Steve Walpole

He has a wide range of experience, including of trials in the Senior Courts and representing clients in the Appellate Courts. He has a particular interest in the financial services and industrials sectors.

Jurisdiction: England & Wales

• Advised Santander UK plc in an application against it and a number of other financial institutions, for a group litigation order in relation to so-called Plevin claims. The application was successfully resisted (Abernethy and Others v Various Banks [2025] EWCC 1).
• Advised Skipton Building Society in proceedings before the Court of Appeal in which the Court considered claims against the Society pursuant to Section 140A of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (Harrop v Skipton Building Society [2024] EWCA Civ 1106).
• Advised Clydesdale Bank PLC in proceedings before the Commercial Court and the Court of Appeal relating to a fraudulent investment scheme and the interpretation of provisions contained in the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (Chudley v Clydesdale Bank PLC[2019]) EWCA Civ 344).
• Advised West Bromwich Commercial Limited on a challenge to its ability to rely on a market disruption clause (permitting the unilateral variation of interest rates by the lender) contained in loan documentation entered into with commercial borrowers following an increase in its costs of funding (Blackwater Securities Ltd v West Bromwich Commercial Ltd [2016] EWHC 3083 (Ch)).
• Advised a global clearing bank in summary judgment proceedings before the Technology and Construction Court, against a Cypriot oil and gas company, relating to the interpretation of an on demand performance guarantee provided in a trade finance context.
• Advised commercial lenders in High Court litigation in which the lenders’ ability to charge borrowers break costs arising from the early termination of multi million pound fixed rate loans was challenged.
• Advised a large retail bank on a number of claims pursuant to which retail and business banking customers challenged restrictions applied to their banking facilities.
• Advised a commercial lender on a claim in which it was alleged that the lender had acted contrary to the general prohibition contained in Section 19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act.