Profile description
Ian is, first and foremost, a trial lawyer and has a particular reputation in this aspect of his work as a tenacious opponent who always fights his client’s corner hard. Ian has an established Fast Track, Multi Track and High Court practice frequently dealing with matters worth in excess of several million pounds as well as more modest cases involving only a few thousands but which are equally important to those clients.
Ian's acts for both Claimants and Defendants and understands the realities of commercial disputes having a wide experience in business himself. He has undertaken mediation training and represents Claimants and Defendants in an ADR setting. He is fully authorised to accept direct access work and is further authorised to conduct litigation as well. Direct Access will be considered on a case by case basis but is most suited to Professional Regulatory proceedings, Appeals, Insolvency proceedings and complicated personal injury matters. Ian is also able to assist in Property matters ranging from Possession Proceedings and Housing Disrepair to Boundary Disputes.
Property, Commercial and Insolvency Litigation
Ian has a very busy property law practice and accepts instructions in relation to a wide range of litigation in this area. He is able to advise and represent both tenants and landlords in relation to housing matters such as disrepair, harrassment, anti-social behaviour, dilapidations and offers extensive experience of possession claims, repossession and other mortgage-related proceedings. In addition to his core property law practice, Ian accepts instructions to advise and represent clients in relation to disputes arising out of building and construction disputes and has appeared in the TCC on numerous occasions.
As part of a wider commercial practice, Ian regularly appears in court in relation to a range of insolvency matters from obtaining or defending Winding Up Orders to the appointment of Administrators. He will draft the various applications required and assist with witness statements and procedure. Ian also has extensive experience in partnership disputes including those between family members and he is sensitive to cultural issues that frequently affect family businesses. He deals with all manner of contractual claims, including high-value commercial disputes and debt recovery and money claims. Ian is routinely instructed to assist clients with claims involving civil fraud, misrepresentation, breaches of privacy and confidence and data protection.
Ian acts for both Claimants and Defendants in all aspects of professional negligence including allegations of under-settlement or where a claim has been struck out or lost due to alleged professional negligence by the lawyers involved. Ian has a particular interest in and experience of cases involving allegations of fraud.
Professional Regulation
Ian has extensive experience of advising and representing professionals faced with hearings before a variety of regulatory panels in a range of professional contexts, including healthcare, legal services, accounting and surveying. Ian is very happy to accept direct access work in this area, especially in relation to fitness to practice issues and appeals. Ian's expertise in the field of Professional Regulation includes:
- Advising on and responding to allegations at the investigatory stage
- Alternative disposal
- Interim order hearings
- Applications to extend interim orders in the High Court
- All types of case including misconduct, dishonesty and professional conduct
- Appeals
- Applications to restore
Ian advises and represents clients at every stage of regulatory proceedings including the investigative stage, interim order hearings, substantive hearings and appeals. He is passionate about helping dedicated professionals who have, perhaps, made mistakes but who still have much to offer the profession and the public. Ian has helped doctors, nurses dentists and physiotherapists as well as solicitors, accountants and surveyors. He has appeared before following regulatory bodies, among others: GMC, NMC, GOC, SDT, SRA and ACCA.
Ian has solid experience of matters involving the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and has been instructed on two ongoing sets of CQC proceedings in 2024 so far. His experience in this area includes:
- Disputes in relation to training and oversight from deaneries, including employment status issues
- Advice, written responses and negotiation on CQC issues (both clinical and administrative), including supervision requirements
Associations
PIBA, PNBA, ELBA, Northern Circuit Medical Law Association
