James Behrens

Call: 1979

“Widely praised by clients for the way he helps the parties find a solution to their disputes, his professionalism, and his success.”

: Email James
: +44 (0)20 7242 6105
: Contact Practice Managers
: vCard
: Download CV
: Shortlist

James Behrens’ practice focuses on mediation and arbitration. He has over 25 years’ experience settling a wide range of disputes spanning a variety of sectors.

Before focusing on ADR, as a barrister, he had a broad commercial and chancery practice covering company, insolvency, partnership, property trusts and probate matters.

Areas of Expertise

Arbitrators

James has been a chartered arbitrator since 2001 and is a fellow and former council member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He holds the Chartered Institute’s diploma in international commercial arbitration.

James has had over 100 appointments as an arbitrator, mainly in disputes concerning the computer and telecommunications business, partnerships, real property, sale of goods, and financial services.

James also acts as a barrister in commercial and property arbitrations. Most of his recent appointments have been in property matters. He is a member of the CIArb property panel.

Recent appointments include:

£2 million dispute concerning the management of an estate in Lambeth
Family dispute concerning a property investment partnership
Two medical partnership disputes

Clients value his experience, approach and professionalism.

Mediators

James has conducted over 100 mediations, roughly two-thirds in the chancery and commercial fields, with the remainder covering a wide range of other subjects.

Several cases have an international element or involve cultural or religious issues.

He was a director of Mediation UK for three years and, for five years, provided pro bono community mediation for the Camden Mediation Service. He also completed a PhD on mediation in 2002.

Examples of his work include:

A group mediation involving over 50 participants and lasting four days, but most cases are settled in one day or less
Mediation of an unfair prejudice petition between the shareholders of a £3 million company (Settled)
Mediation of a proprietary estoppel claim concerning a £1.3 million property (Settled)
Mediation of £1 million dispute concerning stem cell research (Settled)

James is widely praised for the way he helps the parties find a solution to their disputes, his professionalism, and his success.

: Email James
: +44 (0)20 7242 6105
: Contact Practice Managers
: vCard
: Download CV
: Shortlist

For general enquiries and instruction advice, please contact our Practice Management Team:

Call: +44 (0)20 7242 6105
or email: clerks@serlecourt.co.uk

Appointments

Recorder (2005-2010)
Deputy Chancellor of the Diocese of Bath and Wells (2004-2010)
Chancellor of the Diocese of Bristol (2004-2009)
Chancellor of the Diocese of Leicester and Bristol (2002-2010)
Deputy Chancery Master (2000-2010)
Chartered Arbitrator (2001)
CEDR accredited Mediator (1998)
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Licensed Church of England lay minister

Recommendations

Mediation Hall of Fame, Legal 500

Publications

James Behrens, Mediating trust and estate disputes, Trusts & Trustees (2023)
Practical Church Management (Gracewing, 1998, 2005, 2014 and 2021) The book is available from www.gracewing.co.uk or www.chbookshop.co.uk.
Med-Arb: a successful combination for beneficiaries? (New Law Journal, November 2019)
Resolving trust and estate disputes by mediation (ACTAPS Journal No 217, January 2018)
Atkin’s Court Forms volume 18(1) – ecclesastical law (LexisNexis, 2018)
Encyclopedia of E-Commerce Law (Sweet & Maxwell, 2003), a contributor
Church Disputes Mediation (Gracewing, 2003)
Case Preparation (Blackstone Press, 1996, 1997, 2000 and 2002), a contributor
Researching the Legal Web (Butterworths, 1997 and 1999), a contributor
WordPerfect for the Legal Profession (1990)

Memberships

The Chancery Bar Association
The Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
The Association of Contentious Trust & Probate Specialists (ACTAPS)
The Ecclesiatical Law Society (Honorary Life Member)
The Canon Law Society of Great Britain & Ireland
The Property Bar Association
The LCIA
Licensed lay minister in the London diocese (2016)
Council member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (2003-2005)
Trustee of Mediation UK (2000-2003)
Council member Society for Computers & Law (1992-2000)
Member of the working party for Information Technology & the Courts (ITAC) (1992-1999)
Member of the Bar Council (1992-1994)