Independent Consultant

Stuart Pickford

Pensions Litigation, Logistics Dispute Resolution, Litigation & Dispute Resolution

"Stuart Pickford’s approach is always very thorough and he always goes the extra mile to ensure that responses cover all the details." He is "an able and thoughtful litigator with good judgement" and "brings a fine, forensic approach to intricate problems of governance and claims which can have their origin many decades in the past. Patient, careful, and considered, he is able to deconstruct and explain complex problems."

Legal 500

Overview

Stuart Pickford advises on a broad variety of commercial disputes, often with an international element. He also advises on a range of contentious pension matters, including cases before the Pensions Ombudsman and the Determination Panel, as well as litigation before the High Court and in appellate courts. For example, he acted for the Trustee in the landmark Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund litigation, for which the team was shortlisted for the Litigation Team of the Year Award by The Lawyer and commended in the FT Europe Innovative Lawyers report.

Experience

  • Advised on the defence of High Court proceedings brought by c.18,000 claimants asserting pollution and environmental damage claims under Brazilian law.  The claims were brought in the context of parallel proceedings in Brazil and raised complex issues on jurisdiction and whether the English courts are the appropriate forum in which to commence large collective litigation arising from events overseas.
  • Advised a Korean contractor in relation to a complex joint venture dispute regarding the construction of a hospital as part of a PPP Project in West Asia.
  • Acted for an independent oil company in an application for interim injunctive relief to safeguard its position pending the resolution of a dispute with the regulator concerning the acquisition of a substantial portfolio of energy assets.
  • Acted for trustees in a case before the Determinations Panel concerning the proposed exercise by the Pensions Regulator of its statutory power to appoint an independent trustee with exclusive powers. The Determinations Panel held that it would not be reasonable to exercise the power.
  • Briggs v Cla[2019] EWHC 102 (Ch):  Acted for the successful applicant in an application to exclude without prejudice material.  The decision is an important authority on without prejudice privilege and the scope of the so-called Muller exception. 

Recognition

Consistently ranked as a key individual by the legal directories

  • ‘Stuart Pickford’s approach is always very thorough and he always goes the extra mile to ensure that responses cover all the details.’ He ‘is our litigation adviser and brings a fine, forensic approach to intricate problems of governance and claims which can have their origin many decades in the past. Patient, careful, and considered, he is able to deconstruct and explain complex problems to a trustee board largely composed of non-lawyers. His measured and thoughtful advice has yielded excellent results for our Scheme.’ ‘Stuart Pickford is an able and thoughtful litigator with good judgement.’ Legal 500.
  • Band 3: Pensions Litigation. Stuart Pickford acts as a consultant to Mayer Brown's disputes team. He garners high praise for his ability to handle a variety of matters within the pension litigation space. His work includes matters involving The Pensions Ombudsman and professional negligence claims. "He is effective at resolving complex pensions problems and knows the area really well." "He's a meticulous partner who is very thorough in his work." "He is prompt in delivering his advice, and his advice has been clear and to the point." "Stuart is a fantastic pensions lawyer - really meticulous, really careful and really thoughtful." "Stuart Pickford applies a forensic approach to dispute resolution and breaks down the complex into easily understandable individual components." "He is thoughtful, incisive and effective." Chambers UK
  •  ‘Stuart Pickford is intelligent and has good judgment.’ 'Incisive' (Pensions) key lawyer Stuart Pickford 'inspires confidence' (Commercial Litigation). ‘Stuart Pickford has been supporting us for years, providing valuable support in complex matters and proving to be a trusted advisor. He is able to quickly understand issues at stake and provide practical solutions with a clear reasoning.‘ ‘Stuart Pickford is a standout adviser who is both meticulous as to details and highly insightful on strategy. He is, additionally, wholly reliable, indeed unflappable, when crisis looms and is ready willing and able to devote all his energies to achieve the necessary. He truly inspires confidence.‘ Legal 500

Education

  • The College of Law, London
  • King's College London, University of London, Law

Admissions

  • England and Wales
  • Solicitor Advocate with Higher Rights of Audience (Civil)

Courts

  • Solicitor Advocate with Higher Rights of Audience (Civil)

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Member, Association of Pension Lawyers
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