Chambers UK, 2017
Exceptional judgment."
Chambers UK, 2017
Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide, 2019
Stephen Parkinson is Kingsley Napley’s Senior Partner.
Stephen is a highly experienced and versatile litigator with extensive experience in advising companies, organisations, and individuals caught up in criminal and regulatory investigations or public inquiries. His previous client list has included numerous individuals at the top of their fields, whether in business or politics.
Stephen is unusual in having achieved distinction in a number of areas of law, and in having worked at the highest levels both in the public and private sectors. This experience has given him an unusually broad perspective and ability to advise on a wide range of issues.
Prior to joining Kingsley Napley, Stephen was the Deputy Head of the Attorney General’s Office. Stephen became a partner at Kingsley Napley in 2005, and then the Head of the Criminal Litigation department from 2006-2018, before stepping up to Senior Partner on 1 May 2018.
Stephen is a BAME and LGBTQ Ally, and has made the promotion of diversity and inclusion a key objective for his term as Senior Partner.
Stephen Parkinson is regarded as the doyen of this space."
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2020
Probably has the most faultless judgement in London when it comes to financial crime."
Chambers UK 2020 - A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
His background in prosecuting, his erudite manner and his disarmingly modest approach make him the most perfect foil for both the SFO and the FCA."
Chambers UK 2020 - A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
He is a top man. He has a consistently good reputation and is a leader in the field. He is always a pleasure to work with."
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2020
Brings significant value to clients due to his excellent regulatory experience and expertise in criminal investigations."
Who's Who Legal: Investigations, 2020
He litigates in the most effective way. He's very smart and very strategic."
Chambers UK 2020 – A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession
He comes highly recommended for his expertise representing senior executives facing allegations of corruption and bribery."
Chambers UK 2020 – A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession
Stephen Parkinson probably has the most faultless judgement in London when it comes to financial crime."
Legal 500 UK 2020
If you are a senior director at a blue-chip company who needs heavyweight representation, he [Stephen] would be one of the first names on the list."
Chambers & Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2019
He is phenomenal; he's an extraordinarily smart lawyer," adding that "he sees things from all perspectives."
Chambers and Partners, 2019
He has been at the top of the market for a long time and is a brilliant lawyer with a very strategic mind."
Chambers & Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2019
He's very experienced, very sensible and knows the SFO extremely well," adding that "he has great knowledge of criminal trials."
Chambers and Partners, 2019
A huge figure” in the business crime space who comes highly recommended by market sources for his vast experience handling regulatory and criminal investigations."
Who's Who Legal: Business Crime Defence 2018
Stands out for his excellent advocacy work in relation to business crime investigations."
Who’s Who Legal, Investigations 2018
He comes across as measured and considered; he's very highly respected."
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2018
Draws high praise from a range of international sources for his world-class practice."
Who's Who Legal, Business Crime Defence 2017: Analysis
The ‘highly intelligent and calm’ Stephen Parkinson is ‘admired by those who lead the prosecuting authorities, from whom he obtains, as a consequence, results which appear impossible’."
Legal 500, 2017
Fantastically able practitioner who is well connected."
Who’s Who Legal and GIR top lawyers for internal /external investigations, 2017
One of the most talented solicitors around."
Chambers UK, 2017
Hugely knowledgeable and hugely experienced, with a really good sense of judgement in complex cases, and a very strategic mind."
Chambers and Partners, 2017
His diplomatic skills are second to none, which is very valuable."
Chambers UK, 2017
Exceptional judgment."
Chambers UK, 2017
...Respected for his crisis coolness, strategic judgement and political sensitivity..."
Quote taken from Spear's, Top Five Criminal Lawyers, 10th Anniversary Issue
...Recommended for his abilities in politically significant criminal proceedings. Sources praise him as "high-minded and clever."
Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
...His knowledge is amazing; he's very sharp and very quick..."
Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
Really top-notch given his experience and insight. …His knowledge is amazing; he's very sharp and very quick."
Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
High minded and clever "
Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
Strong on the interface between criminal and public law". He is described as "very incisive, pragmatic and easy to work with."
Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession
Fantastic lawyer, with a political head on him,' ... 'absolutely cool in a crisis."
Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession
Regularly entrusted with cases of the very greatest complexity and intellectual demand."
Legal 500 UK
Stephen was called to the Bar in 1980 and requalified as a solicitor in 2005. He became a partner of Kingsley Napley in 2005 and the head of the Criminal and Regulatory Practice Area in 2006. He is also admitted to the Bar of the Turks and Caicos Islands in respect of a number of cases.
Stephen Parkinson is the great string puller - invisible, deadly, the wisest lawyer in the white collar industry in London."
Legal 500 UK 2021
Stephen Parkinson is a wise head who combines wide experience with excellent judgment."
Legal 500 UK 2021
Stephen Parkinson is clever and experienced."
Legal 500 UK 2021
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