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Stephen Du
Stephen Du
Call: 2012
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Practice Profile

Stephen practises in commercial law, with a particular focus in insurance and reinsurance, shipping, commodities, private international law and civil fraud. He is equally comfortable being instructed as sole counsel or as part of a team, and has also provided expert evidence on English law in foreign proceedings. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, and is interested in expanding his practice to jurisdictions in the Far East such as China, Hong Kong and Singapore. If you are interested in instructing Stephen, please contact our clerks to discuss the requirements of the case and his availability. If you would like to download Stephen’s CV in Chinese, please click here.

  • Acted with Richard Southern QC on behalf of an Italian insurance company against its investment managers who had allegedly misappropriated in excess of €26m of securities belonging to their principal.
  • Entertainment One Limited v Monex and Anr: Acted as sole counsel on behalf of a former senior executive alleged to have received bribes in exchange for entering forex contracts which resulted in losses in excess of £17m.
  • Republic of Djibouti v Boreh: acting (as junior counsel) for Mr Boreh in defending claims by the Republic of Djibouti in the Commercial Court alleging abuse of his position as Chairman of the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority.
  • Acting as junior counsel in a US$400m LCIA arbitration concerning the termination of a 10-year Gas Sales Agreement in West Africa.
  • Acted as sole counsel in a LCIA arbitration concerning a dispute worth over US$120m arising from a Cooperation Agreement relating to the provision of a customised mobile phone web browser.
  • Acted for a global political campaign consultancy in a dispute regarding services provided in an African election.
  • Acted for a foreign investor in a dispute arising from a Share Investment Agreement relating to a UK angel investment club.
  • Acted with Peter MacDonald Eggers QC on behalf of a commodities trader based in Dubai in a GAFTA arbitration regarding a contract for the sale of wheat, the cargo having been rejected by inspectors from the Egyptian government.
  • Appeared as sole counsel in a HKIAC emergency arbitration hearing in Hong Kong on behalf of a buyer seeking urgent interim relief in a dispute regarding the sale of coal.
  • Acted as sole counsel on behalf of Chinese buyers in a CIETAC arbitration regarding a series of contracts for the purchase of US corn and DDGS.
  • Advised with Alistair Schaff QC on a US$60m business interruption claim by a well-known airline arising from COVID-19.
  • Acted with Peter MacDonald Eggers QC on a marine insurance claim concerning the detention of a vessel in Mexico after the discovery of approximately 225kg of cocaine onboard.
  • Acted with Sioban Healy QC in a SIAC arbitration concerning a US$8.5m claim by a commodities trader under a credit insurance policy.
  • Acted on behalf of an investment bank in a claim under two professional indemnity policies arising from various investigations by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers.
  • Advised on coverage issues arising from various insurance policies, including professional indemnity, fidelity, life insurance and household policies.
  • Glory Wealth Shipping Pte Ltd v Flame SA [2016] EWHC 293, [2016] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 571. Appeared with Richard Southern QC in an arbitration appeal concerning breach of a contract of affreightment and whether the owners had suffered substantial loss.
  • Acted with Stephen Hofmeyr QC in a dispute arising from US sanctions against Venezuela, for shipowners whose oil tankers were delayed in Venezuela for over 6 months.
  • Acting with Alistair Schaff QC, Stephen Phillips QC and John Bignall in a multi-million dollar arbitration concerning a dispute under three shipmanagement agreements involving a major Greek shipping family.
  • Appeared as sole counsel against a QC in a LMAA arbitration hearing concerning the chartering of a Floating Storage Regasification Unit and a claim for over US$45 million in hire and related expenses.
  • Acting as sole counsel for a buyer in a LMAA arbitration concerning the construction of a crane vessel claiming damages in excess of US$16m.
  • A thoroughly modern barrister who combines a powerful intellect with a no-nonsense and professional approach. Legal 500 2021
  • A real star in the making. Legal 500 2020
  • A Chinese-speaking barrister instructed in shipbuilding arbitrations. Legal 500 2020 Asia Pacific
  • He is very bright and able. Legal 500 2018
  • A Chinese speaker instructed directly by Mainland firms. Legal 500 2018 Asia Pacific
  • Exceptional. Legal 500 2017

  • 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)

    Awards

    • Lady Astbury Memorial Prize, Trinity College, Oxford 2008 (best College performance in first year exams)
    • Colin Nicholls QC Prize, Trinity College, Oxford 2008 (best College performance in Criminal Law paper)
    • Lovells Prize, Trinity College, Oxford 2009
    • Mowat Scholarship, Trinity College, Oxford 2009
    • Finals Prize, Trinity College, Oxford 2010
    • RA Knox Memorial Prize, Trinity College, Oxford 2010
    • College of Law prizes for best performance in Civil Litigation and Criminal Litigation papers
    • Hardwicke Entrance Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
    • Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
    • Buchanan Prize, Lincoln’s Inn
    • Sunley Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn

    Languages: Mandarin Chinese (fluent)

Stephen Du and Steven Zhou, King & Wood Mallesons co wrote an article called “Maritime Injunction: a proper weapon against the anti-suit injunction?”. To view the full article please click here.

Portfolio