James Allsop

Based in Tokyo, James practice centres on advising Japanese and international clients in complex commercial disputes, primarily through international arbitration.  He has acted as counsel and advocate in arbitrations under various institutional rules (HKIAC, ICC, JCAA, LCIA, SIAC, TOMAC, VIAC and before ad hoc tribunals) with seats across Asia and Europe.  He also has extensive cross-border litigation experience in the English High Court and Appellate Courts having practiced for several years in Herbert Smith Freehills' London office. 

James also works with clients on multi-jurisdictional fraud and corruption investigations, advising clients on anti-bribery and corruption matters (including coordinating with various authorities and regulators), corporate governance and crisis management.  James advises clients across various industries, with particular experience in the manufacturing, automotive, technology, pharmaceutical and consumer products sectors. James is also a leading member of the firm's Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Group.

James is qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales and is also a qualified solicitor advocate.  He is licensed to advise in Japan as a Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi.

James' experience includes advising: 

• representing a leading Japanese trading house in a HKIAC arbitration relating to a delay in closing two SPAs worth a combined total of over US$1 billion
• a leading Japanese corporation on an investigation arising out of corrupt practices at an overseas subsidiary, including negotiations with US anti-corruption authorities
• representing the Japanese subsidiary of a major pharmaceutical company in ICC arbitration proceedings on the termination of a co-promotion agreement
• a major Japanese trading company in London ad-hoc arbitrations and parallel TOMAC arbitrations in relation to disputes arising out of a series of ship building contracts
• representing a major Japanese trading house in connection with a VIAC arbitration concerning delays and disruption to the completion of an urban rail project in Southeast Asia

Background

James was previously based in Herbert Smith Freehills’ London and Tokyo offices. James is qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales and is also a qualified solicitor advocate.