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Partner, Dispute Resolution

James Cradick

James is a recognised expert advising a multinational client base in relation to a broad range of commercial disputes. Described as an ‘experienced and effective litigator’ he specialises in arbitration and commercial litigation arising in respect to sale and purchase contracts, supply chain and distribution issues, disputes and risk management in the logistics, insurance, shipping and commodities sectors. He regularly acts in a wide range of high value general business disputes, many of which are cross-border. He jointly heads the firm’s Transport & Logistics team and is a former barrister retaining higher rights of audience.

James Cradick

Specialisms & expertise

  • International Commercial Disputes
  • Arbitration (both ad hoc and institutional pursuant to the rules of the LCIA, ICC, SCC, LMAA and trade bodies such as GAFTA, FOSFA and the LME)
  • Shipping, Transport, Logistics and Supply Chain and warehousing disputes
  • Insurance Litigation (acting for and against insurers in disputes arising from policy wordings, coverage and subrogated recovery claims
  • Disputes arising from international trade and the sale of goods, with an emphasis on commodity trading
  • Disputes arising from standard terms, joint ventures, partnership and shareholder agreements, professional negligence, supply contracts and general contractual disputes.

Examples of work

Acting for mining company in LCIA arbitration in multi-million dollar dispute

Acting for ship owners in multi-million dollar ship repair dispute

Representing MGA in multi-million pound dispute

Defending logistics operator in various claims

Acting on behalf of aircraft owners

Representing Buyers and Sellers in numerous high value GAFTA and FOSFA arbitrations

Acting for a Swiss trading company in a complex dispute arising from the sale of steel mills in Russia

Acting for and against freight forwarders, warehouse owners, hauliers and cargo interests pursuant to disputes

Representing one of the world’s largest mining companies in a complex dispute

Acting for the administrators of a development company in a multi-million pound dispute

Representing directors and shareholders in numerous commercial disputes

Acting for an established high street clothing chain in test litigation concerning the duties

Representing commodity traders in ICC arbitration with Portuguese customers arising from disputed contracts

Achievements & other appointments

James is a former barrister with higher rights of audience. He worked for a number of leading City firms prior to joining Thomson Snell & Passmore in 2014. He became a Partner in 2019.

James is consistently recommended in the major guides to the legal profession where he is highly ranked in both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners directories both for commercial disputes work (litigation and arbitration) and for shipping, transport and logistics.

James has also previously been endorsed by Thomson Reuters in their Super Lawyers directory as a ‘rising star’. He is part of the firm’s Dispute Resolution team that is praised by clients in the guides for being ‘an exceptional team’ with ‘a client-centred ethos and commitment to good service’. He is a regular speaker and contributor to trade, local, national and international publications

James Cradick, Chambers 2024 The Legal 500 2024 Leading Individual

Education

James attended Sheffield University where he obtained a BA/Hons (History). He attended BPP Law School, London where he obtained his Bar Vocational Course and Graduate Diploma in Law.

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