James Wickes
Partner
James Wickes specialises in advising London market non-marine insurers on complex coverage disputes (both direct and facultative reinsurances) and defending claims against financial professionals/institutions.
His practice particularly involves advising financial and professional lines insurers, including PI, D&O, W&I and Crime / Fidelity insurance.
He also defends claims against financial professionals, including directors, insurance brokers, IFAs, trustees, tax advisers, collateral managers, wealth managers and investment/asset/fund managers.
Prior to joining RPC, James worked in-house in a global commodities trading firm in Hong Kong, which developed his knowledge and understanding of complex financial products, many of which have been the subject of claims in the financial lines market in recent times.
He has been on secondment to the financial lines claims teams at Brit Syndicate 2987, Pembroke Syndicate 4000 and AIG Europe Limited.
He was named in The Lawyer's Hot 100 lawyers in January 2016.
James has been recognised as a Leading Individual for Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation and a Next Generation Partner for Professional Negligence by The Legal 500 UK (2022). He has also been recognised as a Notable Practitioner for Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance in Chambers UK (2022).
Directory quotes
"James Wickes is extremely responsive, thorough and attentive to our needs. He understands the market and is always thinking of commercial solutions." - Chambers UK 2024
"James Wickes is a true all-rounder. Technically astute, commercially aware, adaptable, and down to earth. One of my go-to’s for all aspects of financial institutions / directors & officers disputes and coverage." - Legal 500 UK 2023
Ranked – Chambers UK 2022
"James Wickes has considerable expertise in insurance and reinsurance disputes. He regularly advises on matters concerning financial lines, including W&I and D&O insurance claims. James is very approachable and commercial and has a great understanding of the insurance market." - Chambers UK 2022
Leading individual - The Legal 500 UK 2022
Next generation partner - The Legal 500 UK 2022
Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2022
"James Wickes is lauded as a “star” with an impressive practice, where he assists professionals in the finance sector facing negligence claims." - Who's Who Legal: Professional Negligence 2020
"Next Generation Partner" - The Legal 500 UK 2021 (Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation)
"Next Generation Partner" - The Legal 500 UK 2021 (Professional Negligence)
"Recommended" - The Legal 500 UK 2017 (Professional Negligence & Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation)
"James Wickes is ‘a rising star’" - The Legal 500 UK 2017(Professional Negligence & Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation)
"Recommended" - The Legal 500 UK 2018 (Professional Negligence & Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation)
"Next Generation Partner" - The Legal 500 UK 2020 (Professional Negligence & Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation)
"Recommended" - The Legal 500 UK 2016
Memberships
British Insurance Law Association
City of London Law Society Social Mobility Forum
Relevant work
AXA Corporate Solutions SA v National Westminster Bank Plc & MarshLtd - defending claim against insurance broker
Ace European Group & Ors v Standard Life Assurance Ltd - insurance dispute involving claim for mitigation costs