Steven acts for many major international traders and has handled disputes involving all areas of their businesses. As well as advising on insurance related issues, he is frequently involved with advising clients in relation to all aspects of an international trade transaction including shipping and financing aspects.
Reported cases include The Kanchenjunga, a House of Lords decision which remains one of the leading cases in English law on waiver and estoppel and The Spear 1, a leading Court of Appeal decision analysing the importance of a letter of credit and its impact upon a seller's obligations to commence loading.
Steven’s broad practice has meant he frequently becomes involved in more general commercial contract and tort disputes on behalf of commercial clients.
Frequently these disputes are resolved by arbitration, but reported cases include Stocznia Gdanska v Latco (a leading House of Lords case on the construction of shipbuilding contracts which also dealt with numerous issues including champerty and liability of shadow directors); Ronly Holdings v JSC Zestafoni (concerning the jurisdiction of arbitrators and the application of foreign law); Padley Limited v Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (dealing with the correct classification of products and the validity of post-clearance demands by HMRC); and Kensington v Republic of Congo (concerning the injunctive relief jurisdiction of the High Court and the scope of the privilege against self-incrimination).
Steven acts for assureds, brokers and underwriters dealing with both direct and reinsurance marine and non-marine matters.
On the non-marine side he has dealt with business interruption, general liability and bankers’ blanket bond issues amongst others. On the marine side Steven has handled both cargo and hull claims, including total loss matters.
Underwriter clients include both Lloyd’s and the Companies’ Markets, and Steven frequently handles both defence and prosecution of subrogated recovery actions for insurers. He has lectured on insurance and reinsurance topics in London, Russia and the Asia Pacific region.
Reported cases include the Court of Appeal decision in Coven SpA v Hong Kong Chinese Insurance Co ( a leading case on paper losses), and Biffa Waste Services Ltd v Maschinenfabrik Ernst Hese GmbH.