Damian James

Partner

Legal

Jersey

+44 (0) 1534 601733 damian.james@collascrill.com LinkedIn vCard

Damian is an experienced litigator who specialises in contentious and semi-contentious trust work and heavyweight commercial litigation.

Experience

Damian is a member of the Fraud Network and is highly ranked in both the main legal directories. He is listed as a prominent figure in the contentious trust section of the Citywealth leading lawyers list and he sits on the board of one of the world's largest litigation funds. The company specialises in funding high profile, multi billion-pound, international group action claims.

Damian is named in Legal 500's Hall of Fame UK lawyers list which identifies exceptional legal talent at the pinnacle of their profession. He is also ranked in band 2 by Chambers in the UK Guide. He has also been recognised as one of the world's leading practitioners in the Lexology Index: Comercial Litigation 2025 and a Thought Leader in Asset Recovery and GIR.

Damian James is a great litigator, straightforward, calm, a good listener, overall providing a very user-friendly experience from a client’s perspective. Legal 500 (UK) 2024

Damian possesses a combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and a client-focused approach. He is highly experienced, and highly thought of by his colleagues and peers, as well as the court officials. Legal 500 (UK) 2024

Damian James is a very good court advocate. He is understated in his style and is always clear on advice. He sees the big picture and is willing to explore more creative solutions. Chambers High Net Worth 2025

He is so very good at trust litigation. He's very strategic and pragmatic, and he always provides commercial arguments. Chambers and Partners 2022

Damian has a real gravitas - he exudes that authoritative quality that's good in court. Chambers UK 2024

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the most complex cases. He is extremely hard-working and knowledgeable, and delivers prompt, concise advice Legal 500

A very good contentious lawyer. He is sensible and has a good common-sense approach to cases, as well as getting to grips with the law. Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2021

Damian is always great in leading representations on behalf of clients in a bold and confident manner. Chambers UK 2023

Particularly good at strategising, considering options and advising accordingly. Legal 500

He's a good lawyer, well-liked by clients. He's done some big-ticket trust litigation. Chambers High Net Worth Guide

A star front man who is easily able to translate technical aspects into commercial practice. Chambers UK 2024

Damian is excellent in court and when dealing with difficult situations. He is an excellent communicator, always keeping me updated, and is a cool and calming influence. Chambers and Partners 2022

Damian is technically very good, his knowledge of Jersey and the law is exceptional and he is very astute. Chambers UK 2024

Damian James is a superb lead counsel who is able to articulate complex debate in a friendly and practical way. Chambers High Net Worth 2025

A first-class lawyer.

Astute, calm and authoritative tactician. Legal 500

Damian James is able to develop and implement effective legal strategies that align with the client's goals. This involves anticipating potential challenges and planning accordingly. Chambers High Net Worth 2025

Bright, patient and strategically superb. Legal 500

A talented advocate with a measured approach. Chambers and Partners

Without a doubt my best asset. Legal 500

Damian stands out as extraordinarily expert and experienced, but is always willing to draw on fresh ideas and new perspectives when suggested.

You would not want anyone else in court assisting you; Damian is remarkable. Chambers UK 2024

Highly thought of by his colleagues and peers, as well as the court officials– in particular the judges.

Damian is a sensible and impressive advocate. Chambers UK Guide 2026

Damian is knowledgeable on the law and an extremely good communicator. He engenders trust very quickly and speaks with authority - the perfect mix of legal expertise and commercial nous. Chambers UK 2023

A leading lawyer in Jersey and a go-to choice.

A master tactician and powerful advocate.

Damian is a top trust litigator. Chambers UK Guide 2026

A superb trusts litigator – in my view, the best in Jersey.

Damian is my primary contact in the DR practice. A pleasure to work with. He has a calm, quiet manner and immediately gets to the heart of the issue. Legal 500 (UK) 2023

What Damian doesn't know about the Jersey court system isn't worth knowing.

Expertise

The role of a modern trustee has never been more complex. Trustees must satisfy the needs and desires of their beneficiaries, manage complex assets and navigate an ever-changing legal and regulatory landscape.

We know that trustees can need assistance and advice on how best to satisfy their duties and to meet their legal and regulatory obligations. We understand and have a great deal of experience in working with trustees to get ahead of any potentially difficult situation and resolve it in a way that minimises risk and conflict.

We represent beneficiaries, high-net-worth individuals, trustees, protectors and other power holders in a range of contentious and semi-contentious situations. Our lawyers have been at the forefront of the most complex, high-value private wealth litigation offshore.

We often deal with novel points of law, creating new and innovative solutions to meet the needs of our clients.

Given the international nature of private wealth, with clients and their assets spread across the world, we work as a joined-up global team so that our clients can benefit from the knowledge and experience wherever they may need it.

With offices in Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey, our contentious private wealth lawyers combine courtroom skill with discreet client care, advising on jurisdictional strategy, interim relief and complex equitable claims.

As the global legal and regulatory landscape becomes ever more complex, managing wealth across generations, succession planning and transferring control of assets has never been more challenging. That's why it's important to work with lawyers who can offer solutions that are tailored to your unique circumstances.

We live in an increasingly contentious world. When your business is involved in any kind of legal dispute it's crucial to work with lawyers who are hands-on, cost-effective and flexible enough to respond quickly and intuitively to your unique situation and needs.

In regulatory disputes there are often fine lines between the usual wrangling with the regulator and something more serious – by matching our mix of experienced contentious and non-contentious lawyers to the particular problem at hand, we achieve better and more efficient outcomes.

As regulatory experts in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey we frequently act on contentious matters and can leverage our experience to help clients achieve the highest regulatory standards and avoid common pitfalls.

We combine pragmatic risk assessment with rigorous legal advice and compliance guidance to reduce exposure and protect reputation, while drawing on our cross-jurisdictional knowledge to design remediation strategies, negotiate with regulators and, where necessary, litigate effectively.

Our collaborative approach ensures clients receive clear, actionable legal advice that balances regulatory obligations with commercial realities, delivers timely, proportionate solutions and supports remediation plans, helping prevent escalation into more serious enforcement action and preserve business continuity.

Our dispute resolution specialists collaborate seamlessly with our corporate advisory and banking teams across jurisdictions to advise multinational corporations, trust companies, banks, funds, insurers, governments and directors.

We provide a global perspective, working closely with our clients to ensure that they are best placed to respond to customer issues, fraud risks, rapidly changing market conditions and regulatory demands.

Thanks to the depth of our experience and the resources of our team, we've acted on some of the largest pieces of litigation brought against directors offshore.

We're well placed to deal with the 'bet the farm' proceedings that can occur in these type of disputes and have represented parties involved in intra-company disputes, including executive, non-executive and independent directors, majority and minority shareholders, companies and liquidators. We understand that shareholder disputes are often not black and white and our team finds innovative and commercial alternatives to those which the Court may offer – taking a collaborative approach with our clients to ensure that the right result is achieved.

Disputes between directors can threaten the stability and governance of a company. We advise boards, individual directors, shareholders and stakeholders in contentious matters involving boardroom deadlock, removal or appointment of directors and conflicts of interest.

Drawing on our corporate, regulatory and dispute resolution expertise, we provide strategic advice in navigating internal power struggles and fiduciary issues. Our cross-border teams work cohesively to resolve disputes efficiently, protect business continuity and mitigate reputational risk.

Whether acting in private companies, joint ventures or complex corporate structures, we help clients manage director-level disputes with clarity and confidence.

News and insights

Expertise recognised in Lexology Index 2026

The expertise of several partners across the firm has been recognised in the latest edition of Lexology Index. Trusted by thousands of companies and organ...

News 13/05/2026

Cayman
Guernsey
Jersey

Damian James

Experience

Expertise

News and insights

Expertise recognised in Lexology Index 2026

A practical guide to trustee blessing applications for 'momentous' decisions

Varying trusts in Jersey

Expertise recognised in Lexology Index

Trusts Jersey Law: Once, twice…eighth time amended

Strong rankings maintained in Chambers UK Guide 2026

Challenges to (in)adequate deliberation after Dawson-Damer – a reminder for trustees

Trust briefing: Challenges to trustee decisions

Trust briefing: When the child was a child

Trust briefing: Breach of trust

Trust briefing: Removing a trustee

Trust briefing: Setting aside transactions involving Jersey trusts

Trust briefing: Protectors in a Jersey trust

Disclosure of information and documents to beneficiaries under Jersey law

Jersey College for Girls wins the inaugural Jersey Collas Crill Moot

In the representation of Summit Services: Court sides with trustee's decision in family trust dispute

Schools to battle it out in the final of the inaugural Jersey Collas Crill Moot

Sustained success for Collas Crill's private client team

Collas Crill builds on strong rankings in 2025 Chambers UK Guide

Private client and trusts talent recognised in Chambers HNW Guide 2024

Chambers HNW Guide 2023

Double-edged sword

Collas Crill: Chambers 2022 UK

Collas Crill acts in landmark case

Collas Crill UK Legal 500 2023

STEP PCA 2022 shortlist

Collas Crill ranked in GRR top 100

Fritha Ford appointment

Chambers recognition

Kea Investments Limited v Watson

Private Client Global Elite

Untangling the Webb v Webb

Legal 500 UK rankings

Chambers High Net Worth guide

Top 100 Trust Litigators list

O dear, O dear

Two appointments to Jersey DR team

Unwinding tax consequences

Sensitive trusts

Winding up the Z III Trust

The latest twist in the Z

RTC and Jersey law on mistake

Investec v Glenalla

Unexplained wealth orders

HMRC's Register of Trusts goes live

Private Client Global Elite 2017

Food for thought: misrepresentation

Galasys: The case so far

Trusts on tour: Jurisdiction clauses in trust instruments

To protect and serve: Understanding the mercurial role of a protector

Protector's removal: Guidance from the Jersey Courts

Asset tracing and recovery in the Channel Islands

The Jack Walker Settlement