
Ian Wilson QC
Call: 1995 | Silk: 2018
Practice Overview
Ian Wilson QC is an experienced commercial litigator, specialising in banking and finance (including consumer credit), financial services and regulation, commercial fraud, insurance, insolvency and restructuring and general commercial litigation and arbitration. He has a strong reputation as a trial advocate and cross-examiner, as well as for his advisory work. He acts principally for banks, insurance companies, financial institutions and insolvency practitioners and has wide experience of financial mis-selling claims and litigation involving fraud and unfair relationship allegations. He has appeared in a number of leading cases, including Paragon Finance v Plevin in the Supreme Court. As well as practicing in this jurisdiction, Ian has also been called to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the Eastern Caribbean (BVI).
Ian is consistently rated in the directories as being a leading silk in his core fields of practice: Banking and Finance, Financial Services, and Insolvency and Restructuring. The directories describe Ian in the following terms:
- “Quite simply a superb advocate, watching him in court is a real privilege” (Legal 500 2021).
- “An excellent technical lawyer and an impressive advocate as well as being exceptionally adept at managing clients” (Legal 500 2021).
- "A great practitioner who is building a stellar practice” (Legal 500 2020).
- “He has incredible clarity of thought that is translated concisely into his submissions” (Legal 500 2020).
- "Super client-friendly and an incredibly capable advocate for complex and challenging matters… one of the most collaborative QCs to work with and provides very pragmatic, sensible advice" (Chambers & Partners 2020).
- “Superb in terms of his technical written ability and oral performance at hearings. He also has a great rapport with clients. … A go-to for anything involving banking or financial services, he writes great skeleton arguments that grab the reader by the throat in the first paragraph. He’s a very measured advocate and clients really like him as he’s very responsible and sensible” (Chambers & Partners 2019).
- “Brilliant, both in terms of his drafting and advocacy” (Legal 500 2016).
Ian is a co-author of Paget’s Law of Banking (chapters on Unauthorised Payments, Restitution, Proprietary Claims, and Tracing), the author of the banking chapter in Bullen & Leake and the sub- editor of the banking and finance section.
Beyond his legal practice, Ian is a pianist and organist (playing to a professional standard), an Associate of the Royal College of Music, and a governor of St Paul’s Cathedral School.
Banking & Finance
Ian regularly acts for banks and financial institutions, and has extensive experience of banking litigation, including guarantees and securities, investment management, and 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, 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 section 140A of the Consumer Credit Act 1974) before Supreme Court, and was involved in the large-scale litigation against the financial industry by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme for recoupment of compensation paid to PPI customers.
Recent instructions include:
- Acting for banks in numerous swaps/derivatives mis-selling claims, including consequential loss claims.
- Advising lenders and platform-providers in relation to legal and regulatory aspects of crowd- funding and peer-to-peer lending.
- Acting in large-scale proceedings between insurers, retailers and other intermediaries in relation to the recoupment of PPI redress payments.
Ian is a co-author of Paget’s Law of Banking (chapters on Unauthorised Payments, Restitution, Proprietary Claims, and Tracing) and the author of the banking chapter and sub-editor of the banking and finance section in Bullen & Leake.
Notable cases include:
Tillman v Lloyds Bank & Better Capital (Commercial Court, ongoing). 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.
Ward v Clydesdale Bank Plc [2021] EWHC 1942 (Comm). Acting for Clydesdale Bank in a substantial (£50m) action involving alleged breaches of statutory, tortious and contractual duties, and an unfair relationship claim, concerning the claimant partnership’s property business and their entry into swaps and tailored business loan (TBL) products with the defendant bank. Instructed by DLA Piper.
Khalifeh v Blom Bank SAL [2021] EWHC 1502 (QB). Acting for a Lebanese Bank in ongoing proceedings concerning substantial US$ deposits in Lebanon and involving an application for an anti-suit injunction. Instructed by Dechert.
889 Trading Ltd v Clydesdale Bank Plc [2021] EWHC EWHC 850 (Ch). Acting for the Bank in a successful strike out application of a fraud claim on abuse of process grounds.
Farol & Ors v Clydesdale Bank & National Australia Bank (Ongoing). Acting for Clydesdale Bank in claims presented by the Claimants as a test case (for potentially thousands of other claims) to determine whether the bank was entitled to charge break costs upon the early termination of its fixed rate tailored business loan product. Instructed by DLA Piper.
Ward v Clydesdale Bank plc (2019 – ongoing) – instructed on behalf of the bank in relation to alleged breaches of statutory, tortious and contractual duties, and an unfair relationship claim, concerning the claimant partnership’s (at one time) £50m property business and their entry into swaps and tailored business loan (TBL) products with the defendant bank.
Glare v Clydesdale Bank (2020) – Acted for the bank in a successful application to strike out a mis- selling claim on res judicata and other grounds. Instructed by DLA Piper LLP.
Chudley v Clydesdale Bank plc [2019] 3 WLR 661; [2019] 2 All ER (Comm) 293 – Court of Appeal; acted for the bank as case leader in defending a fraud claim against it by an investor in failed investment scheme; the Court of Appeal decision is a now a leading authority on the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. Instructed by Addleshaw Goddard LLP.
Cunningham v Ellis & Bank of Scotland Plc [2018] EWHC 3188 (Comm) – Commercial Court fraud/conspiracy claim against the bank successfully struck out on grounds of inadequacy of pleading, limitation and reflective loss. Instructed by DLA Piper LLP.
Clydesdale Bank plc v Stoke Place Ltd [2017] EWHC 181 (Ch) – Acted for the bank 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 – Successfully defended the first fixed interest rate loan mis-selling claim to come to trial in England. See also Finch v Lloyds [2016] EWHC 1077 (Ch) (HHJ Bird) – Application to adduce expert evidence successfully resisted. Instructed by TLT.
Financial Services Compensation Scheme v FirstPlus Financial Group & others (2016 – 2018) – Acting for a lending group in a claim by the FSCS 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.
Bank of Scotland plc v Waugh [2014] EWHC 2117 (Ch); & (No 2) [2014] EWHC 2835 (Ch) – Acted for the Bank of Scotland in a case which dealt with the extent to which the doctrine of estoppel may prevent a mortgagor contending that the mortgage has not been executed as a legal charge. Instructed by Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP.
USA v Abacha [2014] Lloyd’s Rep FC 392; [2014] EWHC 993 (Comm) – Acted for Standard Bank in an application for injunctive relief in support of proceedings in the USA to recover funds misappropriated by former President of Nigeria, General Abacha. Instructed by MacFarlanes LLP.
Platform Funding v Persimmon Homes (2014) – Acted for a mortgage lender in a claim involving multiple properties that developers had wrongfully caused surveyors’ valuations to be inflated to procure lending above true values. Case settled just before trial. Instructed by Dentons UKMEA LLP.
Dunbar Assets plc v Dorcas Holdings Ltd [2013] EWCA Civ 864 – Appeared before the Court of Appeal in a case considering the consequences of a procedural irregularity in the context of a claim for possession of a property standing as security for a £5m debt. Instructed by DLA Piper LLP.
WestLB v Nomura plc [2012] EWCA Civ 495; [2012] All ER (D) 116 (Apr) – Acted for WestLB; the Calculation Agent was found to have acted irrationally in attributing a nil value to the reference fund of $26 million redeemable Notes. Instructed by Macfarlanes LLP.
Rahman v HSBC Bank plc [2012] EWHC 11 (Ch); [2012] All ER (D) 131 – Acted for HSBC in a two- week trial of a £15.5m claim for recovery of commercial loans involving issues under section 140A Consumer Credit Act 1974. Instructed by DLA Piper LLP.
Swotbooks Ltd v Royal Bank of Scotland plc [2011] EWHC 2025 (QB) – Issue of whether the documents presented under a UPC500 letter of credit were discrepant.
Black Horse v Speak [2010] EWHC 1866 (QB) – Leading case on payment protection insurance and related enforcement issues; raised issues under the Consumer Credit (Total Charge for Credit) Regulations 1980.
Spencer v Barclays Bank [2009] All ER (D) 61 – Strike out of a claim by a company director and shareholder on “reflective loss” grounds.
Wilson v Barclays Bank (Lawtel, 14 Dec 07) – Successfully defended a substantial damages claim arising out of an alleged failure to establish an electronic payment facility.
ST Microelectronics NV v. Condor [2006] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 525 – Acted for the beneficiary of a trade guarantee in a Commercial Court claim against the guarantor.
Paragon Finance plc v. Pender [2005] 1 WLR 3412 – Court of Appeal test case on the effects of mortgage securitisation, discretionary interest rates and extortionate credit bargains.
Oyston v. Royal Bank of Scotland (2003) – Defended the bank at the 4-week trial of a multi-million pound breach of mandate claim brought by Owen Oyston.
Lloyds Bank v. Shorney [2002] 1 FLR 81; [2002] 1 FCR 673 – Acted for the bank in this Court of Appeal decision considering the extent of the duty of disclosure and the doctrine of material alteration in relation to a bank guarantee.
PT Bank Negara Indonesia v IBL Trading Ltd [2002] EWHC 2493 (QB) – Acted for the bank in his claim for the recovery of assets subject to a proprietary claim.
Pearce v. Lloyds TSB Bank [2001] EWCA Civ 1907 – Acted for the bank in this Court of Appeal decision on the nature and extent of the defence of change of position in the context of a mistaken bank credit.
Civil Fraud
Ian has been involved in numerous large-scale commercial fraud cases. He has considerable expertise in fraud recovery actions, asset tracing, injunctive relief, contempt of court and multi-jurisdictional proceedings.
Most recently, he was instructed as lead counsel 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.
He also acted for the shipbrokers, Clarksons, in the Fiona Trust v Privalov litigation, which culminated in a 6-month trial in the Commercial Court, and was invovled in a substantial fraud claim by mortgage lenders against a property developer, a fraud trial by a bank against a company director who conspired to defraud the bank of £17m, and a fraud claim against a bank alleged to have facilitated a large-scale investment scheme fraud.
Ian also has very considerable experience in a broad range of contractual and commercial disputes.
Notable cases include:
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 pending a High Court 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 & ots [2010] EWHC 3199; [2011] All ER (D) 73 (Andrew Smith J). [2010] EWHC 3199; [2011] All ER (D) 73 – Very substantial Commercial Court proceedings 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 led by John Odgers QC.
Fiona Trust & Holding Corp v Privalov & ots [2011] EWHC 1312; [2011] All ER (D) 187 – Supplemental judgment dealing with costs and other consequential issues, including contribution proceedings.
Fiona Trust & Holding Corp v Privalov & ots [2011] EWCA 1316 – Permission to appeal granted on certain (limited) issues.
Re Highfield Distribution (2008-2014) – Acted for the successful liquidators (Grant Thornton) in misfeasance and asset recover proceedings against a former company director in a case involving the misappropriation of assets and wrongful post-winding up trading; the case has involved various injunctions (including freezing injunctions), civil restraint orders, trials for the determination of beneficial interests and numerous appeals.
Pipavav v Setaf (June 2009) – Application to prevent allegedly fraudulent claim for payment under a refund guarantee. Instructed by Holman Fenwick & Willan.
UK Aid Ltd v Mitchell & ots [2007] EWHC 1052 (Ch) – Acted for KPMG liquidators in claims against directors for misappropriation and diversion of company assets. Successfully obtained summary judgment (David Richards J). The case also involved asset tracing and freezing orders across multiple jurisdictions including Spain, Switzerland, Andorra, Gibraltar, the BVI and the Bahamas. Instructed by Addleshaw Goddard LLP.
UK Aid Ltd v Mitchell & ots [2007] EWHC 1940 (Ch) – Successfully obtained a committal order against one of the company’s former directors.
HSBC v 5th Avenue Partners Ltd, Michael Brown & ots (2006) – Acting for investors in a very substantial claim brought by HSBC in respect of the fraudulent misappropriation of the investors’ funds. Led by Gregory Mitchell QC. Instructed by Goodman Derrick.
Cantrade Privatbank AG v Fortis Fund Services (Bahamas) Ltd (2004) (part of the Oracle Litigation). Acting for a Swiss bank in relation to proceedings in the Bahamas arising from the liquidation of the Oracle Fund. Led by Stephen Phillips QC and Robert Hildyard QC. Instructed by Holman Fenwick & Willan.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
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. Among other large-scale commercial litigation cases, he acted for the shipbrokers Clarksons in the Fiona Trust v Privalov litigation, which culminated in a 6-month trial in the Commercial Court. He has also been involved in a substantial fraud claim by mortgage lenders against a property developer.
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 proceedings 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 nine month trial led by John Odgers QC.
Fiona Trust & Holding Corp v Privalov & ots [2011] EWHC 1312; [2011] All ER (D) 187 – Supplemental judgment dealing with costs and other consequential issues, including contribution proceedings.
Fiona Trust & Holding Corp v Privalov & ots [2011] EWCA 1316 – Permission to appeal granted on certain (limited) issues.
Re Highfield Distribution (2008-2014) – High Court litigation against a former company director for misappropriation and wrongfully continuing to trade post-winding up. Acted successfully for the liquidators (Grant Thornton) in section 212 misfeasance proceeding, and in obtaining various enforcement orders.
Pipavav v Setaf (June 2009) – Application to prevent allegedly fraudulent claim for payment under a refund guarantee. Instructed by Holman Fenwick & Willan.
UK Aid Ltd v Mitchell & ots [2007] EWHC 1052 (Ch) – Acting for KPMG liquidators in claims against directors for misappropriation and diversion of company assets. Successfully obtained summary judgment (David Richards J). The case also involved asset tracing and freezing orders across multiple jurisdictions including Spain, Switzerland, Andorra, Gibraltar, the BVI and the Bahamas. Instructed by Addleshaw Goddard.
UK Aid Ltd v Mitchell & ots [2007] EWHC 1940 (Ch) – Successfully obtained a committal order against one of the company’s former directors.
HSBC v 5th Avenue Partners Ltd, Michael Brown & ots (2006) – Acting for investors in a very substantial claim brought by HSBC in respect of the fraudulent misappropriation of the investors’ funds. Led by Gregory Mitchell QC. Instructed by Goodman Derrick.
Cantrade Privatbank AG v Fortis Fund Services (Bahamas) Ltd (2004) (part of the Oracle Litigation)
Acting for a Swiss bank in relation to proceedings in the Bahamas arising from the liquidation of the Oracle Fund. Led by Stephen Phillips QC and Robert Hildyard QC. Instructed by Holman Fenwick & Willan.
Energy & Natural Resources
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 a dispute arising out of a sale and purchase agreement concerning the acquisition of a company established for the purposes of obtaining OFGEM accreditation for renewable energy production.
Insolvency & Restructuring
Ian is top ranked in the Legal 500 (2018-2019) in the field of Insolvency & Restructuring. He is regularly instructed by liquidators, administrators, trustees and receivers, as well as creditor groups, 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 liquidators in a misfeasance/breach of fiduciary duty claim against a former administrator 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.
- Acting for liquidators in a claim against former office holder for fraudulent overcharging and misappropriation.
Recent cases:
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 company director of a company in administration involving allegations of deceit and conspiracy. Judgment obtained for £17m. Instructed by Gateley PLC.
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.
Re Highfield Distribution (2008-2014) – Acted for the successful liquidators (Grant Thornton) in misfeasance and asset recover proceedings against a former company director in a case involving the misappropriation of assets and wrongful post-winding up trading; the case has involved various injunctions (including freezing injunctions), civil restraint orders, trials for the determination of beneficial interests and numerous appeals.
Spencer v Barclays Bank [2009] All ER (D) 61 – Strike out of a claim by a company director and shareholder on “reflective loss” grounds.
UK Aid Ltd v Mitchell & ots [2007] EWHC 1052 (Ch) – Acting for KPMG liquidators in claims against directors for misappropriation and diversion of company assets. Successfully obtained summary judgment (David Richards J). The case also involved asset tracing and freezing orders across multiple jurisdictions including Spain, Switzerland, Andorra, Gibraltar, the BVI and the Bahamas. Led by Stephen Phillips QC. Instructed by Addleshaw Goddard LLP.
Re Mawdley’s [2007] EWHC 501 (Ch) – Construction issues arising following the conclusion of a sale and purchase agreement.
Joiner v Robinson & ots [2002] EWHC 90 – Directors’ personal liability for wrongful detention of goods, in the context of competing insolvency claims between former co-directors.
Joiner v Robinson & ots [2002] EWCA Civ 160 – Court of Appeal decision dealing with share valuation issues.
Professional Negligence
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.
Recent 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.
Offshore
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.
Notable cases include:
Sian Participation Corp v Halimeda International Ltd (2021) – Liquidation proceedings in the BVI concerning the enforcement of a £1 billion corporate debt in the context of an alleged ‘corporate raid’ concerning strategic assets in Russia.
Henderson v Alico & others (2016) – Isle of Man litigation concerning the deduction of allegedly unlawful commissions from a substantial investment fund held in the form of insurance bonds.
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. Instructed by Maples & Calder in Cayman, and Watson, Farley & Williams in Hong Kong.
Cantrade Privatbank AG v Fortis Fund Services (Bahamas) Ltd (2004) (part of the Oracle Litigation). Acting for a Swiss bank in relation to proceedings in the Bahamas arising from the liquidation of the Oracle Fund.