Stephen leads a specialist Consumer Finance team at Arthur Cox, working out of Belfast and London, whose principal focus is on the consumer finance and highly complex retail and wholesale motor finance sector. Advising domestic and international banks, finance houses and leasing companies, Stephen and his team work very closely alongside general counsel to provide a uniquely ‘in-house’ style of service to their clients. Stephen also advises on niche consumer finance products (whether or not regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974) including pay day lending, timeshare and shared equity schemes. Whether he is advising established high street lenders or new market entrants, Stephen is recognised as providing advice that combines the essential legal, technical and commercial elements. He is a regular contributor to trade press and speaks at industry events on a frequent basis. | Practice Areas |
Representative experience:
- Stephen led the team acting for Santander Consumer (UK) plc in its joint venture with Mazda Motors UK Limited which included a refinancing of the exiting funder and putting in place of individual stocking funding (and related security) for the 120 strong Mazda dealer network in the UK.
- Stephen acted for Volkswagen Financial Services UK Limited in connection with the refinancing of its wholesale funding facilities by Volkswagen Bank GmbH.
- Stephen acted for a US based lender seeking to establish an online pay day ending business in the UK. This involved securing the appropriate licence under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 together with necessary documentation and processes to ensure full compliance with the UK consumer finance regime.
- Stephen advised series of national and international banks and finances house in connection with their legal obligations under the Consumer Credit Act 2006 and is undertaking similar work on behalf of those same clients in connection with the Consumer Credit Directive (in time for June 2010).
Education
- LLB (Hons), University of Northumbria
Professional
- Admitted as a solicitor (England & Wales), 2002
- Admitted as a solicitor (Northern Ireland), 2009
Memberships
- Finance and leasing Association
Contact MeStephen Dawson
Partner
Arthur Cox
Capital House
3 Upper Queen Street
Belfast BT1 6PU
Northern Ireland
t: +44 (0)28 9026 5524