James Gleeson
Partner
James Gleeson TEP is an Advocate of the Royal Court of Jersey and a non-practicing English qualified solicitor. James is a founding Partner of Dickinson Gleeson.
About James
James Gleeson TEP is an Advocate of the Royal Court of Jersey and a non-practicing English qualified solicitor. James is a founding Partner of Dickinson Gleeson.
James has nearly 25 years’ experience of dealing with complex commercial disputes in Jersey and other offshore / international jurisdictions. He has a wide-ranging commercial litigation practice which encompasses insolvency and asset recovery, trust and estate, shareholder, funds and other corporate disputes. James acts for ultra HNWI, HNWI, financial institutions, law firms, executors, settlors, trustees and beneficiaries. He has also frequently been called by foreign courts to appear as an expert witness of Jersey law, regularly appears before Jersey’s senior courts and is recommended in all leading legal directories.
Current cases include acting for GTC in relation to administration proceedings that are shaping the law on dealing with insolvent trusts and the competing rights of creditors (the famous Z Trusts cases which have been the subject of ground-breaking decisions at all levels including the Privy Council). James is currently acting for GTC in proceedings against a former trustee arising from an alleged very substantial breach of trust. James also acts for the representative beneficiaries in a groundbreaking pensions dispute concerning the pension scheme established for the international managers of HSBC. James represents the protector in contested Article 51 TJL proceedings relating to a household name business owned through the trust, which raises issues of corporate governance, succession planning and asset allocation. James acted for a Saudi joint-venture party in relation to a dispute concerning a substantial London commercial property development which went to trial earlier this year, with judgment awaited. James is currently acting in another joint-venture dispute, again relating to a London property development, this time for Omani / BVI clients.
James graduated with a Double First in English Literature from Jesus College, Cambridge, winning a number of university and college prizes. He also has a Diploma in French from Cambridge and an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. He qualified as an English solicitor at Slaughter and May in 2000 and was a partner of another large Jersey law firm until 2010.
James is consistently ranked as a leading lawyer in Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, CityWealth Leaders List and Who’s Who Legal. Chambers 2025 notes: “James is meticulous, technical and extremely aware of all the aspects and circumstances that are relevant to the case.”; and “James is a pleasure to work with. He provides clear advice on complex matters and a good awareness of the commercial considerations”.
The Legal 500 2025 notes: “James Gleeson is a first class advocate who works diligently and constructively with all parties to help achieve the best possible outcome for his clients – he is the perfect no nonsense, user-friendly counsel to help clients and foreign counsel navigate complex cross-border contentious matters.”
He is a member of STEP, ACTAPS, ARIES, and the Overseas Chancery Bar
What They Say About James
2020 - 2021
Leading Individual
“James Dickinson is well regarded for his broad commercial practice where he possesses particular capabilities on contentious trust and asset recovery cases. “He works extraordinarily hard and goes the extra mile.”
Chambers & Partners
Ranked in the following lists:-
- Leaders List
- Top 20 lawyers for 2020
- Top 100 trust litigators and polymaths
- Jersey’s Top 20 Professionals
“Executes, perfect strategies, marshalling insight and style. Organised and inventive.”
Citywealth
Hall of Fame
“James Dickinson is extraordinarily hard working, and very bright. He wants to understand everything and attains a really strong grasp of the factual issues and legal nuances of a case. Not afraid to get stuck in and robust on his feet. Extremely thorough in his preparations and devastatingly effective in court.”
Legal 500
Private Client Global Elite
Legal Week
Top Recommended 2020, Offshore
Spears 500
Global Leader
Who’s Who Legal
Asset Recovery Directory
Litigation Directory
2019 - 2020
Leading Individual
“James Dickinson is an “excellent advocate” who is sought after for expertise in trusts litigation, asset recovery, estates matters and fraud. He is described by one source as “a clever guy who really thinks outside the box.”
Chambers & Partners
Ranked in the following lists:-
- Leaders List
- Jersey’s Top 20 Professionals
Citywealth
Hall of Fame
‘James Dickinson is a seriously clever chap who comes up with imaginative solutions to the most horrible legal problems.’
‘James Dickinson is able, sensible and very articulate.’
‘James Dickinson works exceptionally hard for his clients. He takes complex litigation in his stride and assembles detailed facts and arguments into a clear and persuasive form.’
‘James Dickinson remains impressively hardworking, focused and committed and continues to offer prompt, high quality and pragmatic legal advice.’
Legal 500
Private Client Global Elite
Legal Week
Global Leader
Who’s Who Legal
Asset Recovery Directory
Litigation Directory
2018 - 2019
Leading Individual
“James Dickinson is described by market sources as a “master of complex material” He is frequently called upon to represent clients in trust litigation.”
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
Citywealth
Leading Individual
“Highly recommended.”
Legal 500
Private Client Global Elite
Legal Week
Global Leader
Who’s Who Legal
Asset Recovery Directory
Litigation Directory
2017 - 2018
Leading Individual
“…Impressively hard-working, focused and committed, and offers prompt, high-quality and pragmatic legal advice.”
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
Listed in Summer 2017 Top 50 Editor’s Choice List
“He demonstrates keen awareness of his clients’ priorities in relation to their cases and provides them with robust and perceptive strategic advice.”
Citywealth
Leading Individual
‘Works phenomenally hard for his clients and is a real bruiser in court.’
Legal 500
Private Client Global Elite
Legal Week
Global Leader
The “impressive” James Dickinson is popular with clients, who say: “He stands out in Jersey as a first-rate litigator. He is fastidious about the details of his cases and considers issues from every angle.”
Who’s Who Legal
Asset Recovery Directory
Litigation Directory
2016 - 2017
Leading Individual
“The “ferociously bright” James Dickinson is highlighted by market sources for his “extraordinarily hard-working” nature. He offers particular expertise in contentious trust and estate matters, with additional strengths in insolvency, fraud and company disputes.”
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
“James thrives on complex heavy cases. He always acquires a comprehensive command of his cases and is an insightful tactician. His strong and incisive advice always benefits clients.”
Citywealth
Leading Individual
“…collaborative and a superb tactician.”
Legal 500
Private Client Global Elite
Legal Week
Global Leader
Who’s Who Legal
Asset Recovery Directory
Litigation Directory
2015 - 2016
Leading Individual
“Very thorough and concerned both about checking the fine detail as well as making sure we see the bigger picture. His written work is excellent and he is an effective advocate. As a client you know that he is willing to go the extra mile for you.”James Dickinson is a Partner of Dickinson Gleeson and an Advocate of the Royal Court of Jersey.
James has lived and worked in Jersey for the last 15 years. During that time James has acted for clients involved in some of the largest and most complex proceedings to come before the Royal Court.
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
“James is a shrewd tactician and forms a perceptive and insightful strategic view of the overall case.”
Citywealth
Leading Individual
“…collaborative and a superb tactician.”
Legal 500
Private Client Global Elite
Legal Week
2014 - 2015
Leading Individual
“Impressively hard-working, measured, focused, creative, and ready to set new standards,”
“He does not take things at face value, and will always seek to improve a situation for the benefit of his client.”
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
Citywealth
Leading Individual
“Highly intelligent, very commercial and excellent with strategy.”
Legal 500
2013 - 2014
“Excellent contentious trusts expertise…”
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
Citywealth
“…measured, astute and tactically first rate.”
Legal 500
2012 - 2013
“A clear-thinking analytical lawyer.”
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
Citywealth
“Identifies the relevant legal principles quickly.”
Legal 500
2011 - 2012
“Incredibly hard-working.”
Chambers & Partners
Leaders List
Citywealth
“He gains the confidence of demanding clients in large-scale litigation.”
Legal 500
2008 - 2009
Litigation Associate to Watch
“Peers remark: “He has had some very difficult cases, which he has handled very very well.”
Chambers & Partners
2007 - 2008
Litigation Associate to Watch
“Thorough and professional.”
Chambers & Partners