Call: Call 2017 - Date of admission as Solicitor: 1989 Higher Rights of Audience: 1998

Stephen Barker

  • Stephen Barker wins applause for his exceptional work

    Chambers Guide [2009]
  • A-list player who has a good legal brain and brings incredible energy to his cases.

    Chambers Guide [2011]
  • A well established and respected practitioner

    Chambers Guide [2009]
  • Hard working and highly intelligent.

    Chambers Guide [2009]
  • His "measured and sensible approach" convinces commentators that clients are in safe hands.

    Chambers Guide [2008]
  • An extremely good litigator with an astute business mind.

    Chambers Guide [2010]
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Practice Summary

Stephen is sought after as one of the UK’s leading Commercial Mediators.  He has mediated full-time since 2012 and is acknowledged as a leader in his field by Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal.  He has a very high settlement rate.  Stephen works tirelessly with the parties to guide them to a deal.  If settlement cannot achieved on the day, he will often keep the process open until the settlement can be signed-off.

He mediates the full range commercial disputes, internationally and domestically.  Stephen has settled many highly complex disputes requiring a firm grasp of the facts and an eye for detail. He also recognises that sometimes the simplest of cases are the hardest to crack.   Whether a case is large or small, complex or straightforward, Stephen will bring the same focus and energy to work with the parties to find a mutually acceptable lasting solution. 

He has particular expertise in mediating professional negligence claims, insolvency, and shareholder disputes, alongside an established practice in commercial contract, IT and construction mediation.

Stephen will mediate face-to-face when required.  However, he regularly mediates using Zoom Pro, in which he has an excellent record of settlement.  International disputes lend themselves to online mediation.  Stephen has successfully mediated online multi-million GBP disputes with parties located all over the world. 

Stephen’s background is complex commercial litigation and arbitration.   Formerly, partner at international law firms Eversheds and Reed Smith.  Historically rated for Commercial Litigation as: “Hard working and highly intelligent"; “An extremely good litigator with an astute business mind”; "A-list player … good legal brain … brings incredible energy to his cases.". 

Alongside Stephen’s busy mediation practice he acts as English Legal Counsel to a German  automotive manufacturing company.

Stephen Barker has the experience to mediate the overwhelming majority of commercial disputes with the benefit of a lawyer’s understanding of the legal framework of the dispute.  His has mediated disputes in the following areas:-

  • Commercial contracts (breach; termination; reputation; penalties; delay; non-performance; force-majeure; debt)

  • International distribution agreements

  • Professional negligence (solicitors, accountants, architects and valuers)

  • Manufacturing (design and development; product defects)

  • Automotive and Motorsport (manufacturing; development projects; driver/team disputes; classic car provenance)

  • Shareholder and business partnership (break-down of relationships)

  • Franchise agreements

  • Property (rights, boundaries and rights of way; damage; planning; s106 agreements; neighbours)

  • Landlord & tenant (dilapidations; forfeiture; quiet enjoyment)

  • Construction (private residential & commercial; delay & disruption; loss and expense)

  • Engineering (civil; mechanical; electrical)

  • Corporate transactions (warranty claims; sale and purchase agreements; completion accounts; contingency fees).

  • IT, telecoms; outsourcing and software development

  • Environmental (oil discharge; pollution of water-course).

  • Banking and finance (including crypto currency)

  • Housing/local authority

  • Agriculture (crops; machinery; pollution; livestock; equestrian)

  • Green energy (solar; wind; biomass)

  • Probate

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Instruct Stephen

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+44 (0)20 7404 5252 or