James Freeman
Partner
London
James Freeman
Partner
London
Contact details
James heads the International Arbitration Group in the London office. He has conducted arbitrations under all of the major institutional rules and at all of the main seats, in a wide range of industry sectors. He acts in both commercial and investor-state cases. He is a Solicitor Advocate and routinely appears as an advocate at substantive hearings. Legal 500 and Chambers UK has described him as an "excellent advocate", "a class act" and "particularly impressive."
Widely respected in the market, James features in all of the leading legal directories. In Chambers & Partners UK 2024, it is stated that James is “an exemplary lawyer” and “highly effective” and who is “very creative and adapts to the situation that you are in. He is also sensitive to the client's issues and needs”. It is also stated that “James provides an excellent legal service in an ever-changing business environment with a clear client and commercial focus. He thinks outside of the box and moves things forward. He strikes the balance between sufficient depth of advice and efficiency and commercial practicability.” Previous editions have described him as “bright, hard-working and someone you want on your team”; “an impressive advocate and commercial arbitrator”, that “He provides excellent service on matters involving complex commercial and tactical issues” and is “a pleasure to work with. He's super bright and intellectually rigorous”; “A class act. He's thoughtful and sensible”; and “all over the facts of a case,”... “He knows exactly why he's there and is massively persuasive.” Legal 500, 2023 describes James as having a “brilliant mind”. Previous editions have said he is “versatile, smart and pragmatic”; “engaging and always very calm and measured, as well as being fun to work with – responsive and on top of all of the details.” Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2023 states that “James Freeman excels on the international stage, being described as ‘really good practitioner’ who is consistently ‘meticulous and thoughtful’”.
Expertise
Practices
Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations
Public International Law and Investment Disputes
Sectors
Qualifications
Professional
Partner, 2018
Counsel, 2015
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2004
Academic
BA (Hons), First Class, Ancient & Modern History, New College Oxford University, 1998
Post Graduate Diploma in Law, Distinction, City University London, 2000
LPC, Commendation, The College Of Law, London, 2001
Diploma in International Arbitration, Distinction, Queen Mary College, University of London, 2010
Related articles
Blog Post: 22 September 2023
On 6 September, the Law Commission published its final report on proposed reforms to the Arbitration Act 1996 (the Act), along with a Draft Bill to implement the reforms. In this fifth and final…
Blog Post: 21 September 2023
Blog Post: 20 September 2023
Experience highlights
Advising Bank of Cyprus in defeating complex ICC arbitration claims arising out of the Eurozone crisis and the 2013 Cypriot bail-in legislation.
Advising an oil major in an arbitration with a joint venture partner in a deep-water exploration project off West Africa.
Advising JKX Oil & Gas on three investment treaty claims against Ukraine.
Advising a major LNG producer in a price review arbitration of unrivalled complexity involving six European markets and EU competition law issues.
Expertise
Practices
Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations
Public International Law and Investment Disputes
Sectors
Qualifications
Professional
Partner, 2018
Counsel, 2015
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2004
Academic
BA (Hons), First Class, Ancient & Modern History, New College Oxford University, 1998
Post Graduate Diploma in Law, Distinction, City University London, 2000
LPC, Commendation, The College Of Law, London, 2001
Diploma in International Arbitration, Distinction, Queen Mary College, University of London, 2010
Fraudulent emails
Please note there is a known fraud/scam currently using the Allen & Overy brand and James Freeman's name.
More information on fraud using the Allen & Overy brand can be found here.
Please contact inhouselegal@allenovery.com if you have been targeted.
Published work
- Joint editor of "Gas Price Arbitrations" (2nd edition, 2015)
- Chapter on "Practical aspects of price reviews" in "The Law and Business of LNG" (2nd edition)
- Chapter on "Practical issues specific to arbitration concerning financial products" in "International Financial Disputes - Arbitration and Mediation" (OUP, 2015)
- "The use of arbitration in the financial services industry" in Business Law International (December, 2014)
- "Arbitration in international banking and finance : recent developments" in Practical Law (2012)
- "Should parties specify the law applicable to their arbitration agreements"? in Practical Law (January 2014)
- "Guidelines on Party Representation in International Arbitration" (International Arbitration Law Review, 2013)
- "Demystifying the use of arbitration clauses in international finance documents" (Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law, 2012)
- "Ethical issues for counsel in international arbitration" (Practical Law, 2012)
Recognition
James is extremely impressive and thoroughly deserves his exceptional reputation in the industry
Who's Who Legal: Arbitration 2022 - Legal Marketplace Analysis
Excellent critical thinking, James Freeman is particularly adept at disputes involving financial instruments as well as those arising in the energy sector. He has excellent instincts for what the client needs, and exceeds client expectations.
Chambers 2017
In the top 2 “most highly regarded individuals” among non-partners in Europe.
Who’s Who Legal’s Arbitration Future Leaders 2018
James is a quality guy: excellent all round, highly visible on the circuit and very well respected.
Who’s Who Legal’s Arbitration Future Leaders 2017
