• "...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, 2011

Dry 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

• Minerva Navigation Inc. v. Oceana Shipping AG (The "ATHENA") [2013] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 145, relating to the proper interpretation of the off-hire clause in the NYPE 1946 time charterparty form;
• Sideridraulic Systems SPA v. BBC Chartering & Logistic GMBH [2012] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 230, involving an application for an anti-suit injunction and concerning the correct interpretation of a bill of lading and the application of the Hague-Visby Rules;
• Pace Shipping Co Ltd v. Churchgate Nigeria Ltd (The "PACE") (No.2) [2011] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 537, proper interpretation of section 2(4) of the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1992.
• Mediterranean Salvage & Towage v. Seamar Trading & Commerce (The "REBORN") [2009] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 639, Court of Appeal, in relation to the test by which terms are to be implied into commercial contracts.

Wet Shipping
 

Stewart also undertakes Admiralty work, and has appeared in Court and arbitration in cases involving collisions and high value salvages.

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:

• Arbitration claim in relation to shipbuilding dispute, seeking repayment of instalments of purchase price on the basis of repudiatory breach by builder of shipbuilding contract;
• Itochu Corporation v. Johann MK Blumenthal GMBH [2012] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 437, relating to the constitution of arbitration tribunal in relation to dispute under a shipbuilding contract;
• ICC arbitration relating to a petroleum cargo, raising questions of the applicable law, payment under documentary credits and repudiatory breach;
• SHV Gas Supply & Trading SAS v. Naftomar Shipping & Trading Co Ltd (The “AZUR GAS”) [2006] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 163, cancellation of contract for sale of butane

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:

• B v. S [2011] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 18, whether Scott v. Avery clause excluded the jurisdiction of the Court under section 44 of the Arbitration Act 1999;
• Acting for shipowner in a chain of arbitrations, facing claims in deceit from the bill of lading holder, and seeking an indemnity as against the charterer.
• Acting for shipowner in respect of alleged failure to provide vessels under contract of affreightment. The main issue was whether the shipowner could rely upon a force majeure clause in circumstances where the relevant obligation had become economically unviable.

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:

• Global Process Systems v. Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Merhad (The “CENDOR MOPU”) [2010] Lloyd’s Rep. 243, Court of Appeal, involving a claim for damage to a jack-up rig and raising questions of law in relation to fortuity and inherent vice;
• World Vision International v. QBE Corporate Limited, involving a claim under an open cover