James Roberts

Partner

Dispute Resolution | Insolvency

T: 02077 976318 (DDI)

M: +4473 53112655

james.roberts@rwkgoodman.com

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About James

James is a Partner in our Dispute Resolution team, based out of our London office.

James specialises in restructuring and insolvency, known for his tenacity and creative problem-solving.

James supports companies, individuals, and insolvency practitioners through complex and often high-pressure situations, always with a clear focus on achieving the best possible outcome. Clients value his commercial, pragmatic approach and the time he takes to understand their challenges from the outset. Whether guiding distressed businesses, advising on insolvency processes, or acting in insolvency litigation, James works closely with clients to deliver practical, tailored solutions—quickly and effectively.

With extensive experience across both non-contentious insolvency and insolvency litigation, James regularly acts for administrators, liquidators, trustees in bankruptcy, and a wide range of stakeholders—including directors, shareholders, financial institutions, and private individuals. His work spans restructurings, administrations, CVAs, liquidations, and personal insolvency solutions, and I also bring significant board advisory experience.

He frequently collaborates with colleagues across the firm’s corporate, disputes, and real estate teams to deliver holistic advice where insolvency touches on wider business and legal issues. Whether it’s navigating complex shareholder disputes, supporting distressed asset sales, or advising on directors’ duties and risks, James ensures our clients receive seamless, joined-up advice.

Clients value his ability to demystify complex processes and guide them calmly and pragmatically through high-stakes and often emotionally charged situations. James prides himself on being solution-focused, strategic, and unafraid to challenge conventional thinking to deliver better outcomes. He take the time to listen, understand the bigger picture, and bring clarity and confidence from start to finish.

Experience:

James has acted on a broad range of complex and high-value insolvency and restructuring matters, both in the UK and internationally. Notable highlights include:

Asset Recovery in High-Value Bankruptcy: Acted in a large-scale bankruptcy involving creditor claims exceeding £30 million, leading asset-tracing efforts to maximise recoveries for the estate.
Accelerated Sale of Distressed Energy Business: Led the successful £10 million sale of a distressed waste-to-energy company through an accelerated M&A process. The deal preserved jobs and enabled the management team to pursue future investment opportunities in a project valued at up to £300 million per annum.
Cross-Border Asset Recovery: Assisted a liquidator with the recovery of assets located in both the Caribbean and Thailand, coordinating international legal efforts to secure and repatriate funds.
CVA to Preserve Business Assets: Guided a client with debts exceeding £100 million through a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), enabling the orderly realisation of assets at the optimal time and avoiding personal bankruptcy.
Resolving Ownership Dispute via Insolvency Mechanisms: Employed strategic insolvency tools to break a deadlock in an ownership dispute involving multiple bubble tea franchises, allowing the business to move forward.
Fraud Investigation Involving Offshore Assets: Conducted detailed investigations into a suspected fraud targeting a charitable trust, with assets traced to Guernsey, supporting efforts to secure and protect the trust’s interests.