Stephen joined Greenwoods as a partner in 2004 having been involved in insurance related litigation since 1988. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1994 and, prior to joining Greenwoods, worked at two City of London practices.
He specialises in product liability claims (usually with a foreign element or jurisdictional issues); personal injury claims, particularly those of a serious nature and disease claims involving asbestos related disease; WRULDs; stress; HAVS and deafness. In addition, Stephen handles the defence of numerous Health and Safety Executive prosecutions for companies, partnerships and individuals on behalf of insurers and self-insureds. These include many high profile incidents involving fatalities and major injuries. He is used to defending prosecutions both in the Magistrates and Crown Courts as well as handling local and national press coverage. He is routinely instructed to deal with Health & Safety Executive and local authority investigations; environmental cases; corporate manslaughter investigations and Inquests.
Stephen has a client base that includes major international companies from the energy sector and pharmaceutical industries as well as insurance companies. He is a member of the Health & Safety Lawyers Association.
Stephen was appointed to sit as a Deputy District Judge on the South Eastern Circuit in August 2010.
‘Stephen Byass heads the team at Greenwoods Solicitors, and enjoys a formidable reputation.’ (Legal 500, 2011)
‘Stephen Byass is regarded as ”extremely good” at corporate manslaughter prosecutions.’ (Chambers UK Guide, 2012)
Notable cases
- HSE v HHP – double fatality on farm following foreign workers being dragged into machinery
- Tebay Rail Disaster – acted for individual arrested for manslaughter
- R v Elia – Inquest and investigation following fatality in warehouse
- Merrett / Outhwaite litigation – involving Lloyds names in 1980s and 1990s
- Hankook Tyres – product liability case in UK and USA following various tyre failures in both jurisdictions
Interests
In his spare time, Stephen’s interests include rugby, cricket, travel, good food and wine.
