With an active cross-border disputes practice, Stephenson Harwood regularly handles corporate, joint venture and partnership disputes on behalf of international clients. With a strong track record in high-stakes litigation, the team is involved in bet-the-company litigation. Its diverse clientele includes corporations, private equity funds, asset managers and governments, spanning the energy, financial services, shipping aviation, art and real estate industries. Richard Garcia leads the team, noting an increase in disputes related to fund collapse and asset management. Genevieve Quierin is experienced in disputes stemming from M&A, including private equity activity and venture capital investments. Sue Millar’s commercial disputes practice spans shareholder and finance litigation, as well as corporate and private trusts disputes; she also boasts extensive expertise in sanctions. Guy Harper and Chris Pettett are other names to note. Stephen Ashley left the firm in October 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'An outstanding all round commercial disputes team, with strong partners and very able and dependable associates.'
- 'Dan Smith - partner. Extremely approachable; excellent client skills; shrewd grasp of issues. Always thinks through problems and approaches very carefully.'
- 'Ability to create a strong, professional relationship with the client. Takes time to fully understand client's objectives and risk parameters. Provides pragmatic and commercial advice. Is very responsive.'
- 'Genevieve's commitment to high standards of client service and her ability to distill complex issues into clear, actionable strategies set her apart from competitors.'
- 'The quality of the team and their willingness to put in the hard yards mark them out.'
- 'Genevieve shows fantastic judgement and great strategic skill. They mould an excellent team around them.'
- 'A quality commercial litigation team, with strength in depth and key individuals with genuine expertise.'
Key clients
- Saxon Woods Investments Limited
- Over 1,800 claimants including numerous global hotel chains, high street and online retailers, a leading betting and gaming company, restaurant chains, travel companies, arts and entertainment companies, ticketing companies and others
- (1) Primer Design Limited; (2) Novacyt S.A.
- XiO Cayman Limited
- Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank Limited (Taiwan)
- Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd, Bank of Cyprus Public Company Limited and various credit acquiring companies
- Aldi
- Morrisons
- Asda
- Ocado
Work highlights
Secured a finding of unfair prejudice for Saxon Woods Investments Limited in February 2024, following a heavily contested 5-week liability trial in the Business and Property Courts in the autumn of 2023.
Representing over 1,800 corporate claimants within the financial services, hospitality, leisure, retail, arts, ticketing, online betting, financial services and several other sectors in Europe-wide group claims brought against Mastercard and Visa.
Acting on behalf of Primer Design Limited and its listed French parent company, Novacyt S.A., defending a contractual claim brought by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and pursuing the client's counterclaim to recover sums.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Chris Pettett
Practice head
Richard Garcia
Other key lawyers
Genevieve Quierin; Sue Millar; Guy Harper; Chris Pettet; Adam Polonsky; Dan Smith