James Little

Practice Areas

Construction and Infrastructure Law

Commercial and Business Litigation

Domestic and International Arbitration

Public Policy

Environmental Disputes on Construction Projects

Career

James Little is a Partner in the Construction and Infrastructure Practice Group at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP. For his expertise and reputation in construction law, James has been ranked by Chambers Global, Who’s Who Legal, Legal 500, Benchmark Litigation and Best Lawyers. These rankings are based on comments from his clients recognizing his “keen mind”, his “innovative” strategies, “impeccable” preparedness and “unmatched” work ethic.

As a leading practitioner in his field, James has developed a growing practice where he advises on domestic and international construction disputes, including court proceedings, negotiation, arbitration and other dispute resolution alternatives for a wide variety of construction industry clients. He regularly advises clients on a variety of different types of projects including major national and international infrastructure projects, mining projects, hospitals and commercial construction. James is often called upon to advise on construction projects during the pre-construction, design and construction phases, including advice in respect of risk mitigation, dispute avoidance and claims management. His focus is on providing a high level of service through effective and timely advice and advocacy while managing and resolving disputes.

James is also a committed contributor within the construction bar. He is the current Vice-Chair of the Society of Construction Law of North America and a member of the Ontario Bar Association Construction and Infrastructure Executive. James is focused on developing himself as a thought leader by providing perspectives in respect of construction law in Canada through his work on case notes, papers and journal articles.

In his spare time, James enjoys exploring Ontario with his two primary-age boys.

Professional Memberships

- Vice Chair, Society of Construction Law North America

- Past Member, Ontario Bar Association Construction and Infrastructure Section Executive

- Member, Canadian Bar Association

- Member, Ontario Bar Association

Publications

Co-author, “Tenoes Construction v Pinto: The Importance of Compliance with Timetables in Construction Lien Actions,” January, 2024

Co-author, “Backyard XP Inc v. Cesario-Valela: Limitations on Issuance of Third Party Claims Under the Construction Act,” December, 2023

Co-author, “Update: Federal Prompt Payment Legislation Comes Into Force,” December, 2023

Co-author, “Gay Company Limited v. 962332 Ontario Inc: The Meaning of “Registration” under the Construction Act and Land Titles Act,” December, 2023

Co-author, “Symtech Innovations Ltd. v. Siemens Canada Limited: The Importance of Giving Timely Notice of Claims in Ontario,” November, 2023

Co-author, “Sjostrom Sheet Metal v Kelson: Transparency and Effective Communication in Non-Fixed Price Construction Contracts,” October, 2023

Co-author, “Sundance Development Corporation v. Islington Chauncery Residences Corp.: The Risks of Accepting an Uncertain “Repudiation” of Contract,” October, 2023

Co-author, “Devlan Construction Ltd v SRK Woodworking Inc: Joinder of Trust and Lien Claims is Not Permissible Under Ontario’s Construction Act,” July, 2023

Co-author, “Arad Incorporated v Rejali et al: Court Wary of Returning Security in Lien Claims on the Sole Basis of Statutory Adjudication,” July, 2023

Co-author, “Bhatnagar v. Cresco Labs Inc.: Clarifying the Duty of Honest Performance and the Presumption of Loss,” June, 2023

Co-author, “Haider v Rizvi: Implications of Failing to Prescribe Form and Content of a Release,” June, 2023

Co-author, “Kingsgate Property Ltd. v. Vancouver School District No. 39: Issue Estoppel and Prior Arbitrations under the Same Agreement,” May, 2023

Co-author, “Husky Food Importers & Distributors Ltd v. JH Whittaker & Sons Limited: Ontario’s New Test for Staying Litigation in Favour of Arbitration to Determine the Validity of an Arbitration Agreement,” May, 2023

Co-author, “Limits on the Presumption of Consistent Expression in Contracts: Baffinland Iron Mines v. Tower-EBC,” April, 2023

Co-author, “Judicial Support for Expert Determination as a Dispute Resolution Alternative: KHM Cardiology Centres v Lambardar,” April, 2023

Co-author, “Aroma Franchise Company v Aroma Expresso: Guidance and Questions on Disclosure Obligations and Reasonable Apprehension of Bias in Arbitration,” March, 2023

Co-author, “Getting Paid: The Migration of Prompt Payment and Adjudication Across Canada,” ReNew Canada, January/February, 2023

Co-author, “Rare Example of Partial Summary Judgment in a Construction Matter Upheld,” January, 2023

Co-author, “Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods – When does it make sense to use them and which should you use?,” On-Site Magazine, June, 2022

Co-author, “Delay claims: What documents do you really need?,” On-Site Magazine, December, 2020

Co-author, “The Emergencies Act and the Construction Industry,” May, 2020

Co-author, “Construction Act to be Exempt from Suspension of Procedural Time Limits,” April, 2020

Co-author, “Extended Hours for Construction of Essential Projects in the Health Care Sector,” April, 2020

Co-author, “Consolidation of Adjudications under Ontario’s New Construction Act,” Journal of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, April, 2020

Co-author, “When You Win: Enforcing The Adjudicator’s Decision,” Construction Law Letter | Volume 36, December, 2019

Leadership Review, “Interview with James Little, Emerging Leader,” Construction Economist, Spring, 2019

Co-author, “Nova Scotia to Modernize its Construction Legislation and Introduce Prompt Payment and Adjudication,” April, 2019

Co-author, “SLAPP in the Face – Bondfield Prevails in Anti-SLAPP Motion,” April, 2019

Co-author, “A Report on the Introduction of Prompt Payment and Adjudication: Legislation in The Province of Ontario,” The International Construction Law Review, January, 2019

Co-author, “Singleton Reynolds’ Report on Ontario Prompt Payment and Adjudication is featured in the International Construction Law Review Journal,” January, 2019

Co-author, “Fall Economic Statement 2018: Federal Prompt Payment and Adjudication To Be Introduced,” November, 2018

Co-author, “Prompt Payment and Adjudication in Manitoba: The Ontario Approach Adopted,” November, 2018

Co-author, “I Once Was Lost But Now I’m Found: Ontario Government to Amend the Construction Act via Bill 57, the Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act,” November, 2018

Author, “A Bargain Struck: Surety Bonds under Ontario’s New Construction Act,” September, 2018

Co-author, “A New Construction Act – What Has Changed and How Will It Affect P3 Projects?,” Lexpert Special Edition on Infrastructure, September, 2018

Co-author, “Discretion and Fairness in Contractor Debarment: Interpaving Limited v City of Greater Sudbury, 2018 ONSC 3005,” August, 2018

Co-author, “Ontario’s New Construction Act: Key Changes Coming into Force on Canada Day,” June, 2018

Co-author, Case Study, “Developing Public Policy,” June, 2018

Co-author, “Somewhat Lost in Transition?,” May, 2018

Personal

- Recognized in Chambers Canada — Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Construction) as Up and Coming in the area of Construction Law.

- Recognized in Benchmark Canada – The Definitive Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys as a “Future Litigation Star”.

- Recognized in Who’s Who Legal – Future Leader.

- Recognized as a leading lawyer in the Lexpert® Globe and Mail Report on Business Special Edition on Infrastructure.

- Ranked in the area of Construction Law by Best Lawyers Canada®.

- Recognized in Benchmark Litigation’s 40 & Under Hot List.

- Chair, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP