About Us
Stutt Associates specialises in civil disputes. If you instruct us, you should expect legal advice from partner level, city experienced solicitors without the price tag of a comparable traditional firm, but with maximum flexibility over how you access our services from day one, without question
We are experienced in probably the broadest range of civil disputes in the region, including personal and business disputes, such as disputes over property, wills, business ownership, contracts and debt recovery. Whatever your query, it's likely we've dealt with one just like it before (with different facts obviously)
We offer two service structures: fixed fee preliminary advice); and full service (including representation in proceedings, documentation preparation and/or negotiation). In either case, you can expect straight-talking, practical, commercial advice, at a time that suits you. We aren’t tied to a traditional 9-5 working pattern, so you don’t need to be either. We’ll happily work around your working or family timetable to ensure you can access the advice you need at a time that is convenient to you.
We understand that disputes are stressful and can be all-consuming. We will handle your dispute sensitively, working towards your preferred outcome. Experience and statistics show that most disputes can be settled without a trial and perhaps without any litigation at all; we will work with you to attempt to conclude things at an early stage if possible. If not, we have a wealth of experience in taking matters to a final trial and the tools and determination to do so. We've not yet met a firm or opponent that we won't toe up to. We also have excellent professional relationships with specialists in various areas of civil disputes, who can work with us where needed on more complex matters.
Our passion is to ensure you access our services in the way that works best for you. Ask us about what service level you'd like, how you'd like us to structure our fees, whether fixed fees are possible, how and when you can speak to us, what changes you need to make our services work for you. We are happy to adapt.
Our clients love our speed, expertise and 'no nonsense' approach. We don't do posturing or unnecessary words (or latin ones!). We just do plain English, straightforward, understandable advice and we actually tell you what we think in a way you can understand. We want you to make informed choices about how your work is handled, what strategy we adopt to resolve your dispute and how much input we and you have in the process.
We are also passionate about contributing towards change in the legal sector, for the good of our clients, current lawyers and the future generations of lawyers and clients. We are always looking at ways to adapt, evolve and improve our services, so welcome any feedback that you'd like to make. We make use of AI in our services (but never using confidential client data) to streamline our processes and keep our fees competitive.
We also love to market in an audacious way. You've probably seen our branding somewhere near to you (it's bright red so it's hard to miss) and love to sponsor community and local events and involve ourselves in local community interests. If you see us somewhere, please come and say hi - we're really friendly. And you might just come away with some of our merch - it's highly covetable we're told.
Meet The Team
Lee Stutt
Director & Solicitor
Lee has been confronting and defusing disputes and litigation for over 20 years
An accredited CMC Civil Mediator, he can present strategic approaches to best achieve the outcome that you want without litigation risk exposure
But, as the former litigation head and partner at Nalders for a decade, he’s also a big hitter in the litigation world. He’s been to Court more times than probably any solicitor in the County, with over a dozen reported cases, including leading cases now relied on as authority, such as:
Zissis v Lukomski, Court of Appeal (2006) leading authority: A rare appeal of an award of a Party Wall Surveyor and the authority for the correct process to be followed in bringing an appeal. Authority for the proposition that ‘Part 52 was intended to cover a form of statutory appeal like that under section 10(17) and that the provisions of Part 52 are amply sufficient to allow justice to be done on such an appeal.’ Officially reported.
Toms v Ruberry, Court of Appeal (2019), (second appeal) leading authority: As to the ability of a commercial landlord to serve a s146 Notice before a contractual right of re-entry had arisen. Authority for the proposition that ‘a section 146 notice can be served only after the contractual right of re-entry has become enforceable’. Officially reported.
McDonagh -v- Reeve, High Court (Business and Property) 2023 Joanna Smith J : As to the construction of a restrictive covenant prohibiting ‘additional building’ where an existing single building was proposed to be replaced by another, larger, single building. Officially reported.
James -v- Scudamore, High Court (Business and Property) 2023 HHJ Matthews leading authority: as to the execution of a Will and the effect of delay in equity (i.e. laches) in bringing a claim challenging its validity. First and only authority for the proposition that: ‘unjustified delay, possibly on its own…and certainly when coupled with acts amounting to waiver of the claimant's right, will bar the claim’. Officially reported.
Dunstan -v- Ball, High Court (Chancery Division): 2024 HHJ Berkley leading authority: As to whether a will can be proved where the attesting witness was not called at trial to give evidence of the attestation. Reliable authority for the proposition that a will can be pronounced in solemn form regardless of non-attendance of the attesting witness where there is no active challenge to the attestation from the other party. Officially reported.
Ellis -v- Ellis High Court (Chancery Division) (Costs): 2025 HHJ Berkeley: as vindication of the strategic decision to issue a claim to prove an estate despite protests of a lack of letter of claim, and of the strategic decision to reject an offer of mediation made without full disclosure. Lee acted as Claimant's solicitors at the time of those events. Authority for the proposition that rejecting an offer to mediate is not necessarily fatal. Officially reported.
In all sorts of disputes, he engineers ways to keep his clients out of Court altogether, with the goal of achieving a better outcome than Court could ever give. But if litigation is unavoidable, he navigates clients through it clinically and forcefully, with all available risk and costs protection covered, to ensure the best available outcome
As well as property and probate claims, Lee has acted in an unparalleled variety of disputes over his career, for all sorts of people and businesses, including outlier cases that others could not get to grips with
He has unusually sharp litigation instincts and technical knowledge, and he gets straight to the point, in language he makes sure you can understand
Lee is a civil litigation strategist and specialist, and you want him on your side
What his client's say about him:
"Lee was very knowledgeable and supportive through a dispute process we asked him to act for us. He always replied to my queries straight away and dealt with everything in a very timely manner. I would highly recommend his services."
"I needed advice on how to proceed with a professional negligence case. I was drawn to the no-nonsense approach of this company in a sea of legal jargon. Huge thanks to Lee & team for brilliant advice and clarity on how to move forward. Highly recommend."
Lisa Haywood
Director (Solicitor), COLP & COFA
Lisa Haywood is a director and Manager of the firm. She founded the firm in 2024, with a vision to improve accessibility and inclusivity to legal services, particularly for those who struggle to get help with their disputes for financial reasons. She is passionate about tailoring our services to each individual client, so that they can feel confident that they are listened to, supported and advocated for to the best of our abilities.
She is a city-experienced, Cornish litigation solicitor with more than a decade of experience in dealing with civil disputes. She began her career as a litigation solicitor at a specialist disputes firm in Cornwall, then moved to a larger regional local firm after a career break
Lisa can deal with almost any dispute, including property and land disputes, business disputes, insolvency disputes, debt recovery, professional negligence and neighbour disputes
Her particular niche is in business and property, where she is fiercely strategic, but very commercial when it comes to advising which route to take and how the case should be executed
Lisa is also passionate about improving the legal sector, for the sake of clients, current lawyers and for future generations of lawyers. She advocates for the changes she wishes to see and models them within the firm, including the maximum possible flexibility for clients and workers and a 'seat at the table' in decision making from day one for everyone, without exception. Lisa's own experiences have allowed her to identify changes that are needed and to begin taking steps and joining causes that will bring about a real change for the good of the entire sector
What her clients say about her:
"If you're looking for someone who will fight your corner, deliver expert advice, and do it all with style (and probably in a fabulous Scamp & Dude jumper), Lisa is that person. Cornwall is lucky to have her"
"Thank you very much for all your help.
We couldn’t have achieved this result without your persistence and support. It’s been greatly appreciated!"
"Lisa was so responsive and supportive when a client decided that they were not going to pay our outstanding fees, without her support and letters she sent to the client I think we would be still waiting for payment now. Highly recommend Stutt Associates to support you and your business and to get the job done”
Lisa is available for media comment, both written and in person, on the following topics:
- property disputes
- business disputes
- publicised disputes cases
- women in law
- building a law firm
- legal entrepreneurs
- improving the legal market
- the next generation of lawyers
- the future of law