Stuart Ritchie QC

Made Silk in 2012 at 17 years call Stuart has been described in Chambers & Partners 2013 as “a superstar fully deserving of his appointment to silk" and in Legal 500 2012 as "phenomenally talented yet incredibly modest" Stuart has "the acumen to be one of the stars of the Bar.”

Stuart’s practice covers a broad range of commercial, civil fraud, private international law, employment and LLP disputes. He is experienced in domestic and international litigation and arbitration. He is listed as a leading silk in four different practice areas in legal directories. He has a particular expertise in cases involving breaches of fiduciary duty, having co-authored (with Andrew Stafford QC) Fiduciary Duties: Directors and Employees (Jordans 2008), now the leading practitioners' publication in the area.

Acknowledged for his abilities as an advocate and a tactician, Stuart has been praised for his unique “lack of flannelling that characterises his approach to litigation." Often as frustrated as litigants by the uncommerciality of litigation, his approach is to identify the end-game at an early stage, and to get there as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. Clients refer to him as "the man you want in your corner if you have a case you need to win at all costs”.

Stuart prides himself on bringing the following traits to work in which he is instructed, as evidenced by recent market references in the leading legal directories:

Technical excellence: "He has an enormous brain and is a phenomenal barrister." (Chambers & Partners 2014); "He's incredibly knowledgeable and incredibly bright." (C&P 2014) "a true rising star whose ....expertise offers unique insight into apparently unsolvable problems" (Chambers & Partners 2011)

Commercial and business nous; “Very able, he has all the traits of a silk but also displays the pragmatic approach of a businessman. A good strategist.” (Chambers & Partners 2014) "He understood our firm and had a keen awareness of what we wanted as a client. He didn't just simply tell us what the law is." (Chambers & Partners 2014); "extremely analytical mind and technical excellence (with) commercial awareness and a client-friendly manner" (Chambers & Partners 2012)

Good strategic and tactical awareness "Stuart is an amazing tactician. In complex High Court litigation, he's certainly somebody that you want to have on your side." (Chambers & Partners 2014) "On-the-ball, incisive and deeply clever lawyer who adopts a good strategic approach in commercial disputes." (Chambers & Partners 2013); “thinks outside the box”(Legal 500 2012)

Outstanding advocacy "A superb advocate with a fantastic legal brain." (Chambers & Partners 2014); excellent at pitching his arguments to suit the tone of the court’ (Legal 500 2013);"acute legal mind and elegant manner" (Chambers & Partners 2011)

Responsiveness and willingness to roll up his sleeves as part of a team “He is immediately responsive, which is hugely important as team moves can happen very quickly. He is a very clear thinker and commercially astute." (Chambers & Partners 2014) "Mixes a great brain with great client-handling skills" and "is a dream to work with". (Legal 500 2012)