Confident

advocacy

tactical advice"

Legal 500

James Arney

James Arney

Profile

Cited since 2009 in the Legal 500 for personal injury and costs, and as a "Leader of the Bar" in costs work in Chambers UK since 2010. 

James has a multi-track, predominately claimant-based personal injury practice, bringing a proactive "team" approach to his cases.  His work incorporates fatal accident claims, a good appreciation of Ogden7, tactical insight for JSMs and mediations, and the ability to deliver difficult messages in challenging cases. 

James' costs work incorporates detailed assessments and appeals, CFA technical challenges, advising solicitors where their systems are challenged, and drafting CFAs/documents relating to compliance.

James has experience in ancillary relief cases spanning 19 years, regularly handling cases with assets in the region of £2M - £5M. 

What the Directories say

Cited as a "Leader at the Bar" for Costs in Chambers & Partners since 2010, and cited in the Legal 500 for Personal Injury and Costs since 2009.

"...careful and convincing advocate" - Chambers & Partners (costs) 2012.

"...a classic pair of safe hands" - Legal 500 (personal injury) 2011.

"...a very good up-and-coming barrister in this field" - Legal 500 (costs), 2011.

"...praised for his sensible and tactical advice and confident advocacy" - Legal 500 (costs) 2009.

"...good in this area, and on costs" - Legal 500 (personal injury)(2009).

Notable Cases

  • Chong v British Waterways Board (2011)(Personal Injury)  :  Ongoing liability and quantum dispute, defending a potential multi-million pound claim on behalf of BWB in respect of a catastrophically injured holidaymaker. 
  • Walker v Wilde (2011)(Personal Injury)  :  £508,000 settlement on behalf of a serving police officer who intended to pursue a substantial second career in intelligence after retiring from the police force. 
  • Shanley v Dhawan (2011)(Personal Injury)  :  £205,000 settlement on behalf of a claimant with facts very similar to those in the leading Ogden 6 case, Conner v Bradman. 
  • Knight v Foote (2011)(Fatal accident)  :  £260,000 settlement where liability remained in dispute up to the point of settlement.
  • Bennett v Biggs (2011)(Personal Injury)  :  £590,000 settlement, defending a claim that was pleaded at over £1.3M.
  • Harper v Sandel (2011)(Personal Injury)  :  £230,000 settlement on behalf of a young likely to face a total knee replacement.
  • Davies v Palterman (2011)(Personal Injury)  :  £650,000 settlement on behalf of a claimant who spent 3 years wearing an Ilizarov frame.
  • Sutherby v Tigwell (2011)(Personal Injury)  :  £431,000 settlement on behalf of a longstanding air hostess who was likely to lose her highly favourable flight concession package with Virgin Airways.
  • Guest v Jobson (2010)(Personal Injury)  :  £250,000 settlement on behalf of a claimant, featuring an Ogden 6 future loss of earnings claim.
  • Kennedy v Terry Smith Group Ltd (2010)(Fatal Accident)  :  £250,000 settlement in a fatal case in which liability, causation, contributory negligence and quantum all remained live issues.
  • Cuppa v Leathermode (2010)(Personal Injury)  :  £525,000 settlement on behalf of a prospective amputee.
  • Witkowski v Manor Concepts Ltd (2010)(Personal Injury)  :  £480,000+ settlement in respect of a claimant with a partial foot amputation.
  • Sully v Willis (2010)(Personal Injury)  :  £122,000 settlement on behalf of a chronic pain sufferer.
  • Whitfield v Akers (2010)(Personal Injury)  :  £100,000 settlement on behalf of a claimant with fibromyalgia.
  • Baldock v Walker (2010)(Fatal Accident)  :  £175,000 settlement defending a fatal claim which incorporated a claim for future residential care of surviving spouse.
  • Dashwood v Walpole (2010)(Personal Injury)  :  £100,000 on behalf of a claimant facing DVD surveillance evidence.
  • Morgan v Veolia (2010)(Fatal Accident)  :  £212,500 on behalf of dependants in a fatal claim involving complex issues including the significance of a replacement family.
  • Richardson v Gibson (2009)(Costs)  :  Test case covering issues such as retrospective CFAs, in-house experts, funding costs and CFA compliance.
  • Williams v Craggs (2009)(Costs)  :  Recoverability of disbursements where CFA held to be unenforceable.
  • Bath v Denn (2008)(Costs)  :  Late amendment only admitted on payment of all costs to date.
  • Dunn v Mici (2008)(Costs)  :  Reg. 4(2)(c) challenge involving litigation friends.
  • Ben-Tovim v Oates (2008) (Personal Injury)  :  Contested award exceeding £200,000 involving novel seatbelt issues and the acceptance of Ogden 6 to calculate future loss of earnings.
  • Stevens v Paddington CHAL (2008)(Personal Injury)  :  Contested liability trial spanning almost a year, where a star witness was located mid-trial and her evidence successfully introduced.
  • Pacey v Chatsworth Forge Ltd (2009)(Personal Injury)  :  Settlement meeting, including Ogden 6 claim, resulting in a gross award of over £400,000.

Memberships

Personal Injury Bar Association

Family Law Bar Association

Bar Golfing Society