SILK PROFILE

James MacDonald KC

UK Bar 2026

One Essex Court

Ranked in 3 practice areas

Banking & Finance

London (Bar)

15 years ranked

Fraud: Civil

London (Bar)

2 years ranked

Commercial Dispute Resolution

London (Bar)

17 years ranked

About

Provided by One Essex Court

UK Bar

Practice Areas

James is a leading commercial silk practising both litigation and arbitration. Particularly well known for his high profile general commercial and banking and finance practice, James’ practice covers all aspects of commercial law. James’ recent experience covers, amongst others, aviation, banking and finance, energy, fraud, professional negligence, injunctions, jurisdiction and enforcement. James also acts in tax cases, providing private law advice on transactions subject to enquiry. James has appeared in many major Commercial Court trials and appeals. Recent large cases include for example, the Mozambique ‘tuna bonds’ litigation, the high profile Frasers v Morgan Stanley dispute about a US$1bn margin call, the ENRC v Dechert litigation involving allegations of negligence against former Dechert solicitor Neal Gerrard. James is currently acting in a number of major cases in the fields of banking, aviation, fraud and energy. He is also an experienced arbitration counsel (under ICC, ICSID, LCIA and DFIC rules) and is currently acting in a number of very high value ICC and LCIA arbitrations concerning various aspects of the energy and industrial sectors. Prior to taking silk James was one of the top commercial juniors at the bar, being band 1 ranked and receiving numerous award nominations. James is also a regular contributor to Butterworths’ Journal of International Banking and Finance. Further information can be found at https://www.oeclaw.co.uk/barristers/profile/james-macdonald

Career

Inner Temple (called 2005) Education: Oxon (BA Hons (double 1st)); King’s College London (MA); Law School (CPE; BPP distinction).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Banking & Finance - London (Bar)

Band 3

Individual Editorial

James MacDonald KC is an impressive silk who is highly respected for his handling of complex banking and finance disputes. His practice in this area is diverse, spanning multi-jurisdictional cases and enforcement proceedings. MacDonald's superb reputation sees him regularly instructed in the most high-profile of matters, and he acts on both the claimant and defendant sides for national and international banking organisations. He is experienced in acting on top-drawer cases involving silks of the highest order, and is further noted for his knowledge of Islamic finance cases.

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Fraud: Civil - London (Bar)

Band 3

Individual Editorial

James MacDonald KC draws on extensive experience from the commercial Bar in his civil fraud practice, acting in international cases involving jurisdictions including Russia. He acts for both claimants and defendants, and is particularly strong in banking frauds.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

He is a fantastic advocate with a knack for making judges see his client's point of view.
Banking & FinanceUK Bar
He is a really good team player and is able to find important points quickly.
Banking & FinanceUK Bar
James has the ability to master the hardest and most technical of subjects.
Banking & FinanceUK Bar
He exceptionally clever, handles pressure very well and is a persuasive advocate.
Fraud: CivilUK Bar
His quality of thought is second to none.
Fraud: CivilUK Bar
James provides a thoughtful confidence which is reassuring to clients facing some of their most difficult and complex decisions.
Fraud: CivilUK Bar