We advise clients in every major industry and sector, ranging from multinational corporations, financial institutions, large and medium sized companies, professionals and trustees to governments, charities, high net worth individuals and their corporate interests.
We offer commercially focused and practical solutions for complex disputes, often assisting clients with interests that cross industries, geographic locations and jurisdictions.
We regularly advise on disputes relating to commercial contracts, trade finance, corporate transactions and governance, joint-ventures, partnerships and shareholder disputes.
We also handle potentially contentious aspects of major corporate and financial transactions, political, cyber threat and sanctions issues as well as disputes involving fraud and injunctions, asset tracing and enforcement strategies.
We have litigation experts in every office who work with each other regularly, so our local lawyers can put together an international team quickly and efficiently.
Our experience means we can anticipate and prevent issues before they arise. We are also trusted to act quickly and effectively whenever urgent action is required.
"Stephenson Harwood has an exceptionally strong commercial litigation team whose lawyers are of the highest quality and totally dedicated to the pursuit of their clients’ interests. Extremely strong on international litigation and investment funds."
The Legal 500 UK 2023
Tchenguiz
In one of the largest disputes of the past decade, the ongoing multi-faceted Tchenguiz litigation, we have achieved a series of victories including securing jurisdiction against Kaupthing Bank Hf and a successful judicial review challenge against the SFO.
Rangers FC restructuring
Acting for the liquidators in relation to all aspects of the liquidation of the most successful domestic football club in the world, including high-profile and high-value litigation in England and Scotland.
Accolade Wines
Acted for Accolade Wines Limited in major dispute in relation to the defective/negligent design and construction of the largest wine production, storage and distribution facility in the UK.
Big four accountancy firm
Acting for one of the big four accountancy firms in relation to claims of alleged negligent advice made by a commercial client against our client and a major city law firm.
Collapse of Arch-Cru funds
Acted for SPL Guernsey ICC Ltd regarding the collapse of the Arch Cru funds and the related litigation both in the UK and Guernsey including claims against the managers, directors, administrators and auditors.
Mobil v PDVSA
Successfully discharged $12 billion freezing order and brought related damages claims arising out of ICSID and ICC arbitrations between a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil and the Venezuelan state oil company.
Samuel Tak Lee
Acting for a Hong Kong tycoon defending a claim to his Tokyo commercial property portfolio, and winning on appeal in the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.
ETI v Bolivia and Entel
Successfully discharging freezing order before the English Commercial Court and Court of Appeal in telecoms investment treaty dispute under ICSID arbitration rules involving issues of state immunity.
First Media
Acting for an Indonesian media listco in proceedings to set aside enforcement orders made by the Hong Kong High Court in respect of Singapore arbitration awards obtained by the Malaysian conglomerate Astro.
Probate litigation
Acting in a probate action concerning the multi-billion dollar estate of a well-known Hong Kong entrepreneur, including testamentary capacity in the context of dementia and an application to appoint an administrator pendente lite.