• "Stewart is incredibly easy to work with and provides a very rational and measured approach to complex and thorny areas of law." (Chambers UK, 2025)
• "He is always approachable, to the point and understands what the end client is looking for." (Chambers UK, 2025)
• "Stewart gives a straight answer and does not shy away from difficult points." (Chambers UK, 2025)
• "Stewart is a really solid pair of hands." (Legal 500, 2025)
• "Stewart is extremely methodical in his analysis and presents his arguments very clearly." (Legal 500, 2025)
• "Stewart has the ability to untangle knotty issues and present an apparently straightforward position where sometimes, the position is anything but straightforward." (Legal 500, 2024)
• "Stewart combines a very personable delivery to clients with considerable ability as an advocate." (Chambers UK, 2024)
• "Stewart has a relaxed manner and is able to put people at ease." (Chambers UK, 2023)
• "Stewart is incredibly considered and knowledgeable. He has a nice, measured style of advocacy and provides excellent client service."(Chambers UK, 2023)
• "Stewart is a very experienced barrister who quickly gets to the nub of difficult issues."(Chambers UK, 2023)
• ‘Quick, prompt, flexible and effective.’ (Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2023)
• "Unflappable and as knowledgeable as he is practical, he inspires confidence, and for good reason - he is the calmest of hands on the tiller." (Legal 500, 2023)
• “Stewart knew the case inside and out and has a measured approach to cross-examination. He is an excellent advocate.” (Chambers UK, 2022)
• "He is very pragmatic and cuts through issues to address what really matters with an easy-going, logical style of cross-examination." (Legal 500, 2022)
• "Knowledgeable, organised, rigorous, thorough, practical and a pleasure to work with." (Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2021)
• “Stewart is incredibly thorough, calm and measured in style. He is never flustered and extremely well prepared, you always feel like the case is in safe hands when he is involved.” (Chambers UK, 2021)
• “He is tenacious, thorough and has a very easy manner.” (Chambers UK, 2021)
• "He is knowledgeable, organised, rigorous, thorough, practical and a pleasure to work with." (Legal 500, 2021)
• "Knowledgeable, organised, rigorous, thorough, practical and a pleasure to work with." (Legal 500, 2021)
• "The best junior out there for wet shipping; great experience, tenacious and incredibly hardworking." (Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2020)
• "He does an outstanding job running challenging cases, his tactical advice is spot on and his advocacy is extremely good." (Chambers UK, 2020)
• "He's a go-to senior junior for the whole range of shipping law." (Chambers UK, 2020)
• "He is first class; he's accessible, knowledgeable and provides exceptional support." (Chambers UK, 2020)
• "He has experience, is tenacious and is incredibly hardworking." (Legal 500, 2020)
• "Straightforward, calm and user-friendly, he is never intimidated and puts his point forcefully." (Legal 500, 2020)
• "Highly competent and punching above his call." (Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2019)
• "He is always very responsive." (Legal 500, 2019)
• "A leading junior for many years now, he has a can-do attitude and a deep understanding of the legal and commercial issues." (Legal 500, 2019)
• "Involved in cases regarding some of the world’s most challenging jurisdictions." (Legal 500, 2019)
• "He has an excellent knowledge of shipping and commercial contracts." (Chambers UK, 2019)
• "...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..." (Legal 500, 2016)
• "...A well-kept secret and an exceptional commercial advocate, who is dependable and a pleasure to work with..." (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…” (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…” (Legal 500, 2014)
• "...commercially and legally astute..." (Legal 500, 2013)
• "... far more than a match for much more senior barristers than himself ..." (Chambers UK, 2013)

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

• Jiangsu Shagang Group v Loki Owning Group (“MV Pounda”) [2018] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 35 - Issue in relation to whether an alleged guarantee was in fact agreed and whether the Tribunal has jurisdiction; and, if so, whether the guarantee was compliant with the Statute of Frauds.
• CSSA Chartering and Shipping Services SA v Mitsui OSK Limted Ltd  "The Pacific Voyager" [2018] EWCA Civ 2413 - the leading modern case on the nature of ship owners’ obligation to commence their approach voyage under a voyage charterparty.
• 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.

Reported cases include:

•  The Krysia  [2008] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 570; [2008] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 707 - collision
•  The Forest Pioneer [2007] Lloyd's Rep. Plus 26 – collision and;
•  The Enif [1999] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 643 (led by Tim Brenton) – collision. 

Stewart 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

Stewart’s experience in the field of energy and natural resources includes disputes arising out of the sale, purchase and transport of oil and gas cargoes, and off and on shore construction.

• 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