About Steven
Steven is co-head of the Banking and Finance Group and has over twenty five years' experience of handling complex disputes for investment and retail banks and other financial institutions. "Despite the enormous volume of work the Group undertakes it is always phenomenally on top of things - and always good on detail" (Chambers 2013).
Steven’s practice covers disputes involving investment products, mis-selling, derivatives, fraud and asset recoveries, breach of mandate, breach of trust, misrepresentation, breach of contract, mortgages, guarantees and other security issues, insolvency, secured and unsecured recoveries, trade finance, consumer credit, leasing finance, FOS investigations, professional indemnity, compliance and regulatory reviews.
In both Chambers and Legal 500, Steven has consistently been recognised as a leader in his field. In Chambers 2013 Steven is noted to be "vastly experienced and is a formidable force in this field who provides calm and sober judgement on every case". Sources also highlight him as a fantastic communicator: "He is brilliant with clients; he has an amazing rapport with individuals".
Steven's clients include Barclays Bank Plc, The Royal Bank of Scotland (including NatWest, Coutts, and Lombard), Allied Irish Bank, UBS, Woolwich, Barclaycard, National Australia Group, Investec (including Kensington Mortgages) and Santander (including Abbey National and Alliance & Leicester).
Steven has been a partner since 1991. He was managing partner between 1999 and 2006 and elected as the first Chair of Matthew Arnold & Baldwin on its incorporation in April 2009 and re-elected in 2011 and 2013. He also sits on the Management Board.
Steven lectures and produces articles and bulletins on banking and financial issues.
Steven is a member of the Centre of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Institute of Directors, R3 – The Association of Business Recovery Professionals, and, through the firm, the FLA, BBA and CML.
News and views from Steven
The OFT has launched a review of industry compliance with its debt management guidance. The guidance sets out the minimum standards of behaviour for providers of debt management services. However, the last compliance review took place six years ago, in November 2003, and the debt management market has changed significantly during that time. By conducting… Learn more
According to newspaper reports, the FSA has agreed to reassess the system for compensating customers of failed financial institutions. The FSA said that it will launch a consultation on possible changes to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) next year, including the way in which it is funded, with a view to new rules being… Learn more
The Government is consulting on new proposals to reform the regulation of credit cards and store cards. The proposals include forcing companies to allow customers to pay off their most expensive debts first; increasing the minimum monthly repayment level to encourage customers to pay off their debt faster; preventing companies from raising customers’ credit limits… Learn more
The Payment Services Directive (PSD) was implemented in the UK by the Payment Services Regulations 2009 on 1 November 2009. This Directive, combined with the new Banking Conduct of Business Sourcebook (also discussed in this issue of the Bulletin), will be a huge challenge for banks as they try to meet their new compliance obligations.… Learn more
The FSA implemented its new retail banking conduct regime on 1 November 2009. It will apply to UK authorised banks, building societies, e-money issuers and credit unions. The FSA now has the responsibility for retail banking conduct of business regulation and it will apply its Principles for Businesses and a new Banking Conduct of Business… Learn more