James Barratt

James serves as Co-Head of International Disputes – Europe. He is based in our London office and has more than two decades of experience representing clients in some of the world’s most complex and challenging international arbitrations.

He has served as counsel in more than 100 international arbitrations, where the amounts in dispute have often exceeded US$1 billion. He typically leads the team and conducts the advocacy as the first chair. James also sits as an arbitrator and as a part-time judge.

James has been recognized for more than 15 years as one of the leading international arbitration lawyers. In multiple years, he has been referenced in Chambers, Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration, and Expert Guides, International Arbitration. James has also been listed in The Legal 500 Arbitration Powerlist – UK Region.

According to Chambers UK 2026, James has, “laser-focused, excellent judgement” and, “is a very talented lawyer with multiple specialisms.”

James is an energy disputes specialist with a particular focus on natural gas and liquified natural gas (LNG) price renegotiations and arbitrations. He also has conducted substantial arbitrations in various sectors, including life sciences, private equity, aviation, defense, technology, and telecommunications. He has worked extensively with clients in the Asia Pacific region and Latin America.

James has represented multinational corporations, institutional investors, governments, and international organizations in arbitrations administered under the rules of all major institutions (including the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, and HKIAC), as well as in ad hoc UNCITRAL proceedings under various applicable laws (including English, French, German, Spanish, Swiss, Brazilian, PRC, Japanese, Russian, and public international law).