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We are a team of more than 500 professionals, with the depth of experience which makes us genuine experts in our fields. Together, gunnercooke’s people have strength across just about every corporate discipline and sector. We provide legal, commercial and strategic advice that delivers real value to the clients we work with, which span from multinational enterprises through to unicorns and non-for-profit organisations. Our breadth of expertise covers some of the most interesting and important emerging disciplines, from ESG and charity law, to blockchain and competition.
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gunnercooke has 12 offices globally including the UK, Scotland, US, Germany and CEE, with further plans for growth in the coming years. These offices enhance the existing in-house capability of our dedicated international teams and dual-qualified experts that cover China and Hong Kong, Spain, France, Italy, Brazil and Portugal. Our team has experience working across 101 different countries, speaking 30 languages and are dual-qualified in 15 jurisdictions. Our expertise means we can offer large teams to carry out complex cross-border matters for major international clients.
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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’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 litigation is central to the approach.
He 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.
James 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.
James also has an excellent reputation for sports regulatory cases with particular expertise in anti-doping. He is ranked in Chambers & Partners for his work in Equestrian and Horseracing.
James Advises
James’s clients span across a range of sectors including Hotel & Hospitality, Technology, Retail, Finance, Manufacturing and Sport. His clients are typically:
- SMEs
- Entrepreneurs and other business leaders
- Directors and Shareholders
- Athletes, riders, trainers and owners
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’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 litigation is central to the approach.
He 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.
James 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.
James also has an excellent reputation for sports regulatory cases with particular expertise in anti-doping. He is ranked in Chambers & Partners for his work in Equestrian and Horseracing.
James Advises
Back to top
James’s clients span across a range of sectors including Hotel & Hospitality, Technology, Retail, Finance, Manufacturing and Sport. His clients are typically:
- SMEs
- Entrepreneurs and other business leaders
- Directors and Shareholders
- Athletes, riders, trainers and owners
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 Pheasant is well known for his sports regulatory work and for representing athletes and horse trainers in anti-doping matters. A source remarked: “James has impressed me with his knowledge, attention to detail and overall approach to client service”.’
Chambers & Partners
Horse Racing & Equestrian (UK-wide)"He is an immensely personable, skilful, formidable and tenacious advocate."
Chambers & Partners
Horse Racing & Equestrian (UK-wide)