With ‘great strength in depth’, boutique litigation and conflict-free firm Stewarts Law LLP is regularly called upon to act against major banks and financial institutions. Lucy Ward leads the team, along with Mo Bhaskaran, while Keith Thomas is head of the firm’s securities litigation practice. Elaina Bailes excels in fraud and asset recovery and financial services and securities litigation, while Lorraine Lanceley has experience acting for both claimants and defendants. Clive Zietman retired in May 2024. Ian Gatt KC left to join Brick Court Chambers.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘In a very competitive environment, like the English legal market, Stewarts Commercial Litigation team stands out for their strategic approach to the case and consideration of the client's needs. The level of service has been outstanding and the flexibility in the interaction with the client's team member from very distinctive social and legal cultures has made the professional work with Stewarts a very rewarding experience.’

  • ‘The partner in charge of our case is Zachary Sananes. In a cross-border case like the one they are handling; he has been permanently conscious of the need to coordinate the case in London with the rest of the litigation strategy in several other forums abroad. That has worked for the benefit of the client, enhancing the quality of his work before the English Court with strategic consciousness of the overall case. Outstanding associate is Punam Shah.’

  • ‘Top litigation firm full of excellent solicitors from trainee to partner level. Impressive data management process and approach to funding means they appear to have a unique service offering to litigants.’

  • 'Lorraine Lanceley is a responsive and clever solicitor. Zachary Sananes appears to have a broad practice and is good to work with. Harry Spendlove, associate runs cases effectively, clearly all over the detail and can react quickly to issues.’

  • ‘Great strength in depth, bags of experience in relation to a variety of high-profile, high-value disputes.’

  • ‘I have worked with Zach Sananes over the past eight months or so in connection with a very high value cross-border dispute. He is very able, thorough, calm and responsive, and I would absolutely recommend him as a go-to person for heavyweight commercial litigation.’

  • ‘Extremely responsive, very high-quality analysis, excellent international know-how.’

  • ‘Zach Sananes - extremely responsive and able.’

Key clients

  • Group action v Glencore Plc
  • Group action v Petrofac Limited
  • Ronan Dunne (Former CEO of O2)
  • Chedington
  • Kyndryl
  • Lipton Rogers Development
  • Dr Markus Boettcher
  • A group of shareholders v Buddi/Big Technologies
  • Shapoorji Pallonji Mideast LLC

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Mo Bhaskaran, Lucy Ward

Other key lawyers

Keith Thomas, Elaina Bailes, Lorraine Lanceley, Fiona Gillett, Zachary Sananes, Stefan Edwards, Charlie Mercer, Matt Caples, Punam Shah, Harry Spendlove