Personal bio
James Baldwin is a solicitor qualified in England and Wales and has been based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, since 2012. He currently serves as a Senior Associate at international law firm, Taylor Wessing LLP, where he specialises in arbitration and dispute resolution. Throughout his career, James has represented clients in various legal forums, including the DIFC Courts and under the Arbitration Rules of the DIFC-LCIA, DIAC, ADCCAC, IICRA, ICC, and LCIA where he often conducts his own advocacy. While in the UK, he also gained experience in representing clients in the English Courts and mediation. James has developed significant expertise in handling disputes related to UAE real estate. His clients have included developers, banks, investors, and purchasers. Notably, James has managed more than fifty arbitrations arising from off-plan sale and purchase agreements, including claims related to changes in size and specification, as well as delays or non-completion of construction. A commercial lease dispute in the DIFC Courts is now a leading case applying the DIFC property law (Vegie Bar v Emirates NBD Properties (CFI-009-2016 and CA-001-2020). In addition, James also has a broader practice that encompasses commercial litigation and debt recovery. Some of his cases include: - Representing a listed investment bank in the DIFC Courts to recover USD 10 million in losses stemming from its investment in a Sharia-compliant trade finance fund. - Acting in the DIFC Courts for a recycling/waste management company in a dispute against a port owner regarding the import of hazardous goods into the UAE. - Handling debt recovery matters for a UK-listed consultancy, involving arbitration, DIFC Courts, and Dubai Courts. - Successfully representing a state-owned cable company in a DIAC arbitration to recover unpaid sums with interest totaling AED 18.3 million. Furthermore, James has experience of construction-related disputes, including: - Representing a sub-contractor in an ICC arbitration and DIFC Court Proceedings on a notable Downtown Dubai project, resulting in a successful recovery of AED 17 million. - Handling an ICC arbitration for an MEP consultant, recovering an AED 1 million debt from the main contractor. - Acting in a DIAC arbitration for a villa owner in a claim against a contractor arising from delays under a villa renovation contract, for approximately AED 6.5 million. - Representing a sub-developer against a master developer in a claim for AED 450 million concerning misrepresentations related to the master plan of a reclaimed island in Abu Dhabi. Before relocating to the UAE in 2012, James also gained extensive experience in professional indemnity matters, with a specific focus on claims brought against solicitors and surveyors.