GT Stewart Limited > Ashford, England > Firm Profile
GT Stewart Limited Offices
THE PANORAMA
PARK STREET
ASHFORD
TNJ24 8DF
England
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GT Stewart Limited > The Legal 500 Rankings
Crime, fraud and licensing > General crime and fraud Tier 3
With capacity to deal with the full range of criminal offenses, GT Stewart Limited is especially well versed in youth crime defence work and offers expert knowledge in modern slavery matters. Will Russell heads up the private client department, and his practice extends to matters involving murder, sexual offences and road traffic offence charges. Defending young and vulnerable clients, Mel Stooks heads up the firm’s specialised youth crime team, while director Greg Stewart is especially strong in youth court and appeal work, with experience before the crown court. Melanie Krudy is also recommended for her general crime advocacy in a range of courts. Further key contacts are head of the crown court advocacy department Ronnie Manek, and Jack Stewart, who leads the firm’s East Kent offices.Practice head(s):
Will Russell; Mel Stooks; Ronnie Manek; Melanie Krudy; Jack Stewart
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team at GT Stewart is full of passion and commitment regardless of the client or their cause. I have always been really impressed with how prepared members of the firm are to go the extra mile for their clients, even where the case seems hopeless. They just keep going.’
‘Ronnie Manek is the head of advocacy and conducts many high-profile cases for the firm. He is an incredibly safe pair of hands and someone who clients trust implicitly, and for good reason.’
‘Will Russell is a solicitor at the firm who likes nothing better than to roll his sleeves up and get stuck into the smallest details of a case. He wins the confidence of clients with ease and really does deliver for them.’
Real estate > Social housing: tenant Tier 3
The social housing team at GT Stewart Limited provides clients with advice on possession proceedings, anti-social behaviour injunction proceedings, disrepair claims, unlawful evictions, and homeless duties. James Garvey leads the team alongside ‘excellent solicitor’ Claire Wiles, who represents a range of clients, including those with medical, social, or mental health issues, in appeals to the House of Lords and in Court of Appeal cases. Susan Gronbach has ‘a huge breadth and depth of experience’ across the full spectrum of social housing matters, such as possessions, homelessness, judicial review, and appeals. Sarah Mossop is a ‘pre-eminent disrepair practitioner’ and focuses on bringing disrepair claims for tenants and leaseholders against their social housing landlords.Practice head(s):
Claire Wiles; James Garvey
Other key lawyers:
Susan Gronbach; Luke Sheldon; Sarah Mossop; Sarah Waller
Testimonials
‘Sarah Mossop is the pre-eminent disrepair practitioner in London. She has many decades of experience, exceptional judgment and excellent client care.’
‘Good commitment to representing vulnerable persons in need of legal assistance with their housing issues. Care and understanding demonstrated for each case so that the person receives appropriate representation.’
‘Sarah Waller is extraordinarily intelligent and careful in her consideration of each case. Sarah is prepared to go the extra mile to make sure that the client feels supported and listened to. This is crucial when dealing with vulnerable clients who may not easily trust lawyers or understand the legal system.’
‘Claire Wiles shows exceptional ability and commitment to clients.’
‘The housing team at GT Stewart go above and beyond for their clients. They handle cases with sensitivity and work tirelessly to help clients remain in their home. They understand the needs and vulnerabilities of some of their clients and tailor their approach to meet those needs.’
‘Luke Sheldon is an exceptional solicitor. His attention to detail is extremely impressive. He is sensitive to the needs of his clients and works with them to achieve a good result. He is a pleasure to work with and works in partnership with counsel. Claire Wiles is an excellent solicitor. Her knowledge of housing law is excellent.’
‘I have recently worked with Luke Sheldon and have been very impressed. Case preparation is of a high standard with care and attention to detail.’
‘Susanne Gronbach is an outstanding practitioner in the area of social housing with a huge breadth and depth of experience. She is committed to doing the best for her clients.’
Key clients
Princess Bell
Kalonga
Work highlights
- Represented the Princess Bell in the High Court and obtained an injunction regarding the local authority’s failure to provide suitable temporary accommodation owed to homeless applicants.
- Assisted a client with successfully challenging Southwark Council over their attempts to commit the client to prison for breach of an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction.
- Assisted a client with securing £10,000 in damages for discrimination regarding Equality Act 2010 breaches.
Private client > Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex
Crime, fraud and licensing > Crime: general Tier 2
The criminal defence practice at GT Stewart Limited is comprised of several specialist teams. The appeals team, led by Greg Stewart, deals with applications to the Court of Appeal and the CCRC. Melanie Krudy co-leads the team and is responsible for training and billing, as well as acting as a higher court advocate. Mel Stooks leads the youth crime team and is particularly commended for her work on cases involving the Modern Slavery Act and her advocacy in the Youth Court. Claire Dissington covers criminal matters in the City of London, while Will Russell leads on private client matters and the South East London team. Sophie Smith leads the South West London team, while Ronnie Manek is the head of the higher court advocacy team.Practice head(s):
Greg Stewart; Melanie Krudy; Mel Stooks; Claire Dissington; Will Russell; Sophie Smith; Ronnie Manek
Testimonials
‘Superb legal firm at the forefront of legal knowledge, tactical skills and supplying legal services. They are one of the few firms who are heavily laden on preparation long before counsel is involved. They have access to experts, know their cases inside out, and are industry front-runners.’
‘Will Russell is one of the best solicitors I have ever worked with. His preparation, tactical skills, legal skills, and work ethic are second to none. He is the player every team would want on their side.’
‘The youth team cannot be beaten by other solicitors’ firms in London. It is headed up by Mel Stooks who is the walking book on all things youth law! Client care is exceptional, attention to detail and the solicitors’ cradle-to-grave style of casework is fantastic.’
‘A very good mixed legal aid and private practice characterised by extremely dedicated and committed professionals who always provide an excellent service no matter how big or small the case.’
‘A really good firm, committed to criminal defence.’
‘Will Russell is an exceptionally talented criminal defence lawyer with a very good legal brain to match. Clients would be hard-pressed to find a stronger all-rounder in complex criminal cases.’
‘GT Stewart Solicitors deserves its reputation for providing top class criminal defence. The criminal team is unparalleled in its commitment to ensuring that all clients get the best possible representation, determinedly going in to bat for those whom they represent.’
Work highlights
- Represented 3 Vietnamese nationals of good character charged with offences of producing a controlled drug of Class B and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs.
- Represented a retired police officer charged with making indecent images. Acquitted following trial.
- Represented one of 4 defendants prosecuted for conspiracy to defraud by being party to a bribery scheme that involved the Ministry of Defence and the Saudi Arabian National Guard.
Crime, fraud and licensing > General crime and fraud Tier 2
The team at GT Stewart Limited is well placed to defend clients charged with a variety of serious criminal offences, from the police station through to the Court of Appeal. The group has specific expertise regarding youth crime. Patricia Walker leads the team.Practice head(s):
Patricia Walker
Other key lawyers:
Philip Mahoney; Ed Youlton; Michelle Stewart
Testimonials
‘The firm is responsive and easy to reach, which is not always the case in criminal law. You get the impression they are always willing to go above and beyond what is necessary to ensure their clients’ cases are as well prepared as possible and they receive the best possible outcome.’
‘Ed Youlton had a real grasp of the case and was meticulously prepared throughout the Crown Court case management process.’
‘Terrifically hard working and responsive team. Just fantastic. Willing to go the extra mile or three. Always pick up the phone, and deal.’
‘Ed Youlton – responsive, efficient, and a no-nonsense approach. Works incredibly hard, thinks outside the box, and delivers. Always follows up on calls/emails. Comes forwards with constructive ideas, and assimilates a deluge of materials with ease, and extracts what really matters.’
Work highlights
- Represented a client before the High Court for a writ of habeas corpus.
- Represented a youth who was charged with a s18 wounding with intent.
- Represented a youth who was charged with an offence of aggravated vehicle taking.
GT Stewart Limited > Firm Profile
GT Stewart Solicitors & Advocates is a leading multi-service UK firm specialising in criminal defence, family and civil rights law. It has a national presence across ten offices – Ashford, Birmingham, City of London, Croydon, Dartford, East Dulwich, Hammersmith, Leeds Manchester and Peterborough. It provides 24 hour emergency advice to anyone who has been arrested.
GT Stewart has earned a reputation in the courts for fighting tenaciously and fairly for all clients. We keep to our strapline ‘every client matters’. The recent addition of the crime and family teams at FMW Law in Hammersmith has enhanced that reputation.
GT Stewart is on the approved and recommended list of solicitors for the National Autistic Society (NAS) and we have contributed to the Rook Working Group for Advocacy Training which produced the Advocacy and Vulnerable Training Programme. The founder and driving force behind the success of the firm, Greg Stewart, has been involved in many high profile and sensitive cases in the Crown Courts and Court of Appeal. He is the co-author of the Criminal Appeals Handbook (Bloomsbury Professional 2nd edition). He regularly contributes to consultations and discussions of criminal justice and recently appeared on Unreliable Evidence on Radio 4 discussing anti-social behaviour. In May 2019 he and the head of our Youth Court team, Mel Stooks, were jointly awarded the Youth Champions Outstanding Achievement Award at the annual Youth Summit at Kings College London. The firm has a first class in-house advocacy team, consisting of in-house barristers and solicitor advocates. They can be found on the firm’s website www.gtstewart.co.uk
Types of work undertaken
Criminal defence: GT Stewart Solicitors & Advocates provide a wide range of legal services to both individuals and businesses on a private or legal aid basis. The criminal defence team represent clients who are arrested and/or charged with a variety of serious criminal offences from the police station through to the Court of Appeal. The team comprises barristers and solicitor advocates. The team defend actions by the prosecuting agencies such as the Crown Prosecution Services (CPS), SFO, FCA, HMRC, HSE and the Office of Fair Trading. The firm is a member of the LAA Very High Cost Cases panel. The firm represents professionals facing prosecution and/or regulatory complaints. The firm has successfully challenged many decisions to prosecute by the CPS. They regularly challenge refusals of the police to vary or discharge ancillary criminal orders and DBS certificates. They have experience opposing and appealing Criminal Behaviour Orders and Gang Injunction applications.
Motoring offences: GT Stewart Solicitors & Advocates has skilled and experienced solicitors able to defend clients facing allegations such as causing death by dangerous or careless driving, driving whilst unfit or under the influence of drugs, driving without a licence or speeding.
Education and social welfare: GT Stewart Solicitors & Advocates has been awarded a contract by the Legal Aid Agency to offer advice and assistance in education law in London and North of England. The team provide the full range of services including appealing admission and exclusion decisions, enforcing provisions for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) pupils, Education Health and Care Plans and judicially reviewing local authorities’ education related decisions. The specialist members of the team have experience representing children with a spectrum of disabilities and special needs bringing judicial review proceedings on behalf of advocates, campaign organisations and charities.
Prison law: GT Stewart Solicitors has a team of solicitors specialising in all areas of prison law. They hold a LAA contract to accept publicly funded prison law work. They can represent clients at adjudications, Parole Board Hearings and advise across the full range of prison law related matters includes IPPs, life sentence reviews and where necessary challenging decisions on behalf of clients by way of judicial review. If public funded is not available they can provide competitively priced private cost estimates.
Family: GT Stewart Solicitors has a large team of solicitors specialising in all areas of family law including divorce, Children Act issues, abduction, domestic abuse, care proceedings and private children’s law. Several of the team are members of Resolution and the Children’s Panel. They can provide affordable competitive private quotes for those who do not qualify for legal aid.
Civil liberties, human rights and actions against the state: the team has exceptional experience pursuing remedies for clients or their families when they have suffered wrongs at the hands of the State or their agents including the police, prison officers, local authorities and public bodies who need access to justice. These include article 2 and 8 HRA cases involving suspicious deaths in custody.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Defence | Greg Stewart | g.stewart@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Criminal Defence | Melanie Krudy | m.krudy@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Criminal Defence | Julie Ann Boyle | j.boyle@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Criminal Defence | Philip Mahoney | p.mahoney@gtstewart.co.uk | 0113 222 4888 |
| Criminal Defence | Ronnie Manek | r.manek@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Criminal Defence | Sophie Smith | s.smith@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Criminal Defence | Mel Stooks | m.stooks@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Criminal Defence | Will Russell | w.russell@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Criminal Defence | Patricia Walker | p.walker@gtstewart.co.uk | 0113 222 4888 |
| Prison Law | Len Hodkin | l.hodkin@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Prison Law | Dr Laura Janes | l.janes@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Prison Law | Rikki Garg | r.garg@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Family Law | Geoffrey Costello | g.costello@gtstewart.co.uk | 020 299 6000 |
| Family Law | Rachel Wood | r.wood@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Housing Law | Susan Gronbach | s.gronbach@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Housing Law | Claire Wiles | c.wiles@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Civil Liberties | Bhaskar Banerjee | b.banerjee@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Community Care | Rebecca Hill | r.hill@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Actions Against the State | Bhaskar Banerjee | b.banerjee@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Education Law | Rebecca Hill | r.hill@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Motoring Law | Greg Stewart | g.stewart@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Motoring Law | Julie Ann Boyle | j.boyle@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Motoring Law | Philip Mahoney | p.mahoney@gtstewart.co.uk | 0113 222 4888 |
| Motoring Law | Sophie Smith | s.smith@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
| Motoring Law | Will Russell | w.russell@gtstewart.co.uk | 0208 299 6000 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mr Gregory Stewart | Greg Stewart is the practice head of GT Stewart Solicitors & Advocates.… | View Profile |