Stephen Burns > Charles Russell Speechlys LLP > Guildford, England > Lawyer Profile

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
ONE LONDON SQUARE, CROSS LANES
GUILDFORD
SURREY
GU1 1UN
England

Work Department

Dispute Resolution

Position

Partner

Career

Stephen is a highly experienced general commercial litigator who largely advises on High Court litigation, arbitrations and mediations. He has been involved with many large-scale court cases and arbitrations, in particular contractual, shareholder and fraud disputes as well as corporate related litigation. He has coordinated litigation on a large scale such as a £35m dispute about the operability of a put option and a significant fraud case involving knowing receipt. He also successfully assisted a client to enforce its right to due process, transparency and access to adequate remedies under procurement rules.

Stephen often advises clients in the telecoms, technology and healthcare sectors in respect of contractual disputes. He also advises shareholders and directors in respect of shareholder disputes, drawing on his experience to provide contentious advice in respect of various aspects of corporate law including section 459 (now 994 of the Companies Act 2006) of the Companies Act 1985.

Stephen is admitted to practise in England and Wales.

Experience

  • Rapiscan Systems Limited v Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customers EWHC 2067 (QB)

Lawyer Rankings

South East > Insurance > Professional negligence

With expertise in pension disputes, tax and trust matters, the Guildford-based practice Charles Russell Speechlys LLP assists both individuals and company claimants. Stephen Burns is particularly active in matters pertaining to the financial services, healthcare, as well as technology and telecoms sectors. Duncan Elson is knowledgeable of negligence claims against solicitors, while David Savage has over two decades of experience in claims against construction professionals.

South East > Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Kent, Surrey and Sussex

(Leading individuals)

Stephen BurnsCharles Russell Speechlys LLP

Focusing on dispute resolution, litigation prevention and risk management, the Guildford team at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP handles matters with multi-jurisdictional elements for corporate clients in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, with clients praising it as ‘a law firm of great calibre with excellent people’ who are ‘great, very friendly and a pleasure to work with’. The team specialises in corporate litigation, commercial matters, and product liability and supply chain disputes and is increasingly handling professional negligence claims. The team is led by Stephen Burns, who is ‘clever, with terrifically good judgment’ and is a specialist in Companies Act litigation, shareholder disputes and professional negligence issues; and ‘shrewd, experienced negotiator’ Jamie Cartwright, who has experience in technology, automotive, retail and product liability disputes. Rachel Warren is ‘excellent on financial services regulation and disciplinary matters’. The ‘highly commercial’ Gareth Mills is an expert in international arbitration and has substantial experience advising financial services and TMT clients. Head of the Guildford office Duncan Elson is also noted.