James Pickavance handles complex construction and engineering matters. He represents contractors, owners, and developers in public and private projects, particularly in the energy, power, major infrastructure, and commercial development sectors. As well as acting in a project advisory and dispute avoidance capacity, he has experience in all major forms of dispute resolution, particularly international arbitration conducted under all major institutional rules and seats. He has experience of a number of common and civil laws.
James is a member of the Society of Construction Law, a committee member of the Adjudication Society, a board member of the International Construction Law Association, and a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America. He is a visiting professor at the Dickson Poon School of Law, King's College London.
He has authored more than 50 articles in various publications and often speaks at and chairs conferences in the United Kingdom and internationally. He is author of the 740-page book A Practical Guide to Construction Adjudication (2015) and contributing author of Construction Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution: Theory and Practice around the World (2021).
James is listed in the Chambers and Legal 500 legal directories, where he is described as "exceptionally gifted and talented" and "one of the best construction solicitors in the market." Clients say "James Pickavance is an absolute star, and a first rate litigator and lawyer in every way; he is an obvious pick for the big cases because he is just brilliant — the kind of solicitor you would walk through fire for."
Experience
The following represents experience acquired prior to joining Jones Day.
Energy/Oil and Gas
Acted in a project advisory capacity for a consortium of global oil majors in relation to a $40 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in British Columbia, Canada (Canada's largest ever infrastructure project).
Acted for a global manufacturer and services power sources provider in a €50 million LCIA arbitration arising out damage caused by an explosion to a manufacturing plant in Wales.
Acted for a China-based oil and gas company in a $175 million dollar dispute and $45 million bond call in relation to a contract for the construction of a power project in the Rumalia Oil Field in Iraq.
Acted for a China-based oil and gas company in relation to a cross-border ICC arbitration on a $11 billion gas project in Abu Dhabi.
Energy/Renewable
Acted for a clean energy investment fund in a bond call and disputes relating to delays and variations concerning the construction and commissioning of a £80 million biomass plant in Lincolnshire.
Acted for a French-based multinational energy company against a German manufacturer in a €100m German Arbitration Institute (DIS) arbitration arising out of the design and construction of four biomass plants in Brazil.
Acted for a clean energy investment fund in disputes relating to gross negligence and willful misconduct, delays, claims for additional costs, bonds, termination, rejection, and insolvency arising out of the construction and commissioning of two £100m biomass plants in Wales and North England.
Acted for a German-based solar company in a defects and delay claim arising out of a contract for the construction of Jordan's largest solar farm project.
Major Infrastructure
Acted for an international heavy lifting engineering firm in an ICC arbitration arising out of the construction of the "Chernobyl Arch" (the contract price was €800 million and the final cost is approximately €2.2 billion).
Acted for Autolink Concessionaires (M6) in a £60m dispute in the Outer (first instance) and Inner (appeal) courts in relation to the construction of a motorway in Scotland.
Acted for a London public rail authority in relation to disputes on a £15 billion project for the design and construction of a new railway line across Greater London.
Acted for a U.S. headquartered global engineering firm in a $50 million ICC arbitration in relation to a dispute arising out of the design and construction of a mixed-use complex, "The Crescent Development," in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Acted for a London public rail authority in a £500m dispute arising from the construction and refurbishment of an East London railway line.
Acted for London Underground Limited in an ICC arbitration arising out of a £1.2 billion private finance initiative (PFI) project for the construction, installation operation, and maintenance of a new telecommunication and transmission system throughout the Underground network.
Acted for a British defense contractor in a dispute arising out of the redevelopment of a nuclear submarine facility in the United Kingdom.
Real Estate
Acted for various clients following the fire at Grenfell Tower in London in relation to the design and construction liability associated with defective ACM (aluminum composite material) cladding and then commenced claims against relevant entities for the cost of remedial works.
Acted for an international developer in a £20 million High Court litigation arising out of defective cladding and associated structural issues in its flagship United Kingdom shopping center development. Proceedings were brought by or against the contractor, architect, structural engineer, and tenant.
Acted for an Abu Dhabi developer in relation to extension of time claims made by the contractor arising out of the refurbishment of an office block in super-prime London.
Acted for a Japan-based telecommunications company in disputes arising out of the design and construction of a £90 million data center facility in Canary Wharf, London.
Additional Publications
- January 2021
McMillian D., Puttre R., Pickavance J., Construction Projects and Dispute in the COVID-19 world: a look beyond the lockdown. American Law Institute, The Practical Real Estate Lawyer. - October 2020
Pickavance, J., A Look Beyond the Lockdown, [2020] ICLR 353
Speaking Engagements
- December 2020
Instituto Brasileiro de Direito da Construção - IBDiC: Why is choice of governing law and arbitration seat so vital in major projects? Perspectives from the UK and Brazil - September 2020
Chair and Moderator, International Construction Law Conference, Centre for Construction Law, King's College London and the Academy of Experts - October 2019
Expert Problems in Arbitration, Seminar to members of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration and the Academy of Experts
- BPP Law School (Legal Practice Course 2002; Postgraduate Diploma in Law 2001); Sheffield University (M.A. in Biotechnological Law and Ethics 2000, 1:1; M.Sc. in Biological Sciences 1999, 2:1)
- Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
Regularly listed in Chambers and Legal 500 where clients say he "is passionate," "cares deeply to get the right result for the client," and "makes me feel as if I am his only client"
Member of an arbitration team recognized by Global Arbitration Review as one of the leading international arbitration law firms in the 2020 edition of the GAR 30