Called: 1996
Practice Overview
Stewart is a commercial barrister, specialising in commercial law, mainly focussing on commercial litigation and international arbitration. He has extensive trial, interlocutory and arbitration experience, and also undertakes advisory work and drafting. His takes a commercially driven approach tailored to the practical needs of his clients, and aims to deliver excellence in the services he provides. He is particularly adept at dealing with complex technical disputes.
He has been consistently ranked as a 'Leading Junior' in both the leading directories for several years. Comments have included:
"praised for his approachability and user-friendliness, and is further admired for his advocacy skills"; "a delight to work with"; "easily understandable advice and commercially minded, down-to-earth style" (Chambers UK).
"very able, easy to work with and delivers excellent advice"; "previously rare salvage experience"; "highly regarded" (The Legal 500).
His practice includes the following areas:
"...quick, no-nonsense advice"..."Very competent, hard-working and a very pleasant opponent."
(Chambers UK, 2018)"...He is an excellent advocate and particularly skilled in cross-examination; he knows shipping law inside out..."
(Legal 500, 2017)"...Very bright, able and articulate, yet simultaneously approachable and communicative..."
(Legal 500, 2017)"...Practical and level headed to work with." "He's going to be a notable player in the future..."
Chambers UK, 2017"...Very sensible and level-headed..."
The Legal 500, 2016"...A well-kept secret and an exceptional commercial advocate, who is dependable and a pleasure to work with..."
The Legal 500, 2016"…he has a phenomenal practice and is very good with clients." "He is very thorough and clear…"
Chambers UK, 2016“…a very practical and sensible advisor…”
(The Legal 500, 2015)"...he makes his point calmly and precisely” “I have never seen him get worked up under pressure...”
(Chambers UK, 2015)“…very astute and client-focused…”
The Legal 500, 2014"...commercially and legally astute..."
(The Legal 500, 2013)"... far more than a match for much more senior barristers than himself ..."
(Chambers UK, 2013)"... easy to work with ..."
(Legal 500, 2012)"...excellent..."
The Legal 500, 2011Dry Shipping, Commodities & Transport
Stewart deals with shipping and commodity disputes in the Commercial Court and also has extensive experience of LMAA and ICC arbitration in this area, as well as trade arbitration under the rules of GAFTA, FOSFA and the ICA (and formerly as the LCA) at both first tier and Board of Appeal level.
His practice encompasses carriage of goods by sea and land, international trade, including oil and gas, and related documentary finance, bills of lading, the Hague and Hague-Visby Rules and related interim/s.44 relief. His commodities experience includes fertilizers, soybeans (including a series of arbitrations concerning the "pink" soybean issue), grain, coal, sunflower seed oil (including a series of arbitrations concerning contamination of Ukrainian sfs oil), linseed oil and fruit cargoes, including bananas and grapes.
Recent cases include
Wet Shipping
Stewart also undertakes Admiralty work, and has appeared in Court and arbitration in cases involving collisions and high value salvages.
Reported cases include:
Stewart’s practice includes disputes arising out of the sale, purchase and transport of oil and gas cargoes, and he has been heavily involved in international arbitrations concerning major shipbuilding disputes. Recent cases include:
A wide range of commercial disputes, arising out of all aspects of commercial enterprise, including civil fraud (tracing, dishonest assistance & secret profits) frustration and force majeure, import/export prohibitions, and international sale of goods. Recent cases include claims in arbitration concerning brokers' alleged secret profits; and alleged frustration of long term CoA's.
Stewart acts in arbitrations under the rules of the LMAA, GAFTA, FOSFA and the ICA.
Recent cases include:
Stewart has extensive insurance experience, including marine insurance. He co-authored the insurance section of Butterworths Commercial Court and Arbitration Pleadings, 2005 Edition. Recent cases include:
"...A well-kept secret and an exceptional commercial advocate, who is dependable and a pleasure to work with..."
The Legal 500, 2016Academic
BA (Oxon), BCL
Other Qualifications
Middle Temple Benefactors Scholar
Middle Temple Lechmere Essay Prize
Publications
Butterworths Commercial Court and Arbitration Pleadings (2005), co-author of marine insurance section
Memberships
COMBAR