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Ian Chai

Ian is a Barrister in the Class Action and Financial Litigation team.

His practice spans all aspects of commercial litigation with an emphasis on high value and high profile disputes. Ian is recommended in the Legal 500 as a “Key Lawyer” in both Commercial Litigation and Civil Fraud.

Ian read Classics at the University of Warwick and continued his studies at the University of Law (GDL and LPC), City, University of London (LLM, Distinction), and the University of Oxford, Keble College (Advanced International Advocacy)

Ian is regulated by the Bar Standards Board.

  • Upham & Others v HSBC UK Bank PLC (Eclipse Litigation) (Commercial Court, ongoing) – acting for claimant group in a £1.3 billion claim in deceit, conspiracy and dishonest assistance against HSBC for its part in structuring partnerships to invest in Disney films.
  • Investors v Clydesdale Financial Services (Barclays Partner Finance) (Business List (ChD), ongoing) – acting for a claimant group arising from the mis-selling of timeshares and pursuing claims for misrepresentation and under consumer credit legislation.
  • McGann & Others v The Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police – acting for the claimant group in a claim for misfeasance in public office arising out of the Hillsborough tragedy on 15 April 1989.
  • Khan v Burke [2023] EWHC 534 (Ch) – Ian appeared as lead counsel in the High Court, obtaining permission to appeal on an issue arising out of compliance with unless orders. This case is now cited in the White Book 2023. Ian also appeared in the High Court on the substantive appeal.
  • Lownie v Cabinet Office & other UA-2022-001422-GIA – Ian appeared in the Upper Tribunal led by Philip Coppel KC in respect of an appeal arising out of complaints made under the Freedom of Information Act for information on the Earl of Mountbatten and his family.
  • Buheiry v VistaJet Ltd [2022] EWHC 2998 (Comm) – Ian appeared in the Commercial Court, led by Tim Higginson in a claim to set aside an LCIA arbitration award.
Ian Chai awards

Credentials

  • Recommended in the Legal 500 UK 2024 for Commercial Litigation and Civil Fraud

  • City Law School Prize for best performance in Mediation and Negotiation

  • Member of the Commercial Bar Association

  • Member of Advocate (formerly known as the Bar Pro Bono Unit)

  • Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

  • Accredited Mediator Training (Society of Mediators)

  • Completed Advocate’s Pro Bono Pledge of 25 hours of pro bono work in 2023

Quotes

Ian Chai – an enquiring mind, diligent, to the point, and effective.


The Legal 500 UK 2024

Ian Chai – an enquiring mind, diligent, to the point, and effective.

The Legal 500 UK 2024

Exceptional knowledge well beyond his PQE.


The Legal 500 UK 2024

Exceptional knowledge well beyond his PQE.

The Legal 500 UK 2024

Associate Ian Chai provided valuable assistance with a very knotty company dispute. He worked tirelessly, and his dil...
The Legal 500 UK 2023

Associate Ian Chai provided valuable assistance with a very knotty company dispute. He worked tirelessly, and his diligence was helpful in ensuring the application was successful.

The Legal 500 UK 2023

Ian was my barrister on a difficult permission to appeal hearing. He worked extremely hard under a very short timefra...
Client Feedback

Ian was my barrister on a difficult permission to appeal hearing. He worked extremely hard under a very short timeframe to produce a brilliant skeleton argument and was a fearless advocate in front of the judge to achieve a successful outcome. I am very grateful for all his hard work, diligence and expertise.

Client Feedback

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Ian Chai

Barrister – Associate

Ian Chai

Ian is a Barrister in the Class Action and Financial Litigation team.

His practice spans all aspects of commercial litigation with an emphasis on high value and high profile disputes. Ian is recommended in the Legal 500 as a “Key Lawyer” in both Commercial Litigation and Civil Fraud.

Ian read Classics at the University of Warwick and continued his studies at the University of Law (GDL and LPC), City, University of London (LLM, Distinction), and the University of Oxford, Keble College (Advanced International Advocacy)

Ian is regulated by the Bar Standards Board.

Expertise

  • Class Action Litigation:  Overview
  • Litigation & Dispute Resolution:  Overview
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Arbitration
  • Civil Fraud

Experience

  • Upham & Others v HSBC UK Bank PLC (Eclipse Litigation) (Commercial Court, ongoing) – acting for claimant group in a £1.3 billion claim in deceit, conspiracy and dishonest assistance against HSBC for its part in structuring partnerships to invest in Disney films.
  • Investors v Clydesdale Financial Services (Barclays Partner Finance) (Business List (ChD), ongoing) – acting for a claimant group arising from the mis-selling of timeshares and pursuing claims for misrepresentation and under consumer credit legislation.
  • McGann & Others v The Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police – acting for the claimant group in a claim for misfeasance in public office arising out of the Hillsborough tragedy on 15 April 1989.
  • Khan v Burke [2023] EWHC 534 (Ch) – Ian appeared as lead counsel in the High Court, obtaining permission to appeal on an issue arising out of compliance with unless orders. This case is now cited in the White Book 2023. Ian also appeared in the High Court on the substantive appeal.
  • Lownie v Cabinet Office & other UA-2022-001422-GIA – Ian appeared in the Upper Tribunal led by Philip Coppel KC in respect of an appeal arising out of complaints made under the Freedom of Information Act for information on the Earl of Mountbatten and his family.
  • Buheiry v VistaJet Ltd [2022] EWHC 2998 (Comm) – Ian appeared in the Commercial Court, led by Tim Higginson in a claim to set aside an LCIA arbitration award.

Credentials

  • Recommended in the Legal 500 UK 2024 for Commercial Litigation and Civil Fraud

  • City Law School Prize for best performance in Mediation and Negotiation

  • Member of the Commercial Bar Association

  • Member of Advocate (formerly known as the Bar Pro Bono Unit)

  • Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

  • Accredited Mediator Training (Society of Mediators)

  • Completed Advocate’s Pro Bono Pledge of 25 hours of pro bono work in 2023

Contact

Telephone:
+44 20 3974 8150

Email:
ian.chai@edwincoe.com

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