James Little

Profile
Experience
Publications + Presentations
News + Insights

Professional Background

James Little is a Partner in the Construction and Infrastructure Practice Group of Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP. He advises on domestic and international construction disputes, including court proceedings, negotiation, arbitration and other dispute resolution alternatives and for a wide variety of construction industry clients. In particular, James offers clients timely advice in relation to construction lien matters whether they are commencing a lien action or defending one. In addition, James advises clients on corporate matters including procurement, contract administration and dispute avoidance techniques.

James was part of the legal team acting on behalf of the Ontario Government in conducting a review of Ontario’s Construction Lien Act and delivering a report, Striking the Balance: Expert Review of the Construction Lien Act. He worked with Partners Bruce Reynolds and Sharon Vogel then worked closely with the Ministry of the Attorney General in drafting Bill 142, “An Act to Amend the Construction Lien Act.” Bill 142 included 98 out of the 101 recommendations presented in the report, and was recently proclaimed in the Ontario Legislative Assembly.

Subsequently, James was a member of the legal team acting for Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and the Government of Canada in conducting a review of prompt payment and adjudication on Federal construction projects. The report, Building a Federal Framework for Prompt Payment and Adjudication, was delivered to PSPC on June 8, 2018.

Prior to joining Singleton Reynolds, James was an Associate for a national law firm as a member of the Construction and Infrastructure Group. James also spent time as counsel to an international insurance corporation, working as part of its Bond and Specialty Insurance Group where he was actively engaged with contractors, owners and subcontractors in resolving bond claims and project disputes.

Education

Bachelor of Engineering Science, University of Western Ontario: 2008
Juris Doctor, University of Windsor: 2013
Called to the Ontario Bar: 2014

Rankings + Recognitions

Award of Excellence, 2019 (The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors “RICS” and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators “CIArb.”)

Memberships

Chair, Canadian Bar Association Young Lawyers Subcommittee for Construction and Infrastructure Law
Member, Ontario Bar Association Construction and Infrastructure Section Executive
Member, Canadian Bar Association
Member, Ontario Bar Association

Representing owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers in dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration and litigation.
Drafting and negotiating various forms of construction contracts on behalf of owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.
Representing surety bonding companies in claims related to construction projects, including performance bond claims and labour and material payment bond claims.
Advising construction clients in respect of construction projects in Canada, the United States and internationally.
Advising owner clients and owner representatives in relation to major transit projects and related claims.
Advising contractor clients in relation to termination and default issues.
Involved in construction cases involving multiple parties and large volumes of documents, including:
- Counsel to a general contractor in respect of various Claims for Lien and a breach of trust action on a multi-million dollar project.
- Participating in the legal team advising an EPCM Project Manager in relation to a CDN$300 Million ICC Arbitration regarding an international mining dispute.

Publications

Co-author, “Construction Act to be Exempt from Suspension of Procedural Time Limits”, April, 2020
Co-author, “Extended Hours for Construction of Essential Projects in the Health Care Sector”, April, 2020
Co-author, “The Emergencies Act and the Construction Industry”, May, 2020
Co-author, “When You Win: Enforcing The Adjudicator’s Decision”, Construction Law Letter | Volume 36, December, 2019
Leadership Review, “Interview with James Little, Emerging Leader”, Construction Economist, Spring, 2019
Co-author, “Nova Scotia to Modernize its Construction Legislation and Introduce Prompt Payment and Adjudication”, April, 2019
Co-author, “SLAPP in the Face – Bondfield Prevails in Anti-SLAPP Motion”, April, 2019
Co-author, “A Report on the Introduction of Prompt Payment and Adjudication: Legislation in The Province of Ontario”, The International Construction Law Review, January, 2019
Co-author, “Singleton Reynolds’ Report on Ontario Prompt Payment and Adjudication is featured in the International Construction Law Review Journal”, January, 2019
Co-author, “Fall Economic Statement 2018: Federal Prompt Payment and Adjudication To Be Introduced”, November, 2018
Co-author, “Prompt Payment and Adjudication in Manitoba: The Ontario Approach Adopted”, November, 2018
Co-author, “I Once Was Lost But Now I’m Found: Ontario Government to Amend the Construction Act via Bill 57, the Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act”, November, 2018
Author, “A Bargain Struck: Surety Bonds under Ontario’s New Construction Act”, September, 2018
Co-author, “A New Construction Act – What Has Changed and How Will It Affect P3 Projects?”, Lexpert Special Edition on Infrastructure, September, 2018
Co-author, “Discretion and Fairness in Contractor Debarment: Interpaving Limited v City of Greater Sudbury, 2018 ONSC 3005”, August, 2018
Co-author, “Ontario’s New Construction Act: Key Changes Coming into Force on Canada Day”, June, 2018
Co-author, Case Study, “Developing Public Policy”, June, 2018
Co-author, “Somewhat Lost in Transition?”, May, 2018

Presentations

Keynote Speaker, CIQS Prompt Payment & Adjudication Webinar Event, June, 2020
Presenter and Moderator, Ontario General Contractor Association 11^th Annual Construction Symposium, April, 2019
Presenter, Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development, “What Happens After Adjudication?”, April, 2019
Presenter, Ontario Bar Association, “Prompt Payment and Adjudication: Are You and Your Clients Ready?”, May, 2019
Presenter and Moderator, “The New Construction Act: What you Need to Know”, Lexpert^® Executive Course, November 2018
Speaker, The Building Show (Ontario General Contractors Association Seminar), “A Guide to the Construction Act of Ontario: Modernizing the Lien Act”, November 2018