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Stuart has an extremely successful commercial chancery practice which focuses on commercial litigation, company law, insolvency, fraud, breach of trust and asset tracing.  He is a specialist advocate who is particularly effective in the context of highly contentious litigation.  It is here that his excellent cross-examination skills prove most valuable and effective.

Stuart is recommended by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 for his work in the field of company law.  He practises in all areas of contentious company law, but has particular expertise in relation to minority shareholder actions (including unfair prejudice petitions and derivative claims) and claims against directors.  He was one of the authors of Blackstone's Guide to the Companies Act 2006 (he wrote the chapter on derivative claims) and has lectured extensively on company law.  He gave expert evidence on English company law in derivative proceedings brought against the directors of BP in the United States.

Stuart is also recommended for his work in the field of insolvency, where his expertise extends to all areas of corporate and personal insolvency.  In addition to acting for private clients in this area, he has advised the DTI and appeared in the High Court and before Insolvency Practitioners Tribunals on behalf of the Insolvency Service.  Stuart has particular expertise in the most contentious areas of insolvency litigation, including fraudulent trading, misfeasance and setting aside prior transactions.

Stuart’s impressive court room skills are balanced by a clear understanding of the business context of litigation and the commercial imperatives of his clients.  In addition to appearing in the English courts, Stuart has been called to the bar of the British Virgin Islands and regularly appears in international arbitrations.

Prior to the Bar Stuart served for 10 years as a British Army officer; called 1995, Inner Temple; co-author of Blackstone’s ‘Guide to the Companies Act 2006’.

French (fluent).

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