Sue Millar
Partner
Sue is a leading litigator, known for her strategic acumen in commercial litigation and sanctions law.
Partner
Sue is a leading litigator, known for her strategic acumen in commercial litigation and sanctions law.
Language - English
Jurisdiction - England & Wales
Sue Millar has been described as a force of nature and is renowned for her expertise in commercial litigation and sanctions law. Her clients, ranging from global banks to international businesses, appreciate her ability to navigate complex disputes with backbone and steel. Sue’s commercial litigation practice spans finance litigation, civil fraud, and corporate trust disputes, where she is known for her strategic insight and commitment to finding solutions to intricate problems.
Sue leads Stephenson Harwood’s Sanctions practice, advising on contentious and non-contentious issues related to all of the recent sanctions regimes. Her deep understanding of sanctions law, honed over 16 years, ensures clients can confidently manage regulatory challenges and protect their interests. In commercial litigation, Sue provides robust representation, whether bringing or defending claims or pursuing recoveries in high-stakes cases.
Clients describe Sue as knowing everything, with a magical combination of toughness and approachability. Her dynamic and creative approach, coupled with her instinctive grasp of commercial realities, makes her an inspiring team leader and a trusted guide for clients facing the most challenging legal landscapes.
Offshore trust dispute
Acting for the trustee of a multi-billion dollars trust facing claims from overseas government authorities, discretionary beneficiaries and others.
Finance litigation
Acting for the insolvency administrator of an Eastern European bank on claims against its former owner, who was subject to civil and criminal fraud proceedings in multiple jurisdictions. We obtained freezing, third party disclosure and search orders.Sanctions
Advising an asset management company, majority owned by a sovereign wealth fund and managing its assets, on its rights and obligations under the relevant sanctions regime. This included liaising with regulators in multiple jurisdictions and obtaining licences to permit its continued operation.Sanctions
Advising a government entity in a decades-long commercial dispute.. The matter concerned the effect of intervening sanctions on the enforcement of an arbitration award, including in relation to interest, and resulted in a leading judgment that continues to be relied upon across the UK and the EU.Corporate trusts
Defending a corporate trustee of a distressed trust threatened with an allegation of breach of trust and thereafter advising it on its rights and obligations arising from the wrongful acts of a third party in purporting to put the securitisation vehicle into administration.Corporate trusts
Advising in matters arising from a financial institution's liability management exercise pursuant to which it invited bondholders to exchange their bonds for cash, in default of which it would seek a subordinated liability order pursuant to which bondholders' rights would be significantly reduced and/or extinguished.Asset management company
Advising in relation to multiple US proceeding against various investment banks in relation to a very significant portfolio of allegedly mis-sold bonds.Insurance brokers
Advising a global firm of insurance brokers on a number of claims alleging negligent placement of insurance, including a successful defence following the collapse of a dishonest claimant's claim at trial.Finance litigation
Acting for a claimant bank seeking to recover funds from a collapsed Saudi conglomerate following allegations of wide-scale fraud exceeding US$ 9bn and affecting in excess of 100 banks.Export controls
Advising an environmental consultancy on its obligations arising from a breach of the UK export control rules including establishing effective liaison with the various agencies - ECJU, HMRC and the NCA.
