Darren Stewart

Darren joined Albion Chambers in January 2019 following a successful 14-year career as a solicitor. Originally called to the Bar in 2002, he cross-qualified with Eversheds LLP, being admitted to the Roll in 2004. Following his tenure at Eversheds LLP, Darren sought out other lead and management roles within the South-Wales area that would allow him to expand his repertoire and knowledge in a broad range of legal areas including employment, commercial and civil litigation and business law. In 2009 he set up his own boutique firm, delivering a comprehensive suite of services to SMEs and start-up businesses, and drawing from his extensive and broad-ranging experience. He was repeatedly instructed by firms and entrepreneurs that included: the largest independent caterer in Wales, a contestant on Dragons Den and an executive director of a Welsh rugby team, amongst many others.

In 2016 Darren was invited to work on a consultancy basis with a number of local authorities including Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Wiltshire, in addition to smaller parish and community councils. Darren advised at every level of management from HR assistants to Chief Executive, and on matters that included disputes on high-value demolition agreements to proceedings involving the sale of a 5,000-year-old Egyptian statuette. Darren spent a year heading up the employment and litigation team in a shared service company, delivering legal advice to a number of local authorities, NGOs and NfP organisations advising at director level and in regard to a complicated TUPE transfer.

Most recently Darren has been instructed on a number of employment cases involving disability discrimination and unfair dismissal amongst others. He was recently successful in eliminating the disability discrimination element of a high value claim brought against a local authority. Uniquely in this matter Darren was both the instructed solicitor at the preliminary stages, whilst working with the local authority, and then counsel following his joining of Albion Chambers. In addition, he has been instructed in relation to disputes involving corporate executives, recently appearing in Reading employment tribunal where he successfully defended the Respondent Company from an unfair dismissal claim brought by a director and in which there was significant acrimony between the parties. From a Claimant perspective he has been instructed on a number of occasions to advise and represent employees in a number of employment claims including constructive unfair dismissal, disability discrimination and TUPE.

His pragmatic and empathetic style, extensive knowledge combined with his professional experience as a solicitor allows him to segue seamlessly into the delivery of legal services from initial instruction to eventual conclusion.

Darren practises in employment, civil and regulatory law.

Background:

Following his tenure at Eversheds LLP he developed a multi-disciplinary practice in South Wales which included representing both claimant and defendant clients in civil, employment and licensing matters.

In 2009 Darren established his own boutique practice specialising in providing commercial advice and assistance to local business and SMEs. Representing clients in both non-contentious and contentious matters, he was frequently instructed to appear in the civil courts and tribunals with regard to various employment, contract and commercial disputes.

In 2015 Darren began acting as a consultant lawyer for various local authorities. Through a shared service ‘ABS’ Darren acted for unitary authorities, district and borough councils in a range of local government related issues which saw him advising at director and chief executive level and liaising with councilors, Members of Parliament and monitoring officers. Often instructed to advise on complex and politically sensitive matters.

During this time he was also invited to lead the litigation team of the ABS.

Darren understands the unique internal workings, and unique tensions of advising and working on behalf of local authorities and other public bodies.

Client Recommendations:

“Darren is a highly competent lawyer with a diverse and broad skillset… He demonstrates versatility and professionalism, commitment and dedication, along with the intellectual confidence to undertake any task asked of him…”