Stuart heads up the firm’s top ranking International Trade & Commodities Group. He is identified as a leading player in this field by both Legal 500 and Chambers.
Whilst he acts for clients in relation to all types of commodity matters, the majority of his practice is in the oil trading sphere where he represents major independent oil traders Gunvor International and Vitol, together with various newer market entrants; particularly those trading in Russian crude and products.
Stuart has a reputation for clear, succinct and swift advice and for his commercial approach, being described by Chambers & Partners as a “very capable” operator in this field.
Stuart has been involved in dispute resolution since joining Ince. Whilst the shipping and commodities areas have over the years provided Stuart with most of his dispute resolution work, he is also involved in general commercial dispute resolution on other areas including offshore and logistics.
Over the last few years Stuart’s commercial litigation practice has featured significant shipping fraud matters. Stuart led the Ince team representing Sovcomflot in the huge Fiona Trust fraud case in the Commercial Court, in which Russian state-owned Sovcomflot sought to recover losses in excess of US$600 million.
Stuart has been involved in dispute resolution ever since he joined Ince & Co as a trainee in 1982. Whilst the shipping and commodities areas have over the years provided Stuart with most of his dispute resolution work, he is also involved in general commercial dispute resolution on other areas including off shore and logistics.
Recently Stuart’s commercial litigation practice has featured significant shipping fraud matters. Stuart is leading the Ince team representing Sovcomflot in the Fiona fraud case in the Commercial Court in which Russian State owned Sovcomflot is seeking to recover losses excess of US$600 million.