Stephen is highly experienced in all aspects of fraud, gained during more than 20 years practising in personal injury including; exaggeration, fundamental dishonesty, fraudulent credit hire, staged road traffic accidents and contempt of court arising from medical expert reports.
Stephen regularly appears in court where he is noted for his persuasive advocacy abilities and his comprehensive knowledge of the civil procedure rules. His specialist skill with costs arguments makes him very sought after for Costs and Case Management hearings.
Stephen is consistently Legal 500 recommended in the area of Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence work. He has a very strong paperwork practice, drafting and providing advice to a wide range of clients from some of the largest national firms to direct access and sole practitioners.
Stephen receives regular instructions from national firms on behalf of insurers. He has also provided training and presentations to solicitors and insurance clients on the issues of fundamental dishonesty and costs.
Most recently, this year, Stephen presented a webinar on costs matters, including the subjects of disapplying QOCS, offsetting costs pursuant to Ho v Adelekun, and reduction of costs under CPR 44.2(4) & (5) involving ‘innocent’ exaggeration.
Recommendations
Ranked Tier 3
Legal 500 2023 - Personal Injury
Notable Cases
Patel v Arriva Midlands Ltd [2019] EWHC 1216 (QB)
Where a substantial PI claim for damages, arising from a severe conversion disorder, was struck out under section 57 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 as being fundamentally dishonest.
Javed, Farooq and Hussain v Smith (2019)
Where three claimants’ claims were dismissed at trial, following concerns regarding the RTA being staged and forged documents in support of damages.
Downer v Axa Insurance (2018)
Reported in the Insurance Times, Insurance Business, Insurance Post and Intelligent Insurer, as well as regional newspapers. Where a champion boxer was found to be fundamentally dishonest and ordered to pay over £13,000 in costs.
Memberships
AvMA
Personal Injury Bar Association
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, Bristol 1995
Dip Law, BPP Law School 1996
BVC (Very Competent), Inns of Court School of Law 1997
