James Hilsdon, Lead Solicitor, Dispute Resolution & Business Protection

Director, Virtual Law; Lead Solicitor, Insolvency & Restructuring

James HilsdonContact James Hilsdon

Practice: General Commercial Litigation, Business Protection, Alternative Dispute Resolution

Specialist Experience:

  • Breach of contract, negligence, professional negligence;
  • IP Enforcement
  • Investor disputes – shareholders’ agreements, JVs, minority rights;
  • Civil fraud and regulatory – asset recovery and interim remedies;
  • Cross-border and offshore disputes – forum challenges, orders in aid;
  • Contentious and cross-border insolvency;
  • International enforcement of judgments and artbital awards

Admitted as:
Bar of England & Wales (1993);
Bar of Eastern Caribbean: British Virgin Islands (2003) and Anguilla (2003) Circuits
Solicitor, England & Wales, (2008)

Qualifications:
1992 – 1993: Bar Finals, Inns of Court School of Law
1991 – 1992: Common Professional Examination (Dip.Law), City University
1987 – 1990: MA, History, First Class Honours, Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge

Experience and Career History:
James is a commercial lawyer of over 15 years’ experience, specialising in commercial litigation and contentious insolvency.   He joined Virtual Law in November 2009 from a Litigation Partner role at mid-tier City of London firm, Davies Arnold Cooper.  His career commenced with 6 years’ practice at the Chancery-Commercial Bar, covering a wide range of matters from commercial disputes through to traditional Chancery practice.  James then moved to Clifford Chance LLP where he managed complex multi-jurisdictional disputes and was a member of the core Advocacy Unit.

James practised offshore in the British Virgin Islands for over four years, where he joined the Islands’ leading offshore Magic Circle practice, Harney Westwood & Reigels. He specialised in high value international litigation relating to the financial services sector with considerable success. He subsequently headed up the dispute resolution and insolvency practice in the BVI for global offshore leader, Appleby.  Whilst offshore James appeared in a number of high profile international matters, on occasion led by prominent English silks.  James returned to practice in the UK in 2007.

James takes a consistently commercial approach supported by strong academic ability and significant practical experience, and has assisted a range of sectors, including aviation, banking and financial services, engineering, oil & gas, IT, manufacturing and multimedia. His practice encompasses a broad range of issues including breaches of contract, negligence, professional negligence; investor disputes – shareholders’ agreements, JVs, minority rights; civil fraud and regulatory – asset recovery and interim remedies; cross-border and offshore disputes – forum challenges, orders in aid; contentious and cross-border insolvency;  and international enforcement of judgments and arbital awards.

Conferences:

  • Conference Chair and speaker on cross border asset recovery at What’s Next for Offshore Financial Centres?, London, September 2009;
  • Speaker on Proceeds of Crime Ac t 2002 at CLAN Annual Conference, London, June 2009;
  • Chair of International Panel Session and speaker on Managing Offshore Litigation and BVI Law Update – LexisNexis Fraud & International Litigation conference, London, May 2008;

    • Articles:

    • “Pitfalls for Investors in BVI Companies”, The Lawyer, Summer 2008;
    • “Money Laundering”, Accountancy Magazine, April 2008;
    • “BVI Shareholders’ Rights and Remedies”, Managing Partner, 2007;
    • “Island Swapping”- Offshore Special Report, The Lawyer, 19th June 2006;

    Testimonials:
    Linda Ingram, Charitable Trustee: “James picked up and ran with a case that had been seemingly drifting for months, and made dramatic headway in a relatively short space of time. When people are paying for your time, then that is crucial I feel.”

    Ed Hollingshead, Managing Director, Webboutiques Ltd.: “May I say how pleased I am with the outstanding levels of support and expertise you have provided!”