Areas of Practice
Track Record
Public Trustee v Cooper applications in the Bermudan and Bahamian courts concerning the restructuring of trusts holding dynastic trading businesses, acting for trustees, beneficiaries and guardian ad litem (asset value +$1bn)
Unfair prejudice proceedings brought by trustees in the English High Court in relation to a privately held business
A high-value commercial negotiations and trust restructuring concerning a private family business trading in Africa, India and the Middle East; and
Privy Council agency work for offshore trust litigation.
Conference Speaking
Trusts in Litigation 2021 conference, hosted by Informa and the Contentious Trusts Association – 2021
Private Client Summer School – The Ultimate Insider’s Guide, hosted by ConTrA and ThoughtLeaders4 – August 2021
Awards & Rankings
Legal 500, Leading Associate, 2025 & 2026
Chambers HNW, Associates to Watch, 2025
Private Client Global Elite, Excellence, 2024
Legal 500, Rising Star, 2020 – 2024
Eprivateclient, Top 35 under 35, 2020 & 2021
Education & Qualification
Royal Academy of Music (University of London) BMus, MA
Qualified as a solicitor in 2016
Recommended by James
Does retaining control really mean minority shareholders won’t change the way a business is run? In Accountancy Today, Private Wealth Senior Associate, James Woods‑Davison outlines five common misconceptions and explains how legal protections, governance, and dispute risks often challenge assumptions around control, confidentiality, and financial exposure once minority shareholders are introduced following the April 2026 BPR changes.
Read more 3 min read 27 Aug 2025 James Woods-Davison speaks at the TL4 & ConTrA Private Client Summer SchoolThis Friday, Private Wealth Disputes Senior Associate, James Woods-Davison will be speaking at the TL4 & ConTrA Private Client Summer School in Cambridge. James will join Joanne Morse of Summit Trust International to lead a session on “Value-Driven Investing”. With its mix of expert-led sessions, practical workshops and informal networking, the event offers an invaluable opportunity for junior practitioners to develop their technical expertise and broaden their practice.
Read more 5 min read 01 Jul 2025 Modernising wills – A significant step, but work is still to be doneIn eprivateclient, Partner, Nicola Bushby explores the Law Commission’s Modernising Wills report, highlighting key proposals for reforming the law of wills, such as recognising electronic wills and adopting the test for capacity in lieu of the common law test. While progress is clear, concerns remain, especially around the rule revoking wills upon marriage.
Read more 2 min read 10 Jun 2025 Clare Stirzaker speaks at Private Client Advisory and Litigation Forum in ParisThis Friday at the Private Client Advisory and Litigation Forum in Paris, Partner, Clare Stirzaker joins retired tax lawyer, Matthew Hutton to speak on the topic of “Getting your Affairs in Order”, focusing on relationships and records.
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