Peter
Stewart is head of our Dispute Resolution
Group. He is particularly responsible for our commercial litigation, corporate risk management, shareholder disputes and travel and tourism groups.
Peter advises clients across a range of industry sectors. He has
particular experience in dealing with high profile and/or high
value and/or high sensitivity litigation where the nature and
outcome of the litigation is most significant for the
client.
Peter advises a wide range of travel companies, insurers and
travel trade associations on all issues affecting the travel
industry. He is currently involved in the two most high profile and
significant cases for the travel industry.
Peter is generally perceived as the father of his specialism,
many commentators regard him as the “cleverest man in travel
law .” Chambers, 2008.
Recent cases:
- General/Commercial Litigation/Shareholder Disputes
- A shareholder’s dispute spread across English, South Africa and
Mauritian jurisdictions involving cross-border freezing and search
and seizure applications, and overall claims in excess of US $100
million.
- Judicial Review proceedings against HMRC in relation to tax
issues running to billions of dollars, which proceedings led to
satisfactory overall resolution for the tax payer company.
- Claims against our client, a UK listed company, by a middle
eastern bank for half a billion dollars, where the claims involved
allegations of fraudulent trading.
Corporate Risk Management:
- Advising a large petrochemical company on the risks involved in
a worldwide roll out of new products.
- Advising a US company on the risks involved in the sale in
Europe of its anti-terrorism product.
- Acting on behalf of a multi-national travel company and its
employees in its defence of an overseas manslaughter prosecution
and related matters.
Travel:
- Advising the Association of British Travel Agents on the
application of the ATOL Regulations 2003. This includes judicial
review proceedings against the CAA, where the CAA, having lost on
first instance, unsuccessfully appealed to the Court of Appeal.
This was a landmark decision for the travel industry.
- Advising Travel Republic in its defence of a prosecution
instigated by the CAA – a continuation of landmark issues for the
travel industry in relation to the ATOL Regulations and the
definition of package.
- Acting on behalf of a multi-national travel company and its
employees in its defence of an overseas manslaughter prosecution
and related matters. This is hugely significant for the
travel industry.
Peter is authorised by the Dubai International Financial Centre
("DIFC") as a practitioner permitted to issue and conduct
proceedings in the DIFC Courts which hear all types of civil and
commercial matters. Proceedings in the DIFC Courts are conducted in
English applying common law principles.
Peter is the author of "A Practical Guide to Package Holiday Law
and Contracts" (third edition 1993) and "Product Liability - the
law under the Consumer Protection Act 1987", co authored with
Rodney Nelson-Jones.
Peter regularly presents on health and safety issues at seminars
hosted by bodies such as the Institute of Travel and Tourism and
Central Law Training. Peter and his team also regularly give
tailored “added-value” seminars to client in-house. Peter has also
recorded podcasts on the implications of
the new Corporate Manslaughter Act.