James Darch

James is a Managing Associate in the Antitrust & Foreign Investment group based in London. James has an international background, having practised in Australia, Hong Kong and the UK / EU. James regularly advises large corporations on competition law, antitrust and regulatory issues associated with mergers and acquisitions, regulatory inquires and investigations, joint ventures, conduct by dominant companies and other market conduct issues. James has particular expertise advising clients in the mining, financial services, transport, energy and resources and infrastructure sectors.

Before joining Linklaters, James spent 6 years working at a top tier firm in Sydney, London and Hong Kong.

Work highlights

Highlights of matters on which James has led include advising:

• Glencore plc on a number of transactions, including to secure merger clearances in a number of jurisdictions in relation to the:
• acquisition of Yancoal and Mitsubishi Corporation’s interests in the Hunter Valley Operations joint venture;
• acquisition of Rio Tinto’s interests in the Hail Creek and Blair Athol joint ventures; and
• sale of its Australian rail business to Genesee & Wyoming Inc.
• Zurich Insurance Group on its acquisition of Cover-More Group Limited, including to secure merger clearances in a number of jurisdictions.
• BP plc on the establishment of a partnership with Universities Superannuation Scheme relating to BP’s UK retail fuel portfolio.
• A global bank in a major and long-running multi-jurisdictional cartel investigation involving the financial services industry.
• Woolworths Limited on the sale of its hardware business (Masters and Home Timber & Hardware) to Home Consortium and Metcash Limited, which required remedies to resolve antitrust concerns.
• Westpac Banking Corporation in relation to the ACCC’s inquiry into foreign currency conversion services in Australia.

James joined the Linklaters Competition team in 2019. Before Linklaters, James worked for 6 years at King & Wood Mallesons in Australia, London and Hong Kong. 

James holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours I) and Bachelor of Business (with Distinction) from the University of Technology Sydney.

James is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia.