Steven Thompson KC has a commercial chancery practice with a particular emphasis on civil fraud, company and joint venture disputes, insolvency and aviation matters. He regularly appears in the Business and Property Courts at the Rolls Building, principally in the Commercial Court, as well as before courts and tribunals overseas.
Steven is known for his clear, pragmatic advice and collaborative approach, working closely with clients, solicitors and the wider legal team throughout the course of a dispute. Clients have said “Steven is very good with clients, he has a very accessible manner, and he is real pleasure to work with”. He is recognised as a persuasive advocate and accomplished cross-examiner, combining careful preparation with powerful courtroom advocacy, with clients reporting “Steven is terrific as he’s strategically astute, very thoughtful and really creative when handling difficult issues. He has a clarity of expression that makes difficult concepts seem straightforward.”
He has particular experience in the first instance and appellate courts of the British Virgin Islands, the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Cayman Islands, where he has appeared regularly since being first admitted in 2000, 2010 and 2014 respectively.
He also appears before the courts of Bermuda and the Abu Dhabi Global Market in substantial shareholder and fraud disputes, and has advised and assisted in matters in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, the Turks & Caicos Islands, Hong Kong and Northern Ireland.
Steven is regularly instructed in international arbitrations and related court proceedings in the Far East, Dubai and London. He has also been nominated, appointed and sat as sole arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration that proceeded to a full hearing and final award.
For over a decade, Steven served on the International Committee of the Bar Council, including as Chair from 2019 to 2021. He was formerly Chair of the Bar’s China Interest Group.
Steven has been involved in numerous arbitrations including ones governed by the rules of the ICC, LCIA, Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, as well as trade associations and ad hoc arbitrations mainly as counsel but also as arbitrator. He advises on cases in his areas of expertise (particularly aviation, company and shareholder disputes and civil fraud) which involve an arbitration clause for dispute resolution.
He is also regularly instructed to appear in the Commercial Court in arbitration claims. He has both prepared and advised on submissions on points of English law arising in complex disputes as well as appearing in arbitrations as counsel.
Arbitration work is by its nature confidential. He is currently instructed in various disputes particularly in the aviation sector which are being resolved by arbitral tribunals as well as others involving company, commercial and commercial fraud issues.
Steven has a well-established practice in aviation law and is one of only a handful of senior members at the Bar who can say that a very significant part of their practice is in aviation-specific disputes. The Legal 500 says “He knows the aviation field better than almost anyone else at the Bar” whilst previous editions succinctly described him just as “brilliant”. Chambers & Partners reports that clients say of him: “he very effectively cross-examines and manages to keep the court’s respect whilst eviscerating the evidence of a particular witness” and “he is very detail-orientated, but is also able to present complex details in a clear and comprehensive manner.”
He has acted in many pieces of high-value litigation as well as in arbitrations both for and against major operators, maintenance organisations, manufacturers, owners and lessors, airports and air traffic control system engineers. He has developed a particular reputation for his understanding of technical manufacturing and maintenance issues in cases which involved consideration of the condition of aircraft or parts and the nature of manufacturing, maintenance and repair work.
He has experience in dealing with disputes concerning the manufacture, purchase, sale and leasing of aircraft, including cases concerning return conditions. He has also appeared in contractual disputes, product liability cases and negligence actions against maintenance organisations, often following catastrophic failures in flight. Steven’s first degree in science means that he is comfortable dealing with the complex technical expert issues, including questions of loss and damage, which often arise in this field.
During the pandemic, Steven advised operators, aircraft and engine lessors, airports and other industry players on their rights and obligations under agreements made before the industry was devasted by the travel restrictions. Subsequently he has been engaged to advise on the fresh problems faced by the industry including delays in supply and interruptions to businesses as well the fall out from the war in Ukraine, the consequent Russian sanctions and the continuing conflict in the Middle East.
His aviation experience includes:
Steven has also acted as an expert on English aviation law in aspects of the Russian aviation insurance disputes pursued outside this jurisdiction.
Steven has particular experience in multi-jurisdictional civil fraud cases. He is recognised in this area by Chambers & Partners who record that “Steven has exceptional attention to detail and an analytical eye”, and as “a bright, punchy advocate with real expertise in cross-border fraud work”. The Legal 500 reports a client saying “Steven is real heavyweight in this area with a razor sharp eye for detail and a no nonsense approach. He has a great advocacy style and his written work is excellent.”
His experience includes:
As well as the civil fraud cases in which Steven has been instructed, he is often instructed on other commercial disputes both in England and abroad.
The Legal 500 recommends him for commercial litigation work and quotes a client saying ‘Steven is a truly brilliant advocate. He is always meticulously prepared and is an immaculate court room performer. Exceptional in every way.’ Chambers & Partners also recommend him, saying ‘Steven is a reassuringly measured and experienced presence for both the solicitor and the client.’ Clients comment that ‘Steven is a punchy advocate with real expertise in cross-border work.’ Steven is also recommended in the Legal 500 EMEA Guide for commercial, clients comment ‘Steven is one of the leading authorities on DIFC litigation at the English Bar. Incredibly hard-working, a brilliant advocate and highly intelligent.’
His experience includes:
Steven’s company law experience is extensive. He is regularly involved in litigation resulting from disputes between joint venturers and shareholders. He also has particular experience advising on offshore company issues, and has also advised on and appeared in several shareholder and company disputes proceeding in the BVI and Cayman Courts which have their commercial origins in the PRC and Hong Kong.
Steven has a wealth of expertise in insolvency matters. His international experience and knowledge makes him particularly suitable in cross-border insolvencies. He has also acquired a strong reputation in aviation insolvency cases. Many of his civil fraud and commercial cases include aspect of insolvency law and insolvency risks which Steven is comfortable to handle in the course of acting.
He is recommended as a leading silk in The Legal 500 who say “Steven is highly experienced in this field and with his offshore expertise is a great asset on any case involving aspects of insolvency.”
His experience includes:
Steven has particular experience in the first instance and appellate courts of the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands, where he has appeared regularly since being first admitted in 2000 and 2014 respectively.
He also appears before the courts of Bermuda in substantial shareholder and fraud disputes, and has advised and assisted in matters in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Cyprus, the Bahamas, the Turks & Caicos Islands and Hong Kong and assisted in other cases behind the scenes, particularly in large shareholder and fraud disputes.
Steven is also regularly instructed on international arbitrations and associated Court hearings, in the Middle East and the Far East.
The Legal 500 recommends Steven for offshore work and quotes a client saying of Steven: “Robust advocacy, not easily fazed, makes difficult concepts simple to understand, stands up well under pressure even at the highest levels of the court system”. The Legal 500 also reports that “Steven is highly experienced in this field and with his offshore expertise is a great asset on any case involving aspects of insolvency.”
His experience includes:
Steven has particular experience in the first instance and appellate courts the Dubai International Financial Centre having undertaken work continuously in those jurisdictions since first admitted in 2010. He also appears before the courts of the Abu Dhabi Global Market in substantial shareholder and fraud disputes. Steven is also regularly instructed on international arbitrations and associated Court hearings across the Middle East.
Ranked as a leading junior in the Legal 500 EMEA guide, clients note of his Middle Eastern work “Steven is one of the leading authorities on DIFC litigation at the English Bar”. They state he is “an excellent advocate” who is “very detailed-oriented, and is happy to roll up his sleeves and get stuck into the case”.
His experience includes:
Aviation
Chambers & Partners
‘Steven is terrific as he’s strategically astute, very thoughtful and really creative when handling difficult issues. He has a clarity of expression that makes difficult concepts seem straightforward.’ (2026)
‘He is immensely knowledgeable and tactically astute, as well as a pleasure to deal with.’ (2026)
‘A real team player, who assimilates information very well and gives new direction as to how to approach a case.’ (2025)
‘Steven is very impressive on his feet and particularly excellent on the details.’ (2024)
‘Steven is very good with clients, he has a very accessible manner, and he is real pleasure to work with.’ (2024)
‘He is very able to handle witnesses, he very effectively cross-examines and manages to keep the court’s respect whilst eviscerating the evidence of a particular witness.’ (2023)
‘He is very detail-orientated, but is also able to present complex details in a clear and comprehensive manner.’ (2023)
The Legal 500
‘Steven is excellent.’ (2026)
Steven was ranked as a leading silk in 2025.
‘Steven has superb judgement and there is no one better at the Bar for aviation work. He is also great to work with and is willing to stick his neck out to predict outcomes.’ (2024)
‘Steven has a strong intellect and gives clear and robust advice. He knows the aviation field better than almost anyone else at the Bar.’ (2023)
‘A great barrister for any commercial or fraud case, Steven has a particular specialism in aviation, and it shows. One of the absolute best that you can instruct on an aviation case.’ (2022)
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Chambers & Partners
‘Steven Thompson is impressively focused and a brilliant cross-examiner.’ (2026)
‘A wonderful advocate; he is just a Rolls-Royce performer. On his feet, he is unflappable and just brilliant.’ (2026)
‘Steven is really good in court, very persuasive on his feet and just great to work with.’ (2025)
‘Steven is highly technical and very good on factual matters.’ (2025)
‘Very smart and easy to work with, he’s a man who brings genuine knowledge and enthusiasm.’ (2024)
‘Steven is extremely bright and fights very hard.’ (2024)
‘Steven is a reassuringly measured and experienced presence for both the solicitor and the client.’ (2023)
‘Great at handling witnesses, he very effectively cross-examines and manages to keep the court’s respect whilst eviscerating the evidence of a particular witness.’ (2023)
‘Hard-working and motivated, he is someone who is just as keen as you are to win. He is very smart and great to work with.’ (2022 – UK and Global)
The Legal 500
‘Steven is an outstanding advocate with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law. He is very hands-on and great with clients.’ (2026)
‘Steven has superb judgement and there is no one better at the Bar for aviation work. He is also great to work with, and is willing to stick his neck out to predict outcomes.’ (2024)
‘Steven is a truly brilliant advocate. He is always meticulously prepared and is an immaculate court room performer. Exceptional in every way.’ (2023)
‘An awesome talent. Provides excellent advice and does not sit on the fence.’ (2022)
Offshore
Chambers and Partners
‘Steven has a truly multi-jurisdictional practice and is super bright.’ (2026)
The Legal 500
‘Steven is exceptionally bright and a brilliant advocate who can always be relied on to get great results, even with a difficult case. He has encyclopaedic knowledge of the law and so it particularly suited for appellate work, but he is equally good at interlocutory skirmishes.’ (2024)
‘Robust advocacy, not easily fazed, makes difficult concepts simple to understand, stands up well under pressure even at the highest levels of the court system.’ (2023)
‘He balances a direct no-nonsense approach, with full awareness of legal and strategic nuance.’ (2022)
‘Very good at reading judges, he always pitches it just right.’ (2021)
Middle East: The English Bar – Commercial
The Legal 500
Ranked as a leading silk. (2026)
Steven is ranked as a leading junior in The Legal 500 EMEA 2025.
Steven is one of the leading authorities on DIFC litigation at the English Bar. Incredibly hard-working, a brilliant advocate and highly intelligent.’ (2024)
‘Steven is an excellent advocate. He is very detailed-oriented, and is happy to roll up his sleeves and get stuck into the case. He is also a pleasure to work with.’ (2023)
‘Steven is supremely knowledgeable and has excellent analytical skills. He is creative, commercial and always gets the very best result for his clients.’ (2022)
Restructuring/Insolvency
Chambers & Partners
‘A hugely experienced, very powerful and persuasive advocate.’ (2021 – Global)
Legal 500
‘Steven is highly experienced in this field and with his offshore expertise is a great asset on any case involving aspects of insolvency.’ (2023)
‘Has an excellent knowledge of insolvency law and a mastermind in this area.’ (2022)
Commercial Litigation
Legal 500
‘He is a Rolls Royce of an advocate’ (2026)
Fraud: civil
Chambers and Partners
‘He provides very practical advice and is a very effective strategist.‘ (2026)
‘He is excellent and tactical.‘ (2026)
‘He is a really good advocate who is very commercial and cuts straight to the chase.‘ (2026)
Legal 500
Ranked as a leading silk. (2026)
Trusts
Legal 500
Ranked as a leading junior. (2026)
