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gunnercooke is the fastest growing corporate law firm in the UK, now making its mark globally. We comprise a rapidly growing number of experts spanning legal and other disciplines. Clients benefit from flexible options on fees to suit their needs, access to a wider network of senior experts throughout the relationship, and legal advice which is complemented by an understanding of the commercial aspects of running a business.
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James Pheasant
Partner
Dispute Resolution
Accolades
Expertise
James Pheasant is the litigator you want on your side. His reputation as a skilled and effective litigator is built on his ability to deliver results consistently for his clients. He quickly analyses cases, devises and then implements a winning strategy. His open communication style, personable nature, and tenacity mean his clients always feel reassured that they are in the right hands.
James is supported by a team of handpicked, full-time litigators. Together they have built a reputation for finding creative solutions to manage commercial risks, protect relationships, and achieve business goals. Find out more about how they work with client reviews in Legal 500.
The growth of the gunnercooke Bristol Dispute Resolution team has been driven by referrals from satisfied clients and professionals who have worked alongside them. Business owners and board directors look to James’ leadership and the team’s ability to handle complex multi-million pound commercial claims, nationally and internationally. The team shines in navigating a strategic path through the procedural landscape – whatever the arena – to achieve the optimal result.
James specialises in complex commercial and corporate disputes – the more complex the better. He is a calm and reassuring presence in a storm. He thrives on boardroom battles and director/shareholder disputes. When corporate transactions and major projects go wrong, he is the person to have by your side.
He is personally ranked in Chambers, a prestigious legal directory, for Litigation where he is described as “brilliant from start to finish” as a testament to his legal skills and the respect he commands in the legal community.
James Is also ranked In Chambers for his work In the Equestrian and Horseracing Industry. Find out more about his specialist work in this area here.
James Advises
- C-Suite
- Boards
- Shareholders
- Directors
- Founders
In the following sectors: aerospace, banking (especially challenger banks), energy, fashion, finance, hospitality, leisure, property, tech, all sectors where risk management is key to success.
Experience Highlights
Commercial Experience
- Conducted Defence of Cardiff Bus in £55M damages claim in Competition Appeal Tribunal following adverse OFT infringement finding ⸺ first s 47A damages claim to reach trial.
- Defence of European subsidiary of global defence company in €450M ad hoc international arbitration proceedings.
- Conducted claim on behalf of UK subsidiary of global aerospace company involving urgent injunctive relief in respect of fraudulent misappropriation of company assets.
- Representing international manufacturing group in relation to complex proceedings for breach of warranty and post-acquisition consideration dispute involving parallel proceedings in England and abroad.
- Represented business owners in the hotel and leisure sector in relation to agency dispute arising out of completion of £multi-million disposal of part of the business.
- Acted for company and its shareholders in dispute with an English City Council in relation to non-payment of monies due under the terms of a Deed of Compensation following Compulsory Purchase Order.
- Represented global news agency in £multi-million bandwidth dispute with global IT provider.
Sports Experience
- Represented trainer, Marco Botti, in proceedings before Disciplinary Committee of the British Horseracing Authority in relation to an Adverse Analytical Finding ⸺ No sanctions imposed.
- Represented various elite equestrian athletes including GB Endurance rider Christine Yeoman and Burghley and Badminton winner Jonathan Paget in defences against doping sanctions brought by Federation Equestrian Internationale ⸺ No Fault decisions obtained in both cases.
- Represented Saudi Equestrian Olympic athletes before the Court of Arbitration for Sport to challenge bans imposed by Federation Equestrian Internationale successfully.
- Represented The Football League in arbitration proceedings against leading Football Championship club and its previous owner for breach of rules on prohibition of Third Party Investment.
- Acted for the Jockey Club and the Horseracing Regulatory Authority (now the British Horseracing Authority) in Bradley v Jockey Club [2005] EWCA Civ 1056 and Fallon v Horseracing Regulatory Authority.
- Represented 2005 French Open tennis finalist, Mariano Puerta in anti-doping proceedings before ITF Tribunal and the Court of Arbitration for Sport ⸺ ITF v Puerta.
Career History
Previous Law Firms
- Stephenson Law, Head of Dispute Resolution
- Carbon Law Partners, Partner
- Burges Salmon, Senior Associate
- Charles Russell LLP, Solicitor
Memberships
- British Association of Sport and Law
Education
- Universite Robert Schuman, Strasbourg ⸺ Diploma European Legal Studies
- King’s College London ⸺ LLM
- King’s College London ⸺ LLB
Expertise
Back to top
James Pheasant is the litigator you want on your side. His reputation as a skilled and effective litigator is built on his ability to deliver results consistently for his clients. He quickly analyses cases, devises and then implements a winning strategy. His open communication style, personable nature, and tenacity mean his clients always feel reassured that they are in the right hands.
James is supported by a team of handpicked, full-time litigators. Together they have built a reputation for finding creative solutions to manage commercial risks, protect relationships, and achieve business goals. Find out more about how they work with client reviews in Legal 500.
The growth of the gunnercooke Bristol Dispute Resolution team has been driven by referrals from satisfied clients and professionals who have worked alongside them. Business owners and board directors look to James’ leadership and the team’s ability to handle complex multi-million pound commercial claims, nationally and internationally. The team shines in navigating a strategic path through the procedural landscape – whatever the arena – to achieve the optimal result.
James specialises in complex commercial and corporate disputes – the more complex the better. He is a calm and reassuring presence in a storm. He thrives on boardroom battles and director/shareholder disputes. When corporate transactions and major projects go wrong, he is the person to have by your side.
He is personally ranked in Chambers, a prestigious legal directory, for Litigation where he is described as “brilliant from start to finish” as a testament to his legal skills and the respect he commands in the legal community.
James Is also ranked In Chambers for his work In the Equestrian and Horseracing Industry. Find out more about his specialist work in this area here.
James Advises
Back to top
- C-Suite
- Boards
- Shareholders
- Directors
- Founders
In the following sectors: aerospace, banking (especially challenger banks), energy, fashion, finance, hospitality, leisure, property, tech, all sectors where risk management is key to success.
Experience Highlights
Back to top
Commercial Experience
- Conducted Defence of Cardiff Bus in £55M damages claim in Competition Appeal Tribunal following adverse OFT infringement finding ⸺ first s 47A damages claim to reach trial.
- Defence of European subsidiary of global defence company in €450M ad hoc international arbitration proceedings.
- Conducted claim on behalf of UK subsidiary of global aerospace company involving urgent injunctive relief in respect of fraudulent misappropriation of company assets.
- Representing international manufacturing group in relation to complex proceedings for breach of warranty and post-acquisition consideration dispute involving parallel proceedings in England and abroad.
- Represented business owners in the hotel and leisure sector in relation to agency dispute arising out of completion of £multi-million disposal of part of the business.
- Acted for company and its shareholders in dispute with an English City Council in relation to non-payment of monies due under the terms of a Deed of Compensation following Compulsory Purchase Order.
- Represented global news agency in £multi-million bandwidth dispute with global IT provider.
Sports Experience
- Represented trainer, Marco Botti, in proceedings before Disciplinary Committee of the British Horseracing Authority in relation to an Adverse Analytical Finding ⸺ No sanctions imposed.
- Represented various elite equestrian athletes including GB Endurance rider Christine Yeoman and Burghley and Badminton winner Jonathan Paget in defences against doping sanctions brought by Federation Equestrian Internationale ⸺ No Fault decisions obtained in both cases.
- Represented Saudi Equestrian Olympic athletes before the Court of Arbitration for Sport to challenge bans imposed by Federation Equestrian Internationale successfully.
- Represented The Football League in arbitration proceedings against leading Football Championship club and its previous owner for breach of rules on prohibition of Third Party Investment.
- Acted for the Jockey Club and the Horseracing Regulatory Authority (now the British Horseracing Authority) in Bradley v Jockey Club [2005] EWCA Civ 1056 and Fallon v Horseracing Regulatory Authority.
- Represented 2005 French Open tennis finalist, Mariano Puerta in anti-doping proceedings before ITF Tribunal and the Court of Arbitration for Sport ⸺ ITF v Puerta.
Career History
Back to top
Previous Law Firms
- Stephenson Law, Head of Dispute Resolution
- Carbon Law Partners, Partner
- Burges Salmon, Senior Associate
- Charles Russell LLP, Solicitor
Memberships
- British Association of Sport and Law
Education
- Universite Robert Schuman, Strasbourg ⸺ Diploma European Legal Studies
- King’s College London ⸺ LLM
- King’s College London ⸺ LLB
Testimonials
James's team enables businesses and business leaders to manage risk and achieve commercial objectives by taking control of their disputes. Implementing creative solutions to avoid litigaion is central to the approach.
Chambers & Partners
2024James specialises in complex commercial and corporate disputes including breach of warranty claims and other claims arising out of corporate transactions, director and shareholder disputes, security enforcement and major commercial project/supplier disputes.
Chambers & Partners
2024James is skilled in using a wide variety of dispute resolution processes including mediation, arbitration (ad hoc and under institutional rules) and expert determination to achieve his clients' goals.
Chambers & Partners
2024James also has an excellent reputation for sports regulatory cases with particular expertise in anti-doping.
Chambers & Partners
2024