Ian Wilson KC

Ian regularly acts for banks and financial institutions including in some of their most substantial and significant cases; he has extensive experience of banking litigation, including investment management, securities, swaps and other structured financial products. He is consistently ranked as a leading practitioner in Banking & Finance and Financial Services.

Ian has considerable experience in representing banks in mis-selling claims, commission claims, fraud trials, payment protection insurance, unfair relationship claims, and multi-jurisdictional disputes. He is also known for his expertise and experience in consumer credit and regulatory matters. Ian acted in the Paragon Finance v Plevin litigation (concerning PPI and unfair relationships) before the Supreme Court and in the recent motor finance litigation in the Court of Appeal, and has been involved in a substantial number of other large scale financial cases.

Ian is general co-editor of Paget’s Law of Banking (16^th edition).

Recent instructions include:

• Acting for Close Brothers in the Hopcraft motor finance litigation in the Court of Appeal.
• Acting for Clydesdale in the Farol v Clydedsale & NAB litigation, one of the largest banking cases of 2023-2024, involving challenges to break cost payments under fixed rate loans.
• Representing the claimant liquidators in the Harrington & Charles Trading v Mehta litigation arising out of the largest alleged fraud in Indian history.
• Acting for various Lebanese banks in claims arising out of the Lebanese banking crisis.

Notable recent cases include:

Harrington & Charles Trading Co Ltd & Ors v Metha & Ors (ongoing); [2024] EWHC 2674 (Ch); [2023] EWHC 307 (Ch); [2023] EWHC 998 (Ch); [2022] EWHC 1810 (Ch); [2022] EWHC 2960 (Ch). Acting for the joint liquidators of English companies in ongoing proceedings arising out of the largest alleged fraud in Indian history, involving the misappropriation of the proceeds sales of approximately $1 billion of gold bullion and jewellery via a complex network of payments routed via offshore banks and other entities; due to go to trial in April 2026.  Instructed by Hogan Lovells and Gateley PLC.

Alesayi v Bank Audi SAL [2025] EWHC 440 (KB) & [2025] EWHC 1033 (KB).  Acting for the Lebanese bank, Bank Audi, in a very substantial jurisdiction challenge in the context of a multi-million $ claim arising out of the Lebanese financial crisis. Permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal has been granted.  Instructed by Dechert LLP.

Cedar Mundi & ots v Cedar II (2025-ongoing).  Acting for an asset-holding SPV whose shareholders are the major Lebanese banks, in a complex fraud case due to go to trial in February 2026. Instructed by Dechert LLP.

Hopcraft v Close Brothers Ltd [2024] EWCA Civ 1282. Acting for Close Brothers Ltd in the Court of Appeal in the ongoing motor finance litigation; obtained permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. Instructed by Walker Morris LLP & Slaughter and May.

Farol Holdings Ltd v Clydesdale Bank Plc & National Australia Bank Ltd [2024] EWHC 593 (Ch); [2024] EWHC 1044 (Ch). Acting for Clydesdale in one of the largest banking cases of 2023-2024. The claimants challenged the Bank’s entitlement to charge break costs on the early termination of fixed rate loans. After a 3-month trial, Zacaroli J dismissed all of the claims with indemnity costs. Instructed by DLA Piper LLP.

Lynch v Aldermore Bank [2022] EWHC 3050 (Ch). Acting for Aldermore Bank in its successful appeal against a first instance decision to overturn a trustee in bankruptcy’s admission of a proof of debt based on a bank guarantee. Instructed by Pinsent Masons.

Manoukian v Societe Generale de Banque au Liban SAL [2022] EWHC 669 (QB). Acting for a Lebanese Bank in claims arising out of deposits in Lebanon during the financial crisis. One of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2022. Instructed by Dechert LLP.

Glare v Clydesdale Bank Plc [2022] EWHC 3488 (Ch). Acting for Clydesdale in successfully striking out various proceedings arising out of the charging of break costs upon the early termination of fixed rate loans. Instructed by DLA Piper LLP.

Tillman v Lloyds Bank & Better Capital (Commercial Court, 2021). Defending Lloyds in a £150m claim by the former owner of the high street chain, Jaeger, involving allegations of conspiracy, deceit and breach of confidence arising from the circumstances of its administration. Instructed by DLA Piper LLP.

Ward v Clydesdale Bank Plc [2021] EWHC 1942 (Comm). Acting for Clydesdale Bank in a £50m claim concerning the claimant partnership’s property business and their entry into swaps and tailored business loan products. Instructed by DLA Piper LLP.

Khalifeh v Blom Bank SAL [2021] EWHC 1502 (QB). Acting for a Lebanese Bank in proceedings concerning substantial US$ deposits in Lebanon and involving an application for an anti-suit injunction, and in successfully defending the claims at trial. Instructed by Dechert LLP.

Chudley v Clydesdale Bank plc [2019] 3 WLR 661; [2019] 2 All ER (Comm) 293. Acting for the bank in the Court of Appeal case which is now the leading authority on section 1 of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. Instructed by Addleshaw Goddard LLP.

Clydesdale Bank plc v Stoke Place Ltd [2017] EWHC 181 (Ch). Acted for Clydesdale in 3-week trial involving a successful fraud claim by the bank against a company director and former bank official involving allegations of deceit and conspiracy. Judgment obtained for £17m. Instructed by Gateley PLC.

Finch v Lloyds TSB Bank plc [2017] BCLC 34. Acted for Lloyds in successfully defending the first fixed interest rate loan mis-selling claim to come to trial in England. Instructed by TLT LLP.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme v FirstPlus Financial Group & others (2016 – 2018). Acted for Paragon Finance in a group claim by the FSCS and others for recovery of compensation payments made to PPI customers. Instructed by Harrison Clark Rickerbys.

Plevin v Paragon Finance [2014] UKSC 61. Acted for Paragon in the leading Supreme Court decision on payment protection insurance and section 140A of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Instructed by Irwin Mitchell.

Ian has over 25 years of experience in large-scale commercial dispute and fraud cases. He has renowned expertise in fraud recovery actions, asset tracing, injunctive relief, contempt of court and multi-jurisdictional proceedings.

Recent instructions include:

• Acting for the joint liquidators in the Harrington v Mehta litigation, involving an alleged $1billion fraud.
• Acting for Lebanese banks in various disputes arising out of the Lebanese financial crisis.
• Acting in one of the largest bankruptcy proceedings currently in the UK, involving a former owner of various Russian banks.
• Acting in a $1billion multi-jurisdictional claim involving an alleged ‘corporate raid’ on a corporate structure owning strategic assets in Russia. This involved, amongst other claims, liquidation proceedings in the BVI and international arbitration proceedings in London.
• Acting for the English shipbrokers, Clarksons, in the Fiona Trust v Privalov litigation.

Notable cases include:

Harrington & Charles Trading Co Ltd & Ors v Metha & Ors (ongoing); [2024] EWHC 2674 (Ch); [2023] EWHC 307 (Ch); [2023] EWHC 998 (Ch); [2022] EWHC 1810 (Ch); [2022] EWHC 2960 (Ch). Acting for the joint liquidators of English companies in ongoing proceedings arising out of the largest alleged fraud in Indian history, involving the misappropriation of the proceeds sales of approximately $1 billion of gold bullion and jewellery via a complex network of payments routed via offshore banks and other entities; due to go to trial in April 2026.  Instructed by Hogan Lovells and Gateley PLC.

Alesayi v Bank Audi SAL [2025] EWHC 440 (KB) & [2025] EWHC 1033 (KB).  Acting for the Lebanese bank, Bank Audi, in a very substantial jurisdiction challenge in the context of a multi-million $ claim arising out of the Lebanese financial crisis. Permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal has been granted.  Instructed by Dechert LLP.

Cedar Mundi & ots v Cedar II (2025-ongoing).  Acting for an asset-holding SPV whose shareholders are the major Lebanese banks, in a complex fraud case due to go to trial in February 2026. Instructed by Dechert LLP.

Halimeda International Ltd v Sian Participation Corp (2021). Acting in liquidation proceedings in the BVI (concerning a US$221million debt) and in an English arbitration in a complex multi-jurisdictional dispute ultimately concerned with the ownership and control of a major logistics company owning, amongst other things, the port of Vladivostok. Instructed by DLA Piper LLP.

Khalifeh v Blom Bank SAL [2021] EWHC 1502 (QB). Acting for a Lebanese Bank in defending an application for an anti-suit injunction to prevent parallel proceedings in Lebanon, and in successfully defending the claims at trial. Instructed by Dechert.

Chudley v Clydesdale Bank [2019] 3 WLR 661; [2019] 2 All ER (Comm) 293 (Court of Appeal). Acted for the bank in a fraud claim against it by an investor in failed investment scheme. Instructed by Addleshaw Goddard LLP.

​Clydesdale Bank v Stoke Place Ltd [2017] EWHC 181 (Ch). Acted for the bank in 3-week trial involving a successful fraud claim against a company director and former bank official involving allegations of deceit and conspiracy. Judgment obtained for £17m. Instructed by Gateley LLP.

Tempo & Maxima v Fortuna (2011-2014). Litigation in Cayman and the BVI concerning a $500m development in Vietnam; the case involved claims by minority shareholders for breach of a shareholders’ agreement, and various company law claims as to the validity of key corporate resolutions. Led by Stephen Phillips QC and Richard Salter QC. Instructed by Maples & Calder in Cayman, and Watson, Farley & Williams in Hong Kong.

Fiona Trust & Holding Corp v Privalov [2010] EWHC 3199; [2011] All ER (D) 73 (Andrew Smith J). [2010] EWHC 3199; [2011] All ER (D) 73. Very substantial Commercial Court litigation involving conspiracy and fraud claims against shipping brokers and others for the recovery of commission payments. Ian acted for the UK’s largest shipbrokers, Clarksons. Instructed by CMS Cameron McKenna in a 9-month trial.

Ian is highly experienced in a broad range of contractual and commercial disputes, with particular expertise in fraud litigation, arbitration, asset tracing and recovery actions, injunctive relief, contempt of court and multi-jurisdictional proceedings.

Notable cases include:

Harrington & Charles Trading Co Ltd & Ors v Metha & Ors (ongoing); [2024] EWHC 2674 (Ch); [2023] EWHC 307 (Ch); [2023] EWHC 998 (Ch); [2022] EWHC 1810 (Ch); [2022] EWHC 2960 (Ch). Acting for the joint liquidators of English companies in ongoing proceedings arising out of the largest alleged fraud in Indian history, involving the misappropriation of the proceeds sales of approximately $1 billion of gold bullion and jewellery via a complex network of payments routed via offshore banks and other entities; due to go to trial in April 2026.  Instructed by Hogan Lovells and Gateley PLC.

Alesayi v Bank Audi SAL [2025] EWHC 440 (KB) & [2025] EWHC 1033 (KB).  Acting for the Lebanese bank, Bank Audi, in a very substantial jurisdiction challenge in the context of a multi-million $ claim arising out of the Lebanese financial crisis. Permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal has been granted.  Instructed by Dechert LLP.

Cedar Mundi & ots v Cedar II (2025-ongoing).  Acting for an asset-holding SPV whose shareholders are the major Lebanese banks, in a complex fraud case due to go to trial in February 2026. Instructed by Dechert LLP.

Manoukian v Societe Generale de Banque au Liban SAL [2022] EWHC 669 (QB). Acting for a Lebanese Bank in claims arising out of deposits in Lebanon during the financial crisis. One of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2022. Instructed by Dechert.

Halimeda International Ltd v Sian Participation Corp (2021). Acting in liquidation proceedings in the BVI (concerning a US$221million debt) and in an English arbitration in a complex multi-jurisdictional dispute ultimately concerned with the ownership and control of a major logistics company owning, amongst other things, the port of Vladivostok. Instructed by DLA Piper LLP.

Khalifeh v Blom Bank SAL [2021] EWHC 1502 (QB). Acting for a Lebanese Bank in defending an application for an anti-suit injunction to prevent parallel proceedings in Lebanon, and in successfully defending the claims at trial. Instructed by Dechert.

Chudley v Clydesdale Bank [2019] 3 WLR 661; [2019] 2 All ER (Comm) 293 (Court of Appeal). Acted for the bank in a fraud claim against it by an investor in failed investment scheme. Instructed by Addleshaw Goddard LLP.

​Clydesdale Bank v Stoke Place Ltd [2017] EWHC 181 (Ch). Acted for the bank in 3-week trial involving a successful fraud claim against a company director and former bank official involving allegations of deceit and conspiracy. Judgment obtained for £17m. Instructed by Gateley LLP.

Tempo & Maxima v Fortuna (2011-2014). Litigation in Cayman and the BVI concerning a $500m development in Vietnam; the case involved claims by minority shareholders for breach of a shareholders’ agreement, and various company law claims as to the validity of key corporate resolutions. Led by Stephen Phillips QC and Richard Salter QC. Instructed by Maples & Calder in Cayman, and Watson, Farley & Williams in Hong Kong.

Renpower Investments Ltd v Larkfleet Ltd [2013] EWHC 800 (QB) 2012-3) – Commercial dispute in relation to a sale and purchase agreement involving the transfer of a solar farm subject to accreditation under the Feed-In-Tariff Regulations.

Fiona Trust & Holding Corp v Privalov & ots [2010] EWHC 3199; [2011] All ER (D) 73 (Andrew Smith J). [2010] EWHC 3199; [2011] All ER (D) 73. Very substantial Commercial Court litigation involving conspiracy and fraud claims against shipping brokers and others for the recovery of commission payments. Ian acted for the UK’s largest shipbrokers, Clarksons. Instructed by CMS Cameron McKenna in a 9-month trial.

Ian has acted in various energy disputes, particularly in the context of alternative and renewable energy sources.

Notable cases include:

Renpower Investments Ltd v Larkfleet Ltd [2013] EWHC 800 (QB). Instructed on the appeal in litigation relating to a sale and purchase agreement involving the transfer of a solar farm subject to OFGEM accreditation under the Feed-In- Tarrifs (Specified Maximum Capacity and Functions) Order 2010.

Enviro Resolutions v Peterborough Renewable Energy Ltd (2012) – Claim concerning the development of a “waste-to-energy” power plant.

Ian has also advised on various energy disputes, including for example a dispute concerning a sale and purchase agreement for the acquisition of a company established for the purposes of obtaining OFGEM accreditation for renewable energy production.

Ian is consistently ranked as a leading silk in the field of Insolvency & Restructuring. He is regularly instructed by liquidators, administrators, trustees and receivers in relation to a range of insolvency matters. He has considerable experience in claims against former directors and others for wrongful trading, preferences, transactions at an undervalue, and misfeasance, as well as in relation to the failure of a complex tax avoidance scheme. Many of his cases involve aspects of fraud.

He has particular experience in asset recovery actions in the insolvency context, claims by successor practitioners against former insolvency office holders, and in claims involving insolvency practitioner bonds (being one of the few members of the Bar with extensive experience in this area). He has also recently acted in one of the leading cases concerning corporate capital reductions using the “declaration of solvency” procedure under the Companies Act 2006.

Recent instructions include:

• Acting for the joint liquidators in the Harrington v Mehta litigation, arising out of the largest alleged fraud in Indian history
• Acting in various disputes arising out of the Lebanese financial crisis.
• Acting in one of the largest bankruptcy proceedings currently in the UK, involving a former owner of various Russian banks.
• Acting for liquidators in a misfeasance/breach of fiduciary duty claim against former administrators in relation to a pre-pack administration.
• Acting for directors facing various Insolvency Act claims (sections 212, 238 and 423) following a complex corporate restructuring.
• Acting for successor liquidators in a dispute with the ICAEW in relation to late notification under insolvency bonds.
• Acting for liquidators in a misfeasance/breach of duty claim against a former director in relation to an illegal dividend and insufficient provision for a statement of solvency in the context of a corporate restructuring.

Notable cases include:

Harrington & Charles Trading Co Ltd & Ors v Metha & Ors (ongoing); [2024] EWHC 2674 (Ch); [2023] EWHC 307 (Ch); [2023] EWHC 998 (Ch); [2022] EWHC 1810 (Ch); [2022] EWHC 2960 (Ch). Acting for the joint liquidators of English companies in ongoing proceedings arising out of the largest alleged fraud in Indian history, involving the misappropriation of the proceeds sales of approximately $1 billion of gold bullion and jewellery via a complex network of payments routed via offshore banks and other entities; due to go to trial in April 2026.  Instructed by Hogan Lovells and Gateley PLC.

Cedar Mundi & ots v Cedar II (2025-ongoing).  Acting for an asset-holding SPV whose shareholders are the major Lebanese banks, in a complex fraud case arising out of a restructuring; due to go to trial in February 2026. Instructed by Dechert LLP.

Lynch v Aldermore Bank [2022] EWHC 3050 (Ch). Acting for Aldermore Bank in its successful appeal against the decision of Chief ICC Judge Briggs to overturn a trustee in bankruptcy’s admission of a proof of debt based on a bank guarantee. Instructed by Pinsent Masons.

Tillman v Lloyds Bank & Better Capital (Commercial Court, 2021). Defending Lloyds in a £150m claim by the former owner of the high street chain, Jaeger, involving allegations of conspiracy, deceit and breach of confidence arising from the circumstances of its administration. Instructed by DLA Piper LLP.

Chudley v Clydesdale Bank [2019] 3 WLR 661; [2019] 2 All ER (Comm) 293 (Court of Appeal). Acted in a fraud claim by an investor in the context of an investment scheme in liquidation. Instructed by Addleshaw Goddard LLP.

LRH Services Ltd (in liquidation) v Trew and others [2018] EWHC 600 (Ch); [2018] All ER (D) 161 (Mar). Acted for the successful liquidators as case leader in the trial of a claim against the former directors of a company left with onerous lease liabilities following a restructuring involving the reduction of capital using the declaration of solvency procedure under s.643 Companies Act 2006 and the payment of a £21m dividend; the solvency statement and the dividend payment were held to have been invalid and the directors were held to have breached their duties to the company. Instructed by Gateley PLC.

Re FW Mason & Sons Ltd (in creditors’ voluntary liquidation); sub nom Richardson v White [2017] EWHC 1512 (Ch) – Acting for successor liquidators in a misfeasance claim against former liquidators alleged to have been deliberately overcharging the estate. Respondents consented to judgment immediately before trial. Instructed by Enyo Law LLP.

Clydesdale Bank v Stoke Place Ltd (In Administration) [2017] EWHC 181 (Ch). Acted in 3-week trial involving a successful fraud claim against a director of a company in administration involving allegations of deceit and conspiracy. Judgment obtained for £17m. Instructed by Gateley PLC.

Ian is regularly instructed in claims involving financial advisers (including issues of inappropriate portfolio selection and advice), valuers, solicitors (in particular in the context of mortgage and other financial transactions), and other professionals. He has particular experience of the application the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 in the professional negligence context.

Notable instructions include acting for a bank in a claim by a mortgagor alleging negligent valuation and sale, and acting for solicitors in relation to allegations of mortgage fraud. Ian was also recently instructed in a large-scale claim against solicitors involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, conflict of interest, and negligence in relation to the conduct of previous proceedings. A further recent case involved a substantial claim against a property developer in relation to a large-scale mortgage fraud.

Ian has litigation experience in the context of disputes in a number of offshore jurisdictions, including The Bahamas, BVI, Cayman, and the Isle of Man. He is called to the Bar of the BVI and has acted both as counsel in the BVI and as an expert witness on BVI law in US proceedings.

Notable cases include:

Harrington & Charles Trading Co Ltd & Ors v Metha & Ors (ongoing); [2024] EWHC 2674 (Ch); [2023] EWHC 307 (Ch); [2023] EWHC 998 (Ch); [2022] EWHC 1810 (Ch); [2022] EWHC 2960 (Ch). Acting for the joint liquidators of English companies in ongoing proceedings arising out of the largest alleged fraud in Indian history, involving the misappropriation of the proceeds sales of approximately $1 billion of gold bullion and jewellery via a complex network of payments routed via offshore banks and other entities; due to go to trial in April 2026.  Instructed by Hogan Lovells and Gateley PLC.

Alesayi v Bank Audi SAL [2025] EWHC 440 (KB) & [2025] EWHC 1033 (KB).  Acting for the Lebanese bank, Bank Audi, in a very substantial jurisdiction challenge in the context of a multi-million $ claim arising out of the Lebanese financial crisis. Permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal has been granted.   Instructed by Dechert LLP.

Cedar Mundi & ots v Cedar II (2025-ongoing).  Acting for an asset-holding SPV whose shareholders are the major Lebanese banks, in a complex fraud case due to go to trial in February 2026. Instructed by Dechert LLP.

Manoukian v Societe Generale de Banque au Liban SAL [2022] EWHC 669 (QB). Acting for a Lebanese Bank in claims arising out of deposits in Lebanon during the financial crisis. One of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2022. Instructed by Dechert.

Halimeda International Ltd v Sian Participation Corp (2021). Acting in liquidation proceedings in the BVI (concerning a US$221million debt) and in an English arbitration in a complex multi-jurisdictional dispute ultimately concerned with the ownership and control of a major logistics company owning, amongst other things, the port of Vladivostok. Instructed by DLA Piper LLP.

Khalifeh v Blom Bank SAL [2021] EWHC 1502 (QB). Acting for a Lebanese Bank in defending an application for an anti-suit injunction to prevent parallel proceedings in Lebanon, and in successfully defending the claims at trial. Instructed by Dechert.

​Tempo & Maxima v Fortuna (2011-2014). Litigation in Cayman and the BVI concerning a $500m development in Vietnam; the case involved claims by minority shareholders for breach of a shareholders’ agreement, and various company law claims as to the validity of key corporate resolutions. Led by Stephen Phillips QC and Richard Salter QC. Instructed by Maples & Calder in Cayman, and Watson, Farley & Williams in Hong Kong.