Stephen works principally for shipowners, charterers, including major and independent oil companies, and their mutual and non-mutual insurers. As well as handling charterparty, bill of lading, MOA and shipbuilding issues, he is experienced in drafting carriage, charter and other contracts for use as standard forms or in specialised projects in the liner, tanker and offshore oil and gas sectors. Stephen spent three and a half years working in Richards Butler's Hong Kong office. He is regularly ranked in Chambers and Partners and according to Legal 500 2016 'effortlessly combines detailed knowledge of the law with genuine commercial understanding'. He was appointed a partner in 1997.