Legal Background

Stuart’s background is in commercial dispute resolution and litigation. He qualified as a solicitor at a “Magic Circle” firm in London in 1991, where he worked until moving to Leeds in 1994. He became a partner (and Head of Litigation in Leeds) at a large international law firm in 1998, where he remained until 2008 when he left practice to become a full-time independent mediator.
 As a litigation lawyer Stuart worked with clients and opponents to resolve an estimated 600 commercial disputes through litigation and/or negotiation. He represented a range of commercial, public sector and individual clients operating in the UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and the US.

 Stuart has represented clients in the UK courts, up to and including the House of Lords (now the Supreme Court) and the Privy Council, in the European Court of Human Rights and the United Nations Human Rights Council, and in domestic and international arbitrations as well as in mediations and direct negotiations.