James Watson Watson

Legal Director
About

James Watson has significant experience in commercial/civil litigation and dispute resolution particularly in relation to IT, Software, Technology, Telecommunications and contractual disputes.

James gives commercial and practical advice to his clients on avoiding, managing and resolving commercial disputes. James has extensive experience of High Court litigation, International Arbitration and ADR, including mediation.

His clients are varied and include a number of national and international businesses.

James is a key part of DLA Piper's technology disputes practice.

Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

EXPERIENCE

  • Acting in arbitration and litigation proceedings relating to major IT solution implementations.
  • Acting for several global telecoms carriers in relation to telecommunications services disputes.
  • Advising and acting to recover monies due under contractual relationships in multi-jurisdictional matters with global contracting parties.
  • Advising in relation to warranty and indemnity claims arising out of corporate transactions.
  • Advising in relation to wrongdoing by employees in relation to misuse of confidential information.
  • Advising in relation to software licensing audits and claims by major software companies for breach of licensing and copyright.
  • Acting for a significant telecom company in relation to an agreement to take capacity on a satellite - USD19 million dispute.
  • Acting for a provider of a fibre optic communications network in relation to its GBP7 million claim in the High Court for non-payment of fibre installation costs and ongoing O & M in relation to a sub sea cable.
  • Acting for telecommunications operators in relation to matters concerning PRS, PBX fraud and artificially inflated traffic (AIT).
  • Acting for a leading foundations contractor in obtaining injunctive relief including a search and seize order as a result of alleged wrongdoing by an ex-employee.
Languages
  • English
Education
  • College of Law, York, Legal Practice Course, 2003

  • University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Law LLB (Hons), 2002

Awards

James is recognised in the Legal 500 as a Next Generation Lawyer for IT and Telecoms.

Publications

  • WIN Wise: IT Projects and dispute avoidance, 14 May 2020
  • WIN Wise - Tech dispute checklist, 11 March 2020
  • WIN Wise: Software Audits - Top Tips, 25 Mar 2019
  • WIN Wise - Disclosure and disruptive innovation?, 5 Mar 2019

Prior Experience

  • 2020 to present: Legal Director, DLA Piper, Sheffield
  • 2011 to present: Senior Associate Solicitor, DLA Piper, Sheffield
  • 2005 - 2011: Associate Solicitor, DLA Piper, Sheffield
  • 2003 - 2005: Trainee solicitor, DLA Piper, Sheffield

Memberships And Affiliations

  • James is a committee member of the International Telecommunications Credit Risk Forum

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