SILK PROFILE
James Cutress KC

James Cutress KC

UK Bar 2026

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Ranked in 6 practice areas

About

Provided by Fountain Court Chambers

Practice Areas

James Cutress KC is a leading commercial advocate, described as “immensely effective in court”, “brilliant on tactics” and “excellent at cutting to the chase”.

He regularly acts both before the courts and in international arbitrations. His cases are typically heavy and complex commercial disputes which are international in nature and often raise jurisdictional and conflict of law issues.

Described as a “Rolls-Royce of a barrister”, James’ expertise spans a number of fields, including Commercial Litigation, International Commercial Arbitration, Banking & Finance, Financial Services, Insurance, Aviation, Travel and Professional Negligence. He has particular expertise in disputes arising out of financings and financing structures, commercial contracts, aviation, insurance, acquisitions/business sales, energy, fraud, sanctions and professional liability and discipline.

James is co-Author of Thanki’s The Law of Privilege (4th edition) and gives specialist and expert advice in relation to privilege issues and disputes. He has also sat on the Bar Standard Board professional complaints committee (now Independent Decision Making Body) for a number of years. In addition, James provides expert evidence on English law to foreign courts.

Career

Called 2000. Silk 2018.

Personal

Oxford University, 1997 BA Law (First class degree, coming first in his year in Law in the University), 1998 BCL (Distinction); Inns of Court School of Law (second in year); Harvard University, 1999 LLM (Kennedy Scholar).

Hockey (Blue 1997, 1998), squash.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Aviation - London (Bar)

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

James Cutress KC is an accomplished practitioner whose diverse caseload sees him appearing in intricate aviation cases relating to leasing, damages and financing disputes. His matters are often international in scope.

Banking & Finance - London (Bar)

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

James Cutress KC is a well-regarded silk experienced in handling a broad range of complex and high-value banking and financial matters, as well as wider insurance and general commercial disputes. His banking cases include many cross-border disputes and arbitrations. He has also acted in a series of high-profile and well-documented interest rate swap mis-selling cases.

Insurance - London (Bar)

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

James Cutress KC upholds a wide-ranging commercial practice. He is involved in a considerable range of insurance and reinsurance disputes, including Bermuda Form arbitrations. He is further experienced in trade credit and product liability insurance disputes.

Professional Negligence - London (Bar)

Band 4
Band 4

Individual Editorial

James Cutress KC brings his expertise in insurance and financial services to bear in professional negligence cases, being renowned for claims involving banks and financial advisers in addition to highly topical issues in the construction industry.

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance - London (Bar)

Band 4
Band 4

Individual Editorial

James Cutress KC is renowned for the strength of his arbitration practice, which covers such areas as aviation, finance and reinsurance. He has experience in handling matters under ARIAS and LCIA rules, and he has handled arbitrations in several jurisdictions including those in Africa, Europe and Asia.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • A smooth operator who is very effective at conveying a highly complex set of facts and technical points to a judge in a digestible manner.

    AviationUK Bar
  • James grasps really difficult points with ease and is great at finding solutions.

    Banking & FinanceUK Bar
  • He has got a huge brain and he is an incredibly able lawyer.

    Banking & FinanceUK Bar
  • He is very analytical and his written advocacy is absolutely superb.

    Banking & FinanceUK Bar
  • He is great to work with and very responsive.

    InsuranceUK Bar
  • He did a good job at presenting a difficult case on trial. He put the case together in a way that suited the client.

    InsuranceUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Fountain Court Chambers (259)

All Circuits

London (Bar)

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