James Kinnaird

Employment litigation

James acts for employers and employees to bring or defend claims for injunctions and damages in the High Court. These include breach of restrictive covenants in employment contracts, appropriation and misuse of confidential information and trade secrets, unlawful team moves between competing employers and breach of contract. 

He also strategically advises companies planning to recruit from competitors and individuals prior to moving to competitors. 

James’ recent cases in this area include:

• Acting for an energy trader in High Court litigation for injunctions and an eight figure damages claim.

• Acting for an energy broker in an employment claim for breach of contract and a seven figure damages claim.

• Acting for an employer in a High Court claim for injunctions and damages/an account of profits for misuse of confidential information and trade secrets and breach of restrictive covenants.

• Acting for an employer in a High Court claim for injunctions and damages relating to an unlawful team move, misuse of confidential information and breach of restrictive covenants.

• Acting for a company director in a High Court claim for misuse of confidential information and damages.

Commercial litigation and fraud

James acts for companies and shareholders on inter-company disputes, including unfair prejudicial conduct petitions under Section 994 of the Companies Act 2006. 

He advises clients on breach of contract, breach of warranty, misrepresentation, conspiracy, deceit, dishonest assistance and knowing receipt. 

James acts for businesses, directors and senior employees in cases involving white-collar crime and misconduct.

James’ recent cases in this area include:

• Acting for high net worth individuals in the High Court in a claim for an account arising from white-collar fraud for a seven figure sum.

• Acting for multiple shareholders (individuals and companies) in a petition for unfair prejudicial conduct under s994 Companies Act 2006 for a seven-figure sum.

Energy and renewables 

James is part of the firm’s energy & renewables team and principally advises companies and individuals in the energy industry including trading and broking.