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VIEW ALLCHAMBERS UK 2025He has a fantastic grasp of the law combined with great understanding of the technical and commercial side of construction.
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James Stewart is the Managing Partner of Howard Kennedy. James is responsible for driving the overall strategic direction and performance of the firm.
Prior to taking on this role, James was Head of Real Estate, a full-service department of eight teams and 160 people, where he advised clients on a broad mix of contentious and non-contentious construction and development work. He has been a member of Howard Kennedy's board since 2023.
James is a construction lawyer with particular expertise in development and development finance, advising on residential, commercial and mixed-use schemes. His work spans the full lifecycle of a project, from initial structuring and funding through to completion and post-completion disputes. He advises on professional appointments, bonds, warranties, and construction contracts, as well as the construction elements of development agreements.
He acts for a range of clients including developers, funders, consultants, and specialist sub-contractors. His advice covers the entire project journey, with a focus on risk mitigation and commercial outcomes, including dispute avoidance, adjudications and the resolution of final account and defect issues. He continues to work closely with clients to navigate the increasingly complex legal and commercial challenges of the built environment.
- Advising a contractor on the design and construction of The Collective, Canary Wharf, including negotiations upon terms of the contract and supporting documents, to the value of circa £60m.
- Advising the developer on forward funding and construction aspects of a £135m 650 unit residential scheme forward sold to a Scandinavian fund.
- Advising the developer on forward funding and construction aspects of a £150m 600 unit residential and mixed use scheme forward sold to a PRS operator backed by a US fund.
- "I like James' no-nonsense approach." Chambers UK 2025
- "James Stewart is an excellent lawyer." Chambers UK 2025
- Ranked Band 6, Construction: Non-Contentious (London Firms), Chambers UK 2025
- Ranked Band 6, Construction: Non-contentious, Chambers UK 2024
- "James fights his client's corner well." Chambers UK 2024
- "James is an excellent communicator and tailors his advice to suit business needs." Chambers UK 2024
- "James is an excellent problem solver." Chambers UK 2024
- Ranked Band 6, Construction: Non-contentious, Chambers UK 2023
- ''James is a strategic thinker, and his problem-solving ability is why we instruct James again and again.'' Chambers UK 2023
- ''James's support and knowledge on construction matters is both extensive and invaluable.'' Chambers UK 2023
James loves good food and wine and spends his spare time supporting those passions.