Stewarts has been listed for the third year running in The Times Best Law Firms report, being commended for family, and listed as a top-three firm for personal injury and clinical negligence, and commercial disputes.
The Best Law Firms list is compiled by Statista and is decided solely through ballots cast by lawyers themselves. Lawyers from a range of specialist areas are asked a simple question: “Who would you recommend if you were not recommending your own firm?”
A list of the 200 top legal practices in England and Wales and top 40 in Scotland is drawn from the results, spanning specialisms across business, public and private client law, with a top three being selected for each category.
Stewarts achieved a top-three ranking in commercial disputes, with its work on the MasterCard interchange fee litigation and its group action against Ingenious Media both being mentioned.
The MasterCard interchange fee litigation was heard in the Supreme Court in early 2020 with judgment handed down in June. The court decided that the fees charged to retailers each time a credit or debit card payment was processed broke competition laws. The Times notes:
“Stewarts’ competition litigation department, led by the Partner Kate Pollock, mounted the case on behalf of the retail giants Asda, Argos and Morrisons. The value of damages has yet to be established.”
The firm’s work in relation to mis-sold tax film schemes was also noted, saying:
“Stewarts is representing more than 350 people in a class action against Ingenious Media, a financing company that promoted tax avoidance schemes that purported to fund dozens of films, including hits such as Avatar and Brooklyn.”
Faranak Ghajavand, an associate who currently works on the film scheme litigation, is noted as a rising star by The Times.
The firm was also noted for its work in the personal injury and clinical negligence category. The team’s work in representing Olivia Jackson, a stunt performer who was injured while filming Resident Evil: The Final Chapter in 2015, is noted. The settlement achieved for Vicky Balch, who lost her leg in the Alton Towers Smiler rollercoaster crash is also mentioned.
The Divorce and Family department is also highly commended in the report. This year the team has dealt with a number of high profile cases, including one that was praised for “levelling the playing field” with regards to arguments of special contribution in divorce proceedings.
The firm’s profile in the guide can be found here (subscription required).
The full directory can be found here (subscription required).
You can find further information regarding our expertise, experience and team on our Competition Litigation, Divorce and Family, International Injury, Personal Injury and Tax Litigation and Investigations page.
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