Stephen is an experienced practitioner in commercial litigation and arbitration, with a particular focus in insurance, shipping and commodities, and civil fraud. He has been described in the legal directories as “a rising star”, “exceptional”, having “a powerful intellect”, and having a “very quick and sharp strategical mind, but also commercially adept”.
As well as appearing before the English courts, Stephen has experience appearing before tribunals sitting in England, Hong Kong and Singapore. He is a fluent Chinese speaker, and is particularly sought for his language skills.
Stephen has experience with arbitrations involving all major governing bodies such as ICC, CIETAC, LMAA, LCIA, SIAC and HKIAC and has conducted hearings in many foreign jurisdictions. Stephen has appeared as sole counsel, as well as lead by KCs and has appeared in a number of arbitrations unled, against KCs.
Recent examples of work are as follows:
Shipping & Commodities, Chambers UK Bar 2025
Insurance, Chambers UK Bar 2025
Shipping, Legal 500 2025
Insurance And Reinsurance, Legal 500 2025
Insurance, Chambers UK Bar 2024
Shipping & Commodities, Chambers UK Bar 2024
Shipping & Commodities, Legal 500 2024
Insurance And Reinsurance, Legal 500 2024
Zephyrus Aviation Partners v Fidelis Underwriting Limited [2024] EWHC 734 (Comm)
Stephen Phillips QC named Barrister of The Week by The Lawyer
7 King’s Bench Walk team secures €27m judgment in conspiracy claim
A proper weapon against the anti-suit injunction?
2007-2010 Trinity College, University of Oxford BA Jurisprudence (First Class Honours)
2010-2011 Trinity College, University of Oxford BCL
2011-2012 College of Law, Birmingham BPTC (Outstanding)
Languages: Mandarin Chinese (fluent)
A real star in the making
Legal 500