Commercial and Corporate Litigation
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 3
About
Provided by Stewarts
We act in some of the most high-profile and groundbreaking cases in the UK.
Our clients include FTSE 100 companies, Fortune 500 and other international corporations, as well as institutional investors, foreign governments, public bodies and individuals.
We are conflict free, enabling us to act for our clients against global banks and multinationals in high-value and complex disputes. Many of our cases are groundbreaking and involve the application of new and developing areas of the law.
Our lawyers have unrivalled experience in putting together innovative costs arrangements. The use of third party funding, after-the-event insurance and risk-sharing fee agreements enables our clients to manage risk and litigate from a position of financial strength.
Our team of more than 50 lawyers has the depth and expertise to conduct heavyweight litigation. All our partners have experience in coordinating proceedings in multiple jurisdictions. We have strategic alliances with handpicked law firms around the world to enable our clients to take a cross-border approach to litigation.
Chambers Review
Stewarts has a sizeable presence in contentious corporate matters and the ability to handle disputes with big-ticket values. The London team has a solid reputation for taking the lead on behalf of claimants in large-scale shareholder actions while also assisting clients with breach of contract claims and other commercial disputes. The firm also shows notable expertise in handling matters with complex offshore aspects.
Work Highlights
- Stewarts issued claims in the Commercial Court on behalf of 47 shareholders against Petrofac who suffered losses as a result of Petrofac's misleading statements to the market.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Stewarts' team is able to assess issues impacting clients and distil them into a form that clients can easily understand and digest."
"The team is particularly impressive in managing complex relationships and is commercially astute when determining how best to navigate such complexities."
"Stewarts always provides the right level of background in a very responsive way."
"The firm is really impressive and effective due to the strength of its team."
"Stewarts' team is able to assess issues impacting clients and distil them into a form that clients can easily understand and digest."
"The team is particularly impressive in managing complex relationships and is commercially astute when determining how best to navigate such complexities."
"Stewarts always provides the right level of background in a very responsive way."
"The firm is really impressive and effective due to the strength of its team."
Notable Practitioners
Sean Upson is adept at managing large group litigation and often handles significant shareholder disputes. He also advises on contractual litigation and has notable experience in matters with significant financial stakes.
"Sean Upson is incredibly level-headed, sensible and gives very practical advice. He is appropriate in using his judgement and is a wise counsellor."
Ian Gatt KC is an experienced litigator representing clients in court. He is particularly adept on complex cross-border disputes, especially with regards to fraudulent misrepresentations and breaches of contract.
"Ian Gatt is a very good lawyer and is lovely to deal with."
"Ian is a very experienced and professional solicitor."
"Ian brings a genuine calm and cool head to his client work, wrapped in charm and a genuinely steely resolve."
Lucy Ward represents a range of clients in commercial disputes, including corporates, sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors. She has particular expertise in advising on multiparty proceedings.
"Lucy Ward doesn't miss a trick. She gives really clear and thoughtful advice."
"She's a really effective and good practitioner."
"She has wonderful strategic thinking, is always all over the details and is sensitive to client management."
Ranked Lawyers at
Stewarts
London (Firms)
Members
Provided by Stewarts
Alex Jay
Clive Zietman
Darren Kidd
Elaina Bailes
Fiona Gillett
Francesca Berry
Harry McGowan
Ian Gatt QC
Karen Hutchinson
Laura Jenkins
Lorraine Lanceley
Head of Department
Marc Jones
Head of Department
Pia Mithani
Sophie Lalor-Harbord
Tim Symes
Tom Matusiak
Zachary Sananes