• James Couser has a well-regarded practice spanning both corporate and personal insolvency. He is adept at advising on matters concerning asset recovery following a liquidation and is well placed to act for and advise directors on disqualification proceedings.

    Chambers UK Bar (2023)

  • Very bright, gives robust commercial advice and always easy to deal with. Excellent on his feet and well regarded by the insolvency and companies court judges.

    Legal 500 (2024)

  • James is a great tactician.

    Chambers UK Bar (2023)

  • He is a very strong advocate

    Chambers UK Bar (2023)

  • James is a really good junior. He is very experienced in insolvency matters and always has a firm grasp of all the issues quickly.

    Legal 500 (2023)

  • James is a really good junior. He is very experienced in insolvency matters and always has a firm grasp of all the issues quickly.

    Legal 500 (2023)

  • James understands the principles and practical side of insolvency very, very well - he gets to the point and cuts the wheat from the chaff.

    Chambers UK Bar (2022)

  • He is very commercial, realistic and good at what he does.

    Chambers Global (2022)

  • Accessible and works well as part of a team approach often on complex insolvency matters.

    Legal 500 (2022)

  • He is very commercially astute, often spotting commercial and practical points other junior counsel do not.

    Legal 500 (2021)

  • Has a well-regarded practice spanning both corporate and personal insolvency. He is adept at advising on matters concerning asset recovery following a liquidation and is well placed to act for and advise directors on disqualification proceedings.

    Chambers UK Bar (2021)

  • A robust, knowledgeable and thorough advocate who always gives 100% and provides very commercial advice. He is responsive, practical and very user-friendly.

    Chambers Global (2021)

  • James Couser of 13 Old Square Chambers continues to attract attention, and is recommended, as a creditor-focused insolvency practitioner.

    Chambers and Partners 2013 (Restructuring and Insolvency)

  • James Couser of 13 Old Square Chambers is a "no-nonsense and robust advocate who gives commercial advice." Instructing solicitors enthuse that "he strikes the right balance between knowledge of the law and its practical application."

    Chambers and Partners 2012 (Restructuring and Insolvency)

  • Others to receive backing this year include James Couser of 13 Old Square Chambers, who practises in all areas of insolvency and company law. He is a "resilient, no-fuss advocate who has excellent insolvency knowledge."

    Chambers and Partners 2011 (Restructuring and Insolvency)
  • Chambers UK Bar 2024: Leading Junior
  • Chambers Global 2024: Ranked
  • Legal 500 UK 2023: Leading Junior
  • James Couser- C&P 2024

Business details

  • VAT number: 321544826

Overview

James’ practice is largely based in the areas of insolvency and company law, and he has wide experience in all of the various insolvency regimes both personal and corporate.  He is recommended for insolvency work by both Chambers & Prs and Legal 500.

He has particular expertise of asset recovery following liquidation, and insolvency practitioners and solicitors acting for creditors regularly instruct him in these and related matters.

James has acted for a number of former directors in disqualification proceedings and claims brought by liquidators.

In addition to his insolvency practice James undertakes a wide range of commercial litigation, both at first instance in the Chancery and Queen’s Bench Divisions and in the Commercial Court and the County Courts, and on appeal in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Cases of interest

Insolvency

  • Re Patisserie Holdings plc (In Liquidation) [2021] EWHC 3205 (Ch); [2021] 12 WLUK 71
  • Re RJH Stanhope Ltd [2020] EWHC 2808 (Ch); [2020] 9 WLUK 441
  • Jewelite Trading Ltd v Westminster City Council [2020] EWHC 545 (Ch); [2020] 2 WLUK 349; [2021] RVR 42
  • London Capital and Finance plc v Global Security Trustees Ltd [2020] EWHC 597 (Ch); [2020] 2 WLUK 541
  • London Capital and Finance plc (In Administration) v Global Security Trustees Ltd [2019] EWHC 3339 (Ch); [2019] 12 WLUK 101; [2020] WTLR 615; [2021] 1 CL 166
  • Sands v Lynton [2019] EWHC 2500 (Ch); [2019] 7 WLUK 806
  • Hunt v Winkler [2019] EWHC 931 (Ch); [2019] 3 WLUK 437
  • Rossendale BC v Hurstwood Properties (A) Ltd; Wigan Council v Property Alliance Group [2019] EWCA Civ 364; [2019]; WLR 4567; [2019] 3 WLUK 115; [2019] BCC 774; [2019] 2 BCLC 591; [2019] RA 263; [2020] WTLR 253; [2019] CLY 1805
  • Re Baxendale-Walker (A Bankrupt) [2018] EWHC 3572 (Ch); [2018] 12 WLUK 792
  • Misra Ventures Limited v LDX International Group LLP [2018] EWCA Civ 3030; [2018] 11 WLUK 379; [2019] BCC 739; [2019] CLY 1563
  • Re GP Cars (Herts) Ltd [2018] EWHC 2639 (Ch); [2018] 10 WLUK 608; [2019] BPIR 789; [2019] CLY 404
  • Ward v Hutt [2018] EWHC 77 (Ch); [2018] 1 WLR 1789; [2018] 1 WLUK 346; [2018] BPIR 512; [2018] CLY 270
  • Rossendale BC v Hurstwood Properties (A) Ltd; Wigan Council v Property Alliance Group [2017] EWHC 3461 (Ch); [2017] 11 WLUK 763; [2018] RA 251; [2018] CLY 1684
  • Raithatha v Baig [2017] EWHC 2059 (Ch); [2017] 7 WLUK 583; [2018] BPIR 743; [2018] CLY 453
  • Richard Hunt Investments Ltd v Hunt [2017] EWHC 988 (Ch); [2017] 5 WLUK 307
  • Re CF Booth Ltd [2017] EWHC 457 (Ch); [2017] 3 WLUK 348
  • Sands v Layne [2016] EWCA Civ 1159; [2017] 1 WLR 1782; [2016] 11 WLUK 762; [2017] CP Rep 14; [2017] BPIR 215; [2017] CLY 1310
  • Brooks v Armstrong [2016] EWHC 2893 (Ch); [2016] 11 WLUK 414; [2017] BCC 99; [2017] CLY 1318
  • Hicken v Ellison [2016] EWHC 2791 (Ch); [2016] 11 WLUK 173; [2017] BPIR 109; [2017] CLY 6
  • Hemsley v Bance [2016] EWHC 1028 (Ch); [2016] 5 WLUK 116; [2016] BPIR 934; [2016] CLY 1196
  • Brooks v Armstrong [2015] EWHC 2289 (Ch); [2015] 7 WLUK 1044; [2015] BCC 661; [2016 BPIR 272; [2016] CLY 1211
  • Sands v Layne [2014] EWHC 3665 (Ch); [2015] 2 All ER 332; [2014] 11 WLUK 337; [2015] B.P.I.R. 134; [2015] CLY 1410
  • Tailby v HSBC Bank plc [2015] BPIR 143
  • Kirkpatrick v Snoozebox Ltd [2014] BCC 477
  • Re Brand & Harding Ltd [2014] EWHC 247 (Ch)
  • Re McNally [2014] BPIR 604
  • Papanicola v Sandhu [2011] EWHC 1431 (QB)
  • Willetts v Alvey & Ors [2010] EWHC 155 (Ch)
  • Phillips & Anor v McGregor-Paterson [2010] 1 BCLC 72; [2010] BPIR 239
  • Miller v Bayliss [2009] BPIR 1438
  • Wilson v Specter [2007] 6 COSTS LR 862; [2007] BPIR 649

Commercial

  • Green v Petfre (Gibraltar) Ltd (t/a Betfred) [2021] EWHC 842 (QB); [2021] 4 WLUK 5
  • Thitchener v Vantage Capital Markets LLP [2019] EWHC 1576 (QB); [2019] 6 WLUK 876
  • URT Group Ltd v Dowers [2018] EWHC 3195; [2018] 11 WLUK 439
  • FM Capital Partners Ltd v Marino [2018] EWHC 2905 (Comm); [2018] 11 WLUK 17
  • FM Capital Partners Ltd v Marino [2018] EWHC 1768 (Comm); [2018] 7 WLUK 219
  • Merito Financial Services Ltd [2016] EWHC 2067 (Ch); [2016] 8 WLUK 161
  • Legal Costmasters Ltd v Insurance & Legal Services UK Ltd, unrep. 30th April 2013
  • Hurst & Ors v Hone & Ors [2010] EWCA Civ 272
  • Rowles-Davies & Ors v Call 24-7 [2010] EWHC 1443 (Ch)
  • Rowles-Davies & Ors v Call 24-7 (Costs) [2010] 160 NLJ 1043; [2010] EWHC 1695 (Ch)
  • Kevythalli Design v ICE Associates [2010] EWCA CIV 379
  • Cabvision v Feetum & Ors (2009) 107(3) L.S.G. 20; [2009] EWHC 3400 (Ch)

Insurance

  • Yechiel v Kerry London [2010] Lloyds Rep IR 295;[2010] EWHC 215 (COMM)

Construction

  • Edwards v Hyslop [2009] EWHC 2970 QB

Negligence

  • Siddorn v Patel [2007] EWHC 1248 QB

Taxation

  • Hurstwood Properties (A) Ltd v Rossendale BC; Wigan Council v Property Alliance Group Ltd [2021] UKSC 16; [2021] 2 W.L.R. 1125; [2022] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 253; [2021] 5 WLUK 146; [2021] B.C.C. 881; [2021] 2 B.C.L.C. 199; [2021] R.A. 235; [2021] S.T.I. 1587; [2021] 7 C.L. 139
  • Rossendale BC v Hurstwood Properties (A) Ltd; Wigan Council v Property Alliance Group [2019] EWCA Civ 364; [2019]; WLR 4567; [2019] 3 WLUK 115; [2019] BCC 774; [2019] 2 BCLC 591; [2019] RA 263; [2020] WTLR 253; [2019] CLY 1805
  • Rossendale BC v Hurstwood Properties (A) Ltd; Wigan Council v Property Alliance Group [2017] EWHC 3461 (Ch); [2017] 11 WLUK 763; [2018] RA 251; [2018] CLY 1684
  • Chowdhury v Westminster City Council [2013] RVR 271
  • Monster Worldwide (T/A TMP Worldwide) v Westminster City Council [2009] R.V.R. 186

Qualifications & memberships

  • LLB
  • LLM
  • BCL

Professional memberships

  • Chancery Bar Association

Education

  • Hertfordshire, Edinburgh & Oxford Universities

Directory recommendations

James has been recommended for many years by both Chambers & Prs and Legal 500 for Insolvency:

“Very bright, gives robust commercial advice and always easy to deal with. Excellent on his feet and well regarded by the insolvency and companies court judges.”

He is also recommended in the same area in Chambers Global.