Stephen has been described in the legal directories as “a gem among English barristers”, “exceptional”, having “a powerful intellect”, and having a “very quick and sharp strategical mind, but also commercially adept”.
He is experienced in commercial litigation and arbitration, with a particular focus in shipping and commodities, and insurance/reinsurance.
As well as appearing as an advocate before the English courts, Stephen has been instructed to appear before arbitral tribunals sitting in England, Hong Kong and Singapore. He is a fluent Chinese speaker, and is particularly sought-after for his language skills and by clients from Asia.
Stephen also accepts appointments as arbitrator.
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Shipping & commodities
- Sahara v Sonara [2024] EWHC 3163 (Comm). Acted in the Commercial Court and Court of Appeal (led by Timothy Young KC) in a claim worth over US$100m concerning late payments for oil deliveries from Nigeria to the national refinery of Cameroon.
- London arbitration. Acted as sole counsel in a 5-day arbitration concerning a dangerous cargo damaging a chemical tanker.
- LMAA arbitration. Acted as sole counsel in a 3-day arbitration against a KC concerning an unsafe port claim arising from a vessel grounding in the Parana River.
Insurance & reinsurance
- The Russian Aviation Litigation [2024] 4 WLR 47. Acted for Aircastle and FTAI, two major aircraft leasing companies, in claims over US$500m regarding aircraft detained in Russia and Ukraine following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
- Greensill Bank v Zurich. Acting for Zurich, defending claims of around US$400m brought on behalf of Greensill Bank under a credit risk insurance policy following its high-profile collapse in March 2021, and bringing claims for deceit and conspiracy against (amongst others) Lex Greensill and Sanjeev Gupta. 11-week trial listed for 2027.
- LCIA arbitration. Acting in a US$30m reinsurance dispute concerning the construction of one of the world’s largest renewable energy projects.
Civil fraud
- Greensill Bank v Zurich. Acting for Zurich, defending claims of around US$400m brought on behalf of Greensill Bank under a credit risk insurance policy following its high-profile collapse in March 2021, and bringing claims for deceit and conspiracy against (amongst others) Lex Greensill and Sanjeev Gupta. 11-week trial listed for 2027.
- Lakatamia Shipping Co Limited v Nobu Su [2021] EWHC 1907 (Comm). 4-week trial acting for claimant against (amongst others) Madam Su in a €27m claim for conspiracy and the Marex tort, arising out of Nobu Su taking steps to dissipate assets and evade enforcement of a judgment debt.
- LMAA arbitration. Acting as sole counsel in a 5-day arbitration concerning the sale and purchase of a ferry allegedly procured by fraudulent misrepresentations.
International arbitration
- HKIAC arbitration. Acted for the respondent in a US$700m claim brought against one of the largest cryptocurrency exchange companies in the world concerning a joint venture.
- SIAC arbitration. Acting for the claimant in a US$72m dispute concerning the exercise of a put option under a share purchase agreement.
- LCIA arbitration. Acted for claimant against an African state concerning the termination of a 10-year Gas Sales Agreement.
- ICC arbitration. Acted for claimant in a dispute regarding a gas development project in the Black Sea.