Stephenson Harwood

Roland is a full time commercial disputes expert with deep experience particularly in the professional services and fine art sectors where he has practised throughout his career. Roland leads our teams in these sectors and is highly ranked in them by the directories. His work covers a broad range of commercial disputes taking place in the High Court and in arbitration. Most of Roland's work has an international dimension and he is also experienced in managing multi-jurisdictional disputes. Much of his work involves management of risk and the avoidance of claims, nipping problems in the bud and working with clients to resolve issues early and cost-effectively and keep them out of court. Roland has a long and extensive experience of acting for and against professional firms, particularly those in accountancy and law sectors and has been closely involved in several leading cases. He has been described as a "very good, very tough litigator," by Chambers UK 2022 in this area. In the fine art sector, Roland advises a broad range of clients from auction houses and dealers to museums and private collectors. His work in this area goes well beyond disputes, for example about title and attribution. He regularly advises on matters ranging from the sale and purchase of fine art to the standard terms of business of major market players to export, looted art and related issues. Roland is a member of the Art, Cultural and Institutions Committee of the IBA and recognised by Chambers & Partners for his experience handling high-value disputes within Art and Cultural Property Law. They describe him as "enormously impressive, a good tactician and knows the area back to front." In Legal 500, Roland is recognised for having "unparalleled experience in the field, with noted leadership and unassailable credibility." Roland is ranked in the Hall of Fame by Chambers in both the Professional Negligence and Art and Cultural Property categories.

Adam is an accountancy professional liability / regulatory specialist (in particular defending FRC cases and all forms of accounting litigation). Previously General Counsel at BDO and a criminal prosecutor, Adam brings a wealth of sector experience and a sharp focus to resolving complex accounting issues. At Stephenson Harwood, Adam handles a range of commercial litigation and professional liability matters with a particular focus on insurance related issues, the accountancy regulators (ICAEW/FRC), and the defence of claims involving tax and audit. Adam offers a client-focussed insight into the full range of accounting services and the pressures they face from regulators and claimants. This allows him to quickly grasp the key issues in accounting disputes and resolve them. His success at BDO helped it remain the only larger accounting firm at the time to avoid sanction by the FRC. Adam is referred to as joining the firm in 2020 within the Legal 500 UK Professional Negligence area, where the team is well regarded for providing "an excellent, all-round legal service with good client management, very able lawyers, with sound judgement." His references from BDO include: "Combines first-class legal knowledge and judgement with a calm and reassuring manner. A pleasure to work with" ( Mark Shaw, Head of Business Restructuring, BDO). His and his team's notable successes in litigation include BDO's win in the recent £250 million One Blackfriars case [2021] EWHC 684, Supreme Court appeal win in regulatory proceedings (Barnes v Eastenders [2014] UKSC 26), the leading recent decisions on administrator's duties: Bernsten & Anor v Tait [2015] EWCA Civ 1001 and Davey v Money [2019] EWHC 997 (which included the recent COA judgment ending the "Arkin Cap" when enforcing costs against the litigation funder), and Green v BDO [2005] All ER on the use of the Insolvency Act against accountants.