Stuart Wortley is a Partner in the property disputes team. He divides his time between our London and Cambridge offices.
He is one of the country’s leading practitioners in property disputes with more than 35 years’ experience since he trained with Boodle Hatfield (including 20 years as a Partner with Pinsent Masons in Leeds / London and 10 years as a Partner with Eversheds Sutherland in London / Cambridge).
Stuart was included in the inaugural Legal 500 “Hall of Fame” for property litigation in 2018 where he has remained ever since. He advises on all property issues – but the work which he most enjoys is finding creative solutions to complex property problems.
He has advised on property disputes concerning well known properties including Camel Laird Shipyard, Wembley Stadium, The Shard, 22 Bishopsgate, Canary Wharf Estate, High Speed 2, Elstree Film Studios and New Covent Garden Market.
Stuart has represented clients at over 25 trials (one of which ran for 35 days). He was also a key member of the team which advised on one of the longest ever property arbitrations (Annington v MoD). In July 2026, Stuart concluded a 10 day trial in the Business and Property Courts at Leeds. He is currently preparing for a 12 day trial in July 2027 in the Business and Property Courts in London.
Recent work highlights
Civil Injunctions
Stuart has developed one of the leading practices for advising clients in relation to injunctions to restrain trespass and nuisance. This includes protecting properties which have been targeted by protest groups (such as Just Stop Oil) and major construction sites at risk of trespass by “urban explorers”. In 2024, 12 UK airports obtained injunctions to restrain Just Stop Oil from interfering with departures. Stuart led the team which obtained 10 of those injunctions. Stuart has obtained over 60 similar injunctions since 2018.
Committal Proceedings
Stuart led the team which advised Esso Petroleum Company Limited in relation to committal proceedings against Scott Breen [2022 EWCA Civ 1405]. This remains the leading case on contempt of court against protestors in breach of civil injunctions.
DS Developing Limited v A Hughes & Son (Skellingthorpe) Limited
Between 13-24 July 2026, Stuart represented the Defendant in relation to these proceedings – instructing Tom Weekes KC and Camilla Lamont of Landmark Chambers.
Experience & education
2026 Joined Birketts
2016 – 2025 Eversheds Sutherland
1993 – 2015 Pinsent Masons
1989 – 1992 Boodle Hatfield
1988 – 1989 Trent Polytechnic
1985 – 1988 Nottingham University
Areas of Expertise
Accreditations
Legal 500
Hall of Fame since 2018
Property Litigation Association
Former Chairman
Stuart is great at dissecting very technical matters into bite-sized pieces.
Chambers [UK 2026]
