James Baldwin
Managing Associate
James is a leading arbitration and litigation expert, guiding clients through high-value commercial disputes across the UAE and beyond.
Managing Associate
James is a leading arbitration and litigation expert, guiding clients through high-value commercial disputes across the UAE and beyond.
Language - English
Jurisdictions - United Arab Emirates, Dubai International Financial Centre, England & Wales
Based in Dubai since 2012, James focuses his practice on high-value commercial disputes arising from business transactions and relationships. His experience covers a wide range of matters including contractual disputes, debt recovery, sale of goods and services disputes, tortious claims, logistics disputes, and real estate disputes, among others.
James has acted for a diverse client base, including investment banks, professional investors, high-net-worth individuals, family offices, construction companies, developers, and corporates across sectors such as financial services, real estate, construction, logistics, hospitality, and clean energy.
He has acted in over fifty arbitrations, including proceedings under the ICC, DIAC and former DIFC LCIA and former ADCCAC rules.
James also has substantial experience before the DIFC Courts and frequently works alongside leading barristers and experts to deliver outstanding results for his clients.
James regularly advises on the merits and risks of litigation under UAE, DIFC and ADGM laws, as well as arbitral and court practices, and the enforcement of arbitral awards and court judgments (both domestic and foreign) within the UAE and abroad. His pragmatic, commercially focused approach is highly valued by clients navigating complex disputes in the region.
James is qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales, a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb) and a DIFC Courts registered practitioner.
Prominent UAE developer
Acting for prominent UAE real estate developer in defence of a claim arising from a plot sale and purchase agreement valued at approximately AED100 million, under DIAC arbitration.Real estate dispute
Representing over 50 property investors from Europe and the MENA region, in a dispute against a prominent UAE developer, recovering approximately AED100 million due to breaches of villa sale and purchase agreements, with proceedings in DIAC arbitration and Dubai Courts.Prominent UAE bank
Acting for a prominent UAE bank in a long running DIFC claim dispute concerning an unregistered bar/restaurant lease. The case explored potential assignment of unregistered interests in land, equitable obligations / estoppel as an exception to registration, the potential for provisional registration, and the enforceability of uncertain and illegal contractual terms.E-waste company
Acting for a waste management company in proceedings before the DIFC Courts, defending against a claim brought by a port owner concerning the import of hazardous goods into the UAE.British-owned developer
Acting for a British-owned real estate developer in defending 30 separate arbitrations brought by property investors due to breaches of apartment sale and purchase agreements across multiple residential projects throughout Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.State owned cable company
Acting for state owned cable company in DIAC proceeding to recover unpaid sums relating to a landmark mixed-use development in Dubai, recovering approximately AED70 million with interest and costs.Master developer / sub developer dispute
Acting for a sub-developer in an arbitral claim against the master developer for AED450 million arising from alleged misrepresentations in its master plan of a reclaimed island in Abu Dhabi.KSA investment bank
Acting for a KSA-based investment bank in a dispute against a Dubai-based investment manager arising from investment into a Sharia’ compliant trade finance fund, involving mediation and DIFC Court proceedings alongside counsel
