James Lankshear

James is instructed on a diverse range of commercial and contractual disputes, including acting for financial brokerage houses in relation to their financial offerings (particularly spread betting and CFDs and other margin traded products).

• Successfully defended a financial brokerage house in a multi-million-pound High Court trial concerning trading in oil derivatives during the negative oil price crash.
• Acted for a financial brokerage house in relation to claim for damages resulting in trading in shares.
• Acted for a FX company in successfully defending a significant High Court claim resulting from the operation of stop losses.
• Successfully acted for various spread betting companies in High Court proceedings involving claims relating to the operation of terms of business and FCA Conduct of Business Rules.
• Successfully represented defendants in substantial High Court proceedings co-accused of defrauding in excess of USD$100 million from Russian state-owned airline Aeroflot Airlines. Obtained an indemnity costs order on behalf of the clients following a contested hearing.
• Acted in a Takeover Panel investigation into the alleged “concert party” activities of certain shareholders of an English listed gold-mining company.
• Acted for a substantial agricultural company in a contractual dispute relating to the use of a dairy farm.

James has acted for clients in international commercial arbitration and sports disputes, including LCIA awards and appearances before the Court of Arbitration of Sport and other professional disciplinary tribunals.

• Obtained a multimillion-dollar award on behalf of an international client in the London Court of International Arbitration.
• Represented an athlete before the Court of Arbitration of Sport in relation to a doping charge, and represented motor sport participants before disciplinary tribunals.

James advises on disputes involving spread betting, FX, derivatives, and enforcement. He acts for trading platforms, investment firms, and financial intermediaries in regulatory and contractual claims and high-stakes litigation.

• Successfully defended a financial brokerage house in a multi-million-pound High Court trial concerning trading in oil derivatives during the negative oil price crash.
• Successfully acted for various spread betting companies in High Court proceedings involving claims relating to the operation of terms of business and FCA Conduct of Business Rules.
• Successfully defended a payroll company against a multi-million-dollar claim brought by a substantial US-based investment firm.
• Acted for a spread betting company in defeating a claim for significant damages based upon an allegation that unlawful advice had been provided to a client.
• Acted for a spread betting company in defeating a claim for significant damages based upon an allegation of breach of statutory duty.

James advises on high-value residential property disputes, including claims involving nuisance, structural damage, and planning objections. He has acted for developers and individuals in complex London-based property litigation.

• Acted for a property developer client in bringing a claim for public nuisance against a London council in relation to significant losses caused to a substantial residential property by tree root damage.
• Acted for a high-profile individual in opposing an application for the construction of an “iceberg” basement in the garden of a residential property based in a well-known London street.

James has acted for financial brokerage houses offering financial and sports spread betting and CFD products since 1996. He’s been involved in several pioneering high-profile disputes in this field.

• Acted for a financial brokerage house in defeating a claim for c£3m brought by a private client for damages pertaining to his trading account. FXCM recovered a sizeable chunk of its expended costs as the successful party. It was the first case on application of the FCA Rules under MiFID II.
• Acted for a spread betting company in defeating a claim for significant damages based upon an allegation that unlawful advice had been provided to a client.
• Acted for a spread betting company in defeating a claim for significant damages based upon an allegation of breach of statutory duty.
• Acted for a spread betting company in recovering significant losses on client account that the client refused to pay because of contract and regulatory defences.
• Acted for a financial brokerage house in relation to claim for damages resulting in trading in shares.

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Commercial Litigation 2021, 2023–2025