James Downie

James has over 20 years’ experience, with an extensive track record in upstream oil and gas transactions including M&A and development and operational contracts. He has extensive experience in the UKCS and has also worked on transactions in the US, Malaysia, Mexico, Romania, the Caribbean and Egypt.

He is particularly interested in decommissioning and acts for a number of operators and non-operators on decommissioning issues. He is a member of the Oil & Gas UK Legal Issues Decommissioning Workgroup and the Law Society of Scotland Energy Policy Committee.

Dual-qualified in Scots and English law, he is named as a Leading Lawyer in the 2021 edition of the Legal 500 which says that he “has a deep understanding of the upstream oil and gas sector and has an ability to understand what is important for his client” and that he “consistently delivers sound, pragmatic advice in a clear and concise manner”.  He also continues to be ranked in Chambers Guide (2021 - 2016), having been described as “known as a true oil and gas expert by market sources.  Clients describe him as an “excellent lawyer who always provides very good, timely legal and commercial advice”.  James is a 2019 Acritas Star - independently rated lawyer.

James contributed to the “Technical and Legal Guide to the UK Oil and Gas Industry” and the “Technical and Legal Guide to Global Hydrocarbons.