Steven Richards > Foot Anstey > Exeter, England > Lawyer Profile

Foot Anstey
SENATE COURT
SOUTHERNHAY GARDENS
EXETER
EX1 1NT
England

Work Department

Head of Fraud | Dispute Resolution |

Position

Steven is a commercial litigator who leads the firm’s multi-disciplinary Fraud and Cybercrime practice. He works on high value and complex commercial claims with an emphasis on corporate disputes, banking and financial sector litigation, professional negligence, contentious insolvency and insurance disputes. He advises regularly on business critical and urgent disputes and has particular knowledge of obtaining, enforcing and responding to applications for injunctive relief (including freezing, search and seizure and delivery up orders). In addition to extensive High Court trial expertise, Steven has significant experience advising clients on the resolution of disputes through mediations and out of court settlements.

In all cases, Steven’s primary goal is to understand the objectives of the client and to work to identify what value means to them in the given context. Cost plays an important role in disputes work and Steven has extensive knowledge of litigation funding and the management of cost risks. He also spearheads the firm’s fixed fee litigation service which offers an alternative to the traditional hourly rate, allowing us to share the cost of risk with clients and provide them with the comfort that legal fees can be kept within budget.

One recent highlight for Steven has been acting for a group of investors in a successful challenge to the Court of Appeal in respect of their claim against Clydesdale Bank, which related to a failed Cape Verde real estate scheme. The case was widely reported in the press and clarifies the law in relation to the scope of the rights of third parties under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

Lawyer Rankings

South West > Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Dorset, Devon and Cornwall

Key areas of expertise for Foot Anstey include contentious fraud and data theft mandates, banking and financial services litigation, professional negligence claims, public procurement challenges and insolvency cases, in addition to shareholder disputes and breach of warranty claims. The team, which is led by Bristol-based Mark Rhys-Jones, is also noted for its capability in handling multi-jurisdictional claims. In the firm’s Exeter office, Peter Singfield acts on a broad range of commercial and financial disputes, with demonstrable experience in intellectual property and brand protection cases, while Steven Richards handles contract disputes, fraud cases and contentious insolvency matters.

London > Dispute resolution > Banking litigation: investment and retail

Foot Anstey‘s banking and finance litigation practice has widespread expertise across fraud, regulatory and compliance, and payment disputes. SME disputes and recoveries, enforcements, and receivership work are further areas of strength for the practice. Mark Rhys-Jones, James Gliddon, and Steven Richards make up the leadership team.