

Legal 500 – 2024 Company Law, leading Juniors

• “James has a very nice, calm, style of advocacy, and he is good at picking out only the key points and presenting well to the judge.”

Legal 500 – 2024 Banking & Finance, leading Junior

• “James’ attention to detail is very strong. The matter in which we are instructing him is an appeal on a narrow question of law – James is extremely thorough in understanding everything there is to know on this area; his knowledge is encyclopaedic.”

Chambers Global – Dispute Resolution: Commercial Chancery, Band 2

• “Thoughtful, composed and always right, James is very committed to delivering successful outcomes no matter how difficult the challenge.”

Chambers UK Bar – 2023 Company Law, Band 2

• “James knows the law like the back of his hand and pleasingly matches it with commercial acumen.”
• “Calm and cogent, he’s unflappable even in the most stressful situations.
• “He considers everything holistically and tailors his advice to the client, pondering every option.”

Chambers UK Bar – 2023 Chancery: Commercial, Band 2

• “Extremely diligent, detail-orientated and hard-working.”
• “His is a very collaborative style and he is very patient especially with difficult clients.”

Legal 500 – 2023 Company Law, leading Juniors

• “He is very clear in his advice, provides well supported and reasoned solutions.”

Legal 500 – 2023 Banking & Finance, leading Junior

• “James is a pleasure to work with. Very hardworking and diligent. James is technically strong; he quickly grasped the issues in a very complex banking dispute and identified the relevant issues.”

Chambers UK Bar – 2022 Company Law, Band 2 “

• “Technically very gifted and has a way of explaining matters in an understandable way. He’s a fine lawyer and comes up with creative solutions.”
• “James is great to work with; he’s very responsive, hands-on and technically excellent.”

Chambers UK Bar – 2022 Chancery: Commercial, Band 3

• “Really great to work with as he is very, very responsive, technically excellent and very hands-on. He is definitely counsel you can put in front of clients without hesitation.”

Legal 500 – 2022 Company Law, leading Juniors

• “His advice is very user friendly and he is excellent in dealing with difficult and demanding clients.”

Legal 500 – 2022 Banking & Finance, leading Juniors

• “Very hard-working and mastered the detail very speedily. Great to work with as part of an extended legal team.”
• “has made a good impression on the market.”

Chambers Global – 2021 Dispute Resolution: Commercial Chancery, UK

• “He is technically excellent and provides very practical and robust advice.”
• “A very impressive junior. He is able to marshal complicated details well, and has strong drafting skills and an excellent work ethic.”

Chambers UK Bar – 2021 Company Law, Band 2

• “James is very prepossessing and a reassuring presence to have on your side. He inspires great confidence and is excellent on paper.”

Chambers UK Bar – 2021 Chancery: Commercial, Band 4

• “He is technically excellent and provides very practical and robust advice.”
• “A very impressive junior. He is able to marshal complicated details well, and has strong drafting skills and an excellent work ethic.”

Legal 500 2021 – Company Law, Leading Juniors

• “Very easy to work with, thorough and technically brilliant.”

Chambers UK Bar – 2020 Company Law, Band 2

• “Absolutely brilliant. He picks up issues quickly, he has an excellent commercial sense and he advises the client sensibly.”

Chambers UK & Global Bar – 2020 Chancery: Commercial, Band 4

• “He’s calm and unflappable, assured but brilliant. Even though he’s a junior, he commands the respect of clients and when he speaks they listen.”
• “Incredibly quick and hard-working.”
• “A confident advocate who is the junior of choice for a number of high-profile silks.”

Legal 500 2020 – Company Law, Leading Juniors

• “He is very approachable and responsive, and quick-thinking, and decisively clear in his advice.”

Chambers UK Bar – 2019 Company Law, Band 2

• “James is very, very good. Turnaround times are great, his attention to detail and drafting are brilliant and he understands what the client wants.”

Legal 500 2019 – Company Law, Leading Juniors

• “A diligent, articulate and intelligent advocate.’”