The Legal 500

Within Corporate tax

Within Financial services, tier 5

Stephenson Harwood’s Tony Woodcock acts on regulatory and cartel investigations, and the practice was successful in defending enforcement proceedings brought against a corporate finance company. Non-contentious specialist Charlotte Hill provided regulatory advice to Standard Life’s wrap platform business.

Within Flotations - small and mid-cap, Stephenson Harwood is a second tier firm,

Led by Peter Bradley, Stephenson Harwood is well known for bringing Asian companies to AIM, and recently acted on the issuer side of the listings of Indus Gas, Paq International Holdings and Red Hot Media. Matthew Gorman has relocated to the firm’s Singapore office.

Within M&A - lower mid-marketdeals, £50m-£250m, Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

The Gulf region is an increasing source of work for Sharon White’s M&A team at Stephenson Harwood. Bahrain-based Seera Investment Bank was a new client in 2008, instructing the firm on the acquisition of BWA Water Additives. Tony Edwards and Peter Bradley are also recommended.

Within Outsourcing and procurement, Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

‘Dedicated and experienced’, Stephenson Harwood’s outsourcing practice is led by ‘trustworthy adviser and excellent business strategist’ John Buyers. The team added significant Middle Eastern clients Al Tayer and Fawaz Al Hokair in 2008, and acted for MMA Insurance on outsourcing its claims-handling services to WNS.

Within Partnership

Within VAT and indirect tax, Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

Stephenson Harwood is a market leader in tonnage tax, and also has a significant real estate and financial services practice. It advised St Martins Property Investments on the £400m acquisition of the Willis Building. Practice head Hugo Jenney is the name to note.

Within Fraud - commercial and regulatory investigations, Stephenson Harwood is a second tier firm,

Stephenson Harwood has a good reputation for commercial fraud litigation, with John Fordham having a ‘wealth of experience’ in the field. The firm is defending the director of Russian shipping company Sovcomflot in a US$700m fraud and bribery case that is due to go to trial in October 2009.

Within Fraud - crime , Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

Stephenson Harwood’s Tony Woodcock is ‘a name in the area’ of criminal fraud. It is acting for Malcolm Calvert, who is due to go to trial in September 2009 for insider dealing, in a prosecution brought by the FSA.

Within Banking litigation, Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

Stephenson Harwood has steadily increased its exposure to financial disputes over the last decade, in part due to the efforts of chief executive and senior litigator Sunil Gadhia and the tremendous reputation of John Fordham. Fordham is a frequent recipient of referrals from top-tier City firms, but the department has accrued an impressive client base in its own right, from retail banks to major investment banks. Sue Millar and Sarah Charles are also recommended, while Tony Woodcock provides further firepower in relation to FSA investigations.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 4

Stephenson Harwood’s group head John Fordham has a fantastic reputation, and his ‘uniformly excellent’ team is regularly involved in the larger cases the market has to offer. Recent examples include successfully defending Petroleos de Venezuela against a US$12bn freezing order brought before the English courts, which was used as the basis for dismissing similar orders in other jurisdictions. The firm is also defending Tagiz Izmailov and Dmitry Skarga against multimillion-dollar fraud allegations in the massive Fiona Trust case. The team is praised for its ‘extremely high level of service and commitment, as well as considerable litigation experience and knowledge,’ and boasts a selection of top names including chief executive Sunil Gadhia, regulatory expert Tony Woodcock, and Richard Gwynne.

Within International arbitration, tier 5

Stephenson Harwood’s ‘excellent’ practice is headed by Richard Gwynne, who is praised for his ‘serious legal brain’. The team recognised its ‘rising star’ Kamal Shah by promoting him to partner in 2009. The ‘extraordinary’ Shah is praised for his experience in African and Asian disputes and his ‘fantastic client skills’. The practice was given another boost by the recruitment of arbitration expert Louis Flannery from Howes Percival LLP.

Within Mediators

Within Asset finance and leasing, tier 4

At Stephenson Harwood, aircraft finance partner Paul Richardson acts as lead UK counsel to Macquarie Aircraft Leasing Limited, while Guy Liddle handles engine leasing matters for Engine Lease Finance Corporation. Ship finance has long been the firm’s strong point, and practice head Mark Russell recently acted for Nordea Bank on a US$100m facility to Russian shipping company Primorsk. Clients report satisfaction with the team’s performance in all respects, highlighting the ‘prompt, accurate and relevant advice’, although it received a blow with the loss of aviation partner Mark Bissett to Clyde & Co LLP.

Within Bank lending - investment grade debt and syndicated loans , tier 5

Stephenson Harwood’s traditional shipping finance practice has expanded to include a significant amount of more general bank lending work for the likes of RBS and Lloyds TSB.

Within Commodities and futures - commodities, Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

Stephenson Harwood’s commodities expertise is allied to a renowned shipping practice, with key areas including oil, gas and metals. The firm is representing Petroleos de Venezuela SA in a US$12bn arbitration concerning nationalisation of oil interests, while other clients include Fortis Bank, Trafigura Beheer BV and Vitol. Clients appreciate Haris Zografakis and Ingolf Kaiser.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 7

The ‘talented and experienced’ David Lacey and Alan Bercow co-head the team at Stephenson Harwood.

Within Investment funds, tier 5

William Saunders heads an experienced team at Stephenson Harwood, which is particularly strong in closed-end offshore funds. Andrew Sutch and Elizabeth Field are recommended. Major clients include RBS Hoare Govett, Jupiter Asset Management and Heather Capital.

Within Islamic finance, tier 4

Stephenson Harwood’s main focus is shari’ah-compliant asset finance and real estate. The practice operates from London under the leadership of Robert Newman, with strong capability in Paris. Clients include Credit Suisse and Chelsfield Partners.

Within Employee share schemes, tier 5

Jeremy Glover is recommended at new entrant Stephenson Harwood.

Within Employment, tier 6

Stephenson Harwood continues to display ‘outstanding industry knowledge’. It advised LoveFilm International on its acquisition of Amazon Europe’s DVD rental business in the UK and Germany, while other clients include the London Development Agency. ‘Strong performer’ Paul Reeves and the ‘extremely commercial’ Kate Brearley are recommended for their ‘very dependable advice’.

Within Health and safety, tier 5

Notable instructions for Stephenson Harwood included advising a large transport client on a HSE investigation following a fatal accident. Tony Woodcock is recommended.

Within Pensions (incl pensions dispute resolution), tier 4

Stephenson Harwood’s clients appreciate a ‘really terrific team’ led by Mark Catchpole, who brings ‘confidence and clarity’ to matters ‘at any notice’. Also of note are the ‘utterly reliable’ and ‘practical’ Philip Goodchild, and for disputes, the ‘commercial’, ‘concise’, ‘affable’ and ‘professional’ Sue Millar.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, tier 6

Stephenson Harwood’s Alex Davis is widely known in the market for his marine insurance work, and Tony Concagh is recommended for his energy insurance work. Key clients include AIG, Amlin and Markel. This practice has particular expertise in geoseismic streamer cases.

Within Professional negligence, tier 5

Noted for its ‘immediate, partner-level responses’, Stephenson Harwood provides ‘clear, commercial advice’. The ‘exceptional’ and ‘enthusiastic’ Roland Foord leads the team, whose clients include KPMG LLP, Financial Services Compensation Scheme and Christie’s International. Stephen Roberts is also recommended.

Within Oil and gas, tier 6

Stephenson Harwood’s team is ‘very responsive to the mindset of corporate in-house counsel’. It successfully represented Petroleos De Venezuela, the national oil company of Venezuela, in a landmark US$12bn arbitration brought by Mobil CN relating to the nationalisation of certain oil interests in the country. Stuart Beadnall heads the oil and gas practice.

Within Private finance initiative(PFI) , tier 5

The burgeoning team at Stephenson Harwood welcomed new head Clare McConnell from Pinsent Masons LLP in 2009. The firm recently won the mandate to advise the Skanska Laing Consortium on its bid for a new wave of street-lighting PFIs.

Within Education - institutions, Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

Stephenson Harwood’s team ‘provides considered, timely and well-judged advice’. The department is currently advising Lewisham College on a campus redevelopment, and also representing the University of Greenwich on the construction of its new halls of residence. Practice head Colin Mackenzie-Grieve has ‘excellent interpersonal skills, and offers clear and understandable advice’.

Within Healthcare, tier 5

Clare McConnell recently joined Stephenson Harwood from Pinsent Masons LLP, bolstering the team’s strength in relation to PFI/PPP healthcare matters. The practice is instructed by more Middle Eastern clients looking to invest in the UK healthcare sector. John Hargreaves heads the team, which includes key playes such as Tepo Din.

Within Commercial property, tier 4

Stephenson Harwood’s property team is of a ‘consistently high standard - the speed of response is always excellent and the knowledge of the sector is good’. Practice leader Richard Light has an excellent track record, while Marcel Haniff is ‘most efficient’, and Stephen Laud is ‘efficient, reliable, and proactively offers pragmatic advice’. Over recent months, the practice has benefited from its extensive public sector client base, which features the London Development Agency and Transport for London. Key mandates included advising St Martins Property Group on its £400m acquisition of the Willis Building from British Land.

Within Construction, tier 4

The ‘first-class’ Stephenson Harwood team has attracted increased contentious instructions thanks to Paul Thwaite (‘knowledgeable, up to date and honest’), for example advising Kajima Construction Europe (UK) on a multimillion-pound claim concerning a Leeds housing development. Steven Wait heads a team strong in infrastructure, energy and utilities. The team advised EDF Energy on the installation of the electricity network and substations in the Olympic 2012 Park.

Within Environment, tier 5

Stephenson Harwood recruited Andrew Wiseman from Blake Lapthorn to head a team receiving increased instructions regarding REACH and the Biocidal Products Directive. The group has expertise in pollution-driven matters and a niche in transport emissions. Wolverhampton City Council sought advice concerning a housing estate being built on a former factory site.

Within Planning, tier 4

Barry Jeeps at Stephenson Harwood is regarded as ‘one of the best’ and ‘excellent on all counts’ for his ‘hard work, efficiency and excellent grasp of the issues’. The practice attracts instructions on strategic permission work and long-term regeneration and other projects. Jeeps is advising EDF Energy on electricity infrastructure for the Olympics 2012 site, and advised the London Development Agency on issues regarding the London City Airport expansion.

Within Property finance, Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

Stephenson Harwood increasingly has experience in the European market, and advised key client St Martins Property Group on the multi-jurisdictional US$515.5m restructuring of its property finance facilities. Richard Light and John Fox are ‘hardworking, practical, commercial, and a pleasure to work with’, while the team as a whole ‘provides a commercial and flexible service’.

Within Property litigation, tier 4

Stephenson Harwood advised on a spate of retail insolvencies, including Zavvi’s. Sean Fitzgerald and Ken Duncan are recommended.

Within Social housing finance, Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

Stephenson Harwood enters the ranking following the arrival of ‘recognised expert’ Natalie Elphicke from Addleshaw Goddard LLP. The team’s excellent relationships with the banking sector complement its strong relations with developers and housing associations, and it is particularly experienced in student accommodation projects.

Within Intellectual property, tier 6

Stephenson Harwood joins the ranking thanks to the recruitment of contentious IP partner Eifion Morris from Clifford Chance, where he was an associate. He brings contentious brands and design protection work and international brand and portfolio management expertise, and joins a team led by Lucy Harrold which has expertise in advising oil and gas companies on the infringement of technology and design patents.

Within IT and telecoms, tier 4

At Stephenson Harwood, the ‘dependable and intelligent’ John Buyers is recommended.

Within Aviation, Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

Stephenson Harwood has continued to strengthen and expand its international aviation practice, with the appointment of Paul Ng as global head. At the forefront of this expansion is the London practice, headed by Paul Phillips, which has been very active in relation to a number of airline collapses arising from the economic downturn. In 2008 the team acted on the completion of the £103.5m sale of GB Airways to easyJet, and advised clients on a range of regulatory issues, including the EU-US Open Skies Agreement and upcoming EU Emissions Trading Scheme. On the contentious side, the firm has been acting for Landsbanki Islands hf on the recovery and repossession of four aircraft in arrestment proceedings in France, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan following the collapse of Ocean Airlines.

Within Rail, Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP’s rail practice has a global scope thanks to the firm’s construction and projects expertise, and has increased its profile in the rolling stock sector thanks to asset finance partner Graeme McLellan. The team has been providing projects advice to the Railway Procurement Agency and Balfour Beatty, as well as regulatory advice to the Olympic Delivery Authority. Jonathan Hart is recommended. Clare McConnell recently left to join Stephenson Harwood.

Within Rail, Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

Stephenson Harwood recently bolstered its infrastructure and rolling stock expertise in the heavy rail sector with the hire of Clare McConnell from Pinsent Masons LLP. She joins a team that already boasts well-respected asset finance and leasing experts in Mary Bonar and Martin Fleetwood, who have ‘unrivalled industry knowledge and a creative approach to problem-solving’. 2008 saw the team act for BTMU Capital Corporation on freight locomotive purchase and leasing transactions across Europe.

Within Shipping , Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

Stephenson Harwood has a solid reputation for ship construction disputes, charterparty litigation, arrests and compulsory sales. It advised in connection with the hijacking of the vessel Lehmann Timber off the coast of Somalia. Paolo Ghirardani is practice head; Stuart Beadnall is noted for shipbuilding and LNG contracts; Duncan McDonald is recommended for ship construction disputes, and Haris Zografakis specialises in the resolution of shipping, international trade and commodities disputes. Alex Davis’ marine insurance team acts purely for insurers.