Stuart Turnock qualified as a solicitor in 1976. He has worked in the government legal service, local government, and as a partner in private practice.

Stuart has also provided legal services, on a sessional basis, to healthcare fitness to practise panels.

Stuart was appointed as a fee-paid judge in 2006 and sat in the First-tier Tribunal (Asylum and Immigration Chamber) on a regular basis, until his retirement in 2020.

Stuart was President of Leeds Law Society for 2007-08.