James Little | Partner - Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP

James Little brings to his clients an enviable combination of engineering and legal backgrounds. His legal solutions are innovative, his strategies nimble, and he is very responsive to his client’s needs.

General Counsel
Crown Corporation

James is very calm and always open to listening to our ideas. He is a skilled researcher who is always impeccably prepared. He is straight forward to deal with, and he discusses the matters and options available to us from a legal point of view.

Who’s Who Legal

James Little is heralded by a construction client as “very knowledgeable [and an] expert in his field, with a great reputation within the construction industry”.

Benchmark Canada

James has a work ethic that is unmatched by any other lawyer we have worked with. James is the consummate professional. He possesses incredibly broad knowledge of construction and surety law in Canada.

Who's Who Legal

James Little is a keen-minded lawyer with clear strategies to advocate for his clients. He has deep experience and knowledge of the infrastructure sector. He is a rising star with a bright future. (Future Leader)

Who's Who Legal

James Little earns worldwide endorsements for his construction practice which sees him advise clients on a variety of matters, including major infrastructure projects, mining projects, hospitals and commercial construction projects.

Who's Who Legal

Rankings

James Little is top-ranked by Leading Global Rankings Agencies and Directories.

Profile
Experience
Publications + Presentations
News + Insights

Professional Background

James Little is a Partner in the Construction and Infrastructure Practice Group at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP. For his expertise and reputation in construction law, James has been ranked by Chambers Global, Who’s Who Legal, Legal 500, Benchmark Litigation and Best Lawyers. These rankings are based on comments from his clients recognizing his “keen mind”, his “innovative” strategies, “impeccable” preparedness and “unmatched” work ethic.

As a leading practitioner in his field, James has developed a growing practice where he advises on domestic and international construction disputes, including court proceedings, negotiation, arbitration and other dispute resolution alternatives for a wide variety of construction industry clients. He regularly advises clients on a variety of different types of projects including major national and international infrastructure projects, mining projects, hospitals and commercial construction. James is often called upon to advise on construction projects during the pre-construction, design and construction phases, including advice in respect of risk mitigation, dispute avoidance and claims management. His focus is on providing a high level of service through effective and timely advice and advocacy while managing and resolving disputes.

James is also a committed contributor within the construction bar. He is the current Vice-Chair of the Society of Construction Law of North America and a member of the Ontario Bar Association Construction and Infrastructure Executive. James is focused on developing himself as a thought leader by providing perspectives in respect of construction law in Canada through his work on case notes, papers and journal articles.

In his spare time, James enjoys exploring Ontario with his two primary-age boys.

Education

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

Rankings + Recognitions

Recognized as the Top Construction Lawyer in Ontario by the Lexology Client Choice Awards.
Recognized as a Rising Star by the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
Recognized as a Lexology Legal Influencer for Q2, 2023 for Dispute Resolution – Canada.
Recognized as a Next Generation Partner in Canadian construction by The Legal 500.
Recognized in Chambers Canada — Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Construction) in the area of Construction Law (Band 5).
Recognized in Benchmark Canada – The Definitive Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys as a “Future Litigation Star”.
Recognized in Who’s Who Legal – Construction.
Recognized as a leading lawyer in the Lexpert® Globe and Mail Report on Business Special Edition on Infrastructure.
Ranked in the area of Construction Law by Best Lawyers Canada®.
Recognized in Benchmark Litigation’s 40 & Under Hot List.
Award of Excellence, 2019 (The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors “RICS” and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators “CIArb.”).

Memberships

Vice Chair, Society of Construction Law North America
Past Member, Ontario Bar Association Construction and Infrastructure Section Executive
Member, Canadian Bar Association
Member, Ontario Bar Association

Community + Volunteering

Chair, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP

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.
Advising an EPCM Project Manager in relation to a CDN$300 Million ICC Arbitration regarding an international mining dispute.
Advising on a CDN$40 Million hospital transformation project.
Representing an infrastructure client in relation to a multi-Billion cross-border transportation project.

Publications

Co-author, “Bennington Financial Corp. v. Medcap Real Estate Holdings Inc.: The Limits of the Immediate Disclosure Rule,” March, 2024
Co-author, “Ledore v Dixin: Procedural Fairness and the Limits of Rough Justice,” February, 2024
Co-author, “Viceroy Homes v Jia Development Inc: The Consequences of Frivolous, Vexatious, or Abusive Liens,” January, 2024
Co-author, “Tenoes Construction v Pinto: The Importance of Compliance with Timetables in Construction Lien Actions,” January, 2024
Co-author, “Backyard XP Inc v. Cesario-Valela: Limitations on Issuance of Third Party Claims Under the Construction Act,” December, 2023
Co-author, “Update: Federal Prompt Payment Legislation Comes Into Force,” December, 2023
Co-author, “Gay Company Limited v. 962332 Ontario Inc: The Meaning of “Registration” under the Construction Act and Land Titles Act,” December, 2023
Co-author, “Symtech Innovations Ltd. v. Siemens Canada Limited: The Importance of Giving Timely Notice of Claims in Ontario,” November, 2023
Co-author, “The Implications of Repeat Arbitral Appointments: Aroma Franchise Company v Aroma Espresso,” The Canadian Journal of Commercial Arbitration, Volume 4, Issue 1, October, 2023
Co-author, “Sjostrom Sheet Metal v Kelson: Transparency and Effective Communication in Non-Fixed Price Construction Contracts,” October, 2023
Co-author, “Sundance Development Corporation v. Islington Chauncery Residences Corp.: The Risks of Accepting an Uncertain “Repudiation” of Contract,” October, 2023
Co-author, “Devlan Construction Ltd v SRK Woodworking Inc: Joinder of Trust and Lien Claims is Not Permissible Under Ontario’s Construction Act,” July, 2023
Co-author, “Arad Incorporated v Rejali et al: Court Wary of Returning Security in Lien Claims on the Sole Basis of Statutory Adjudication,” July, 2023
Co-author, “Bhatnagar v. Cresco Labs Inc.: Clarifying the Duty of Honest Performance and the Presumption of Loss,” June, 2023
Co-author, “Haider v Rizvi: Implications of Failing to Prescribe Form and Content of a Release,” June, 2023
Co-author, “Kingsgate Property Ltd. v. Vancouver School District No. 39: Issue Estoppel and Prior Arbitrations under the Same Agreement,” May, 2023
Co-author, “Husky Food Importers & Distributors Ltd v. JH Whittaker & Sons Limited: Ontario’s New Test for Staying Litigation in Favour of Arbitration to Determine the Validity of an Arbitration Agreement,” May, 2023
Co-author, “Limits on the Presumption of Consistent Expression in Contracts: Baffinland Iron Mines v. Tower-EBC,” April, 2023
Co-author, “Judicial Support for Expert Determination as a Dispute Resolution Alternative: KHM Cardiology Centres v Lambardar,” April, 2023
Co-author, “Aroma Franchise Company v Aroma Expresso: Guidance and Questions on Disclosure Obligations and Reasonable Apprehension of Bias in Arbitration,” March, 2023
Co-author, “Getting Paid: The Migration of Prompt Payment and Adjudication Across Canada,” ReNew Canada, January/February, 2023
Co-author, “Rare Example of Partial Summary Judgment in a Construction Matter Upheld,” January, 2023
Co-author, “Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods – When does it make sense to use them and which should you use?,” On-Site Magazine, June, 2022
Co-author, “Delay claims: What documents do you really need?,” On-Site Magazine, December, 2020
Co-author, “The Emergencies Act and the Construction Industry,” May, 2020
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, “Consolidation of Adjudications under Ontario’s New Construction Act,” Journal of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, April, 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

Speaker, “Adjudicator Decisions Finally Reviewed by Ontario Courts: Understanding the Impact of Recent Case Law on the Construction Industry,” 16th National Conference on Navigating Risk in Construction Contracts & Projects (Ontario General Contractors’ Association/Canadian Institute), February, 2024
Panelist, “Cross-Industry Perspectives on P3 Projects,” 2nd annual Society of Construction Law – North America Conference, July, 2023
Panelist, “Case Studies by Region: COVID and Developing Uncertainty in Construction,” Society of Construction Law North American Inaugural Annual Conference, July, 2022
Speaker, “Construction Act Adjudication,” Ontario General Contractors’ Association 13th Construction Symposium, April, 2022
Panelist, “Federal and Ontario Prompt Payment,” Construction and Infrastructure Law Online Symposium, Canadian Bar Association, October, 2021
Keynote Speaker, CIQS Prompt Payment & Adjudication Webinar Event, June, 2020
Presenter and Moderator, Ontario General Contractor Association 11th Annual Construction Symposium, April, 2019
Presenter, “What Happens After Adjudication?,” Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development, April, 2019
Presenter, “Prompt Payment and Adjudication: Are You and Your Clients Ready?,” Ontario Bar Association, May, 2019
Presenter and Moderator, “The New Construction Act: What you Need to Know,” Lexpert® Executive Course, November, 2018
Speaker, “A Guide to the Construction Act of Ontario: Modernizing the Lien Act,” The Building Show (Ontario General Contractors Association Seminar), November, 2018

News + Insights | Mar 4, 2024

Sundance Development Corporation v. Islington Chauncery Residences Corp.: The Risks of Accepting an Uncertain “Repudiation” of Contract

News + Insights | Jul 28, 2023

Devlan Construction Ltd v SRK Woodworking Inc: Joinder of Trust and Lien Claims is Not Permissible Under Ontario's Construction Act

News + Insights | Jul 17, 2023

Arad Incorporated v Rejali et al: Court Wary of Returning Security in Lien Claims on the Sole Basis of Statutory Adjudication

News + Insights | Jun 19, 2023

Bhatnagar v. Cresco Labs Inc.: Clarifying the Duty of Honest Performance and the Presumption of Loss

News + Insights | Jun 13, 2023

Haider v Rizvi: Implications of Failing to Prescribe Form and Content of a Release

News + Insights | May 30, 2023

Kingsgate Property Ltd. v. Vancouver School District No. 39: Issue Estoppel and Prior Arbitrations under the Same Agreement

News + Insights | May 23, 2023

Husky Food Importers & Distributors Ltd v. JH Whittaker & Sons Limited: Ontario’s New Test for Staying Litigation in Favour of Arbitration to Determine the Validity of an Arbitration Agreement

News + Insights | Apr 24, 2023

Limits on the Presumption of Consistent Expression in Contracts: Baffinland Iron Mines v. Tower-EBC

News + Insights | Apr 11, 2023

Judicial Support for Expert Determination as a Dispute Resolution Alternative: KHM Cardiology Centres v Lambardar

News + Insights | Mar 24, 2023

Aroma Franchise Company v Aroma Espresso: Guidance and Questions on Disclosure Obligations and Reasonable Apprehension of Bias in Arbitration

News + Insights | Jan 11, 2023

James Little^*

Partner

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