Call 2015
“One of the very best juniors at the commercial Bar. He is incredibly clever, hardworking and a pleasure to work with - a star of the future.”
The Legal 500
Adam Collins
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3798
Click here to email
Alfie Sweeney
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 3873 6855
Click here to email
Ian Bergson has a broad civil practice, with a particular specialism in commercial litigation, civil fraud and banking matters. His practice frequently involves an international element or conflict of laws issues.
Ian is recommended as a ‘Rising Star’ in The Legal 500 for Banking & Finance, Commercial Dispute Resolution and Civil Fraud and is described as an “excellent junior”. He is also ranked as “Up & Coming” by Chambers & Partners in Banking & Finance and Commercial Dispute Resolution. Ian frequently acts as part of larger teams in heavy commercial litigation or arbitration, as well as significant Supreme Court or Court of Appeal appeals. He is equally happy working as junior counsel in a team or as sole counsel. Before transferring to the Bar, Ian was a solicitor at Linklaters LLP, qualifying in 2012.
Ian acted in the Russian aircraft litigation (c. $4 billion claim) and SKAT v Solo Capital (>£1.5 billion claim) (each in The Lawyer ‘Top Cases’ of 2024), Tchenguiz and Slater and Gordon claims (The Lawyer ‘Top Cases’ of 2018 and 2019 respectively), VTB Capital v Republic of Mozambique and ors (>$750 million claim) and Auden McKenzie v Patel (>£250 million claim). He has also acted on significant Supreme Court and Court of Appeal appeals, including the recent landmark decision in Philipp v Barclays on APP fraud and the One Step case on negotiating damages.
Philipp v Barclays Bank UK plc [2023] UKSC 25
Acting for Barclays Bank in their successful appeal to the Supreme Court concerning whether banks owe a duty of care to their customers in respect of authorised push payment fraud. The Supreme Court recast the Quincecare duty, and rationalised it by reference to agency principles (led by Patrick Goodall KC).
SKAT v Solo Capital Partners & Others
Acting for certain defendants in claims for >£1.5 billion brought by the Kingdom of Denmark relating to dividend arbitrage and cum ex trading and allegations of fraudulent withholding tax reclaim applications. The case is ongoing and is one of the largest fraud claims to have been brought in the English courts in recent years, involving up to thirty separate legal teams (led by Adam Zellick KC and as sole counsel).
Russian aircraft litigation
Acting for various War Risks insurers defending claims for c. $4 billion arising from the non-return of aircraft following the Russian invasion of Ukraine (led by David Railton KC, Simon Atrill KC and James Cutress KC). The case is one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases of 2024 and a 11.5-week trial commences in the Commercial Court in October 2024.
Law Debenture Trust Corporation plc v Ukraine
Acting for Ukraine in its defence of a claim for c. US$5 billion brought by Law Debenture Trust Corporation on behalf of the Russian Federation arising from a Eurobond issue in 2013 (led by Bankim Thanki KC, Ben Jaffey KC and Simon Atrill KC).
One Step v Morris Garner [2018] UKSC 20, [2019] A.C. 649
Acting for the successful appellants in their Supreme Court appeal in a substantial restrictive covenant dispute. The decision is a leading authority on the law of damages, concerning Wrotham Park / negotiating damages for breach of contract (led by Charles Béar KC).
Advising a leading technology company on an e-commerce dispute (as sole counsel).
Advising a leading investment bank on a claim by a fund relating to a trading platform and the provision of prime brokerage services (as sole counsel).
Advising on claims against a contractual counterparty arising out of a data breach incident (as junior counsel).
Appearing in the County Court defending a claim concerning an online marketplace (as sole counsel).
(At Linklaters) advising on civil liability issues arising following a significant data loss incident.
Regularly appearing in the County Court in claims for compensation under Regulation 261/2004 (as sole counsel).
Regularly appearing on a number of other claims against airlines alleging breach of contract, negligence and/or under the Montreal Convention (as sole counsel).
Philipp v Barclays Bank UK plc [2023] UKSC 25
Whether banks owe a duty of care to their customers in relation to APP fraud.
Elite Property Holdings Ltd v Barclays Bank Plc [2019] EWCA Civ 204
Claim in unlawful means conspiracy allegedly arising in connection with the Review.
Elite Property Holdings Ltd v Barclays Bank Plc [2018] EWCA Civ 1688, [2018] 2 BCLC 460
Whether banks owe contractual duties in the Review.
Bartels v Barclays Bank Plc [2017] EWCA Civ 1073, [2018] 1 W.L.R. 2137
Whether banks owe a duty of care to customers in relation to the Review.
Elite Property Holdings Ltd v Barclays Bank Plc [2017] EWHC 2030 (QB)
Acting for Barclays Bank plc in High Court proceedings concerning claims in the economic torts following interest rate hedging product mis-selling (led by Patrick Goodall KC).
Standard Chartered Bank v Ceylon Petroleum Corporation [2011] EWHC 1785 (Comm)
(At Linklaters) acting for the claimant bank in proceedings against a Sri-Lankan state-owned oil company for sums due under oil hedging transactions.
Acting for Barclays Bank plc unled in a permission application before the Court of Appeal in the Bartels litigation.
Acting for Barclays Bank plc following further proceedings in the Elite litigation (as sole counsel).
Acting on a substantial dispute concerning a capital guarantee scheme (as junior counsel).
Appearing in the Magistrates Court for a Bank in connection with a witness summons in criminal proceedings (as sole counsel).
Acting on various claims concerning the sale of payment protection insurance (as sole counsel).
SKAT v Solo Capital Partners & Others (led by Adam Zellick KC)
Acting for defendants in claims for >£1.5 billion brought by the Kingdom of Denmark relating to dividend arbitrage and cum ex trading and allegations of fraudulent withholding tax reclaim applications.
Successfully appeared as sole counsel on contribution and stay application: [2023] EWHC 1351 (Comm).
Auden McKenzie & Ors v Patel (led by Camilla Bingham KC)
Acting for a defendant in >£250 million claims in deceit, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of warranty following the sale of a substantial pharmaceutical business.
Acting for a company in High Court proceedings following the discovery of a fraud by a senior employee, obtaining orders for delivery up and an interim payment (as sole counsel).
J.P.Morgan v BVG
Defending a claim arising from the global financial crisis concerning the alleged mis-sale of financial products. A $200 million fraud and mis-selling claim arising out of the sale of a collateralised debt obligation.
(At Linklaters), acting for the liquidators of an insolvent Cayman Islands company advising on certain aspects of claims arising from an alleged multi-billion-dollar fraud.
One Step v Morris Garner [2018] UKSC 20, [2019] A.C. 649
Acting for the appellants in their successful Supreme Court appeal. A leading authority on the law of damages addressing Wrotham Park / negotiating damages for breach of contract (led by Charles Béar KC).
Slater & Gordon (UK) 1 Ltd v Watchstone [2019] EWHC 2371 (Comm), [2023] EWHC 1133 (Comm)
Acting for Slater & Gordon in their £637 million claim for fraud and breach of warranty against Watchstone following the sale of Watchstone’s / Quindell’s professional services division (one of The Lawyer’s ‘Top Cases’ of 2019, led by Simon Salzedo KC).
Palladian Partners LP v Republic of Argentina & Anr [2020] EWHC 1946 (Comm), [2023] EWHC 711 (Comm)
Acting for Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee of certain GDP-linked securities issued by the Republic of Argentina in relation to >€1 billion proceedings brought in the Financial List (led by Adam Zellick KC).
Idemitsu Kosan Co Ltd v Sumitomo Corp [2016] EWHC 1909 (Comm)
(During pupillage, assisting Edward Levey), defending misrepresentation claims advanced following the sale of an oil and gas business for $575 million.
Frasers Group plc v The Official Receiver and others
Acting for a trust company in substantial proceedings to set aside a settlement agreement in connection with the collapse of Debenhams (as sole counsel).
VTB Capital v Republic of Mozambique & Ors
Acting for VTB Capital in multiple proceedings in the Commercial Court arising from the so-called “hidden loans” controversy involving in excess of $2 billion of debt guaranteed by the Republic of Mozambique (with David Railton KC, Timothy Howe KC and Adam Sher).
Tchenguiz & Others v Grant Thornton & Others
Acting for the claimants in unlawful means conspiracy and malicious prosecution claims arising from an SFO investigation (12-week Commercial Court trial and one of The Lawyer’s ‘Top Cases’ of 2018, settlement reached with a related party once the case had been opened) (led by Stephen Rubin KC and Charles Béar KC).
Acting for Slater & Gordon defending a £63 million contribution claim brought following Watchstone issuance of proceedings against its advisor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (led by James Brocklebank KC).
Acting for the claimant in claims for breach of warranty following an M&A transaction, which were the subject of an Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE) process (as junior counsel).
Acting for a services company on a range of claims on the small claims track and the fast track concerning allegations of breach of contract and misrepresentation (as sole counsel).
Acting on various claims on the small claims track and the fast track concerning breach of contract and negligence (as sole counsel).
Acting for a claimant in a contractual dispute concerning allegations of bribery and misrepresentation (as sole counsel).
Acting on linked claims arising following the issuance of overlapping ICSID arbitration awards (as junior counsel).
Advising on jurisdiction issues and the availability of anti-suit relief to restrain potential proceedings in a CIS country (as sole English counsel).
(At Linklaters), defending a number of claims arising from the global financial crisis concerning the alleged mis-sale of financial products, including J.P.Morgan v BVG (a $200 million fraud and mis-selling claim arising out of the sale of a collateralised debt obligation).
(At Linklaters), acting for the liquidators of an insolvent Cayman Islands company advising on certain aspects of claims arising from an alleged multi-billion-dollar fraud.
AML Creditor Recovery Vehicle PTC v Madison Pacific Trust Ltd and others [2023] SC (Bda) 66 Civ.
Advising in relation to a challenge to the jurisdiction of the Bermudian Courts, considering various issues including the application of the Fiona Trust presumption to anti-assignment clauses (with Ben Valentin KC).
SKAT v Solo Capital Partners [2021] 1 WLR 4237, [2022] QB 772
Application of Dicey’s Rule 3.
Coward v Ambrosiadou [2019] EWHC 2105 (Comm)
Acting for the claimant, Dr Coward, in a high-value multi-jurisdictional dispute with his former wife and business partner concerning the profits of a hedge fund that they started (led by Derrick Dale KC).
WPP plc v Ghossoub [2017] EWHC 2401 (Comm)
Acting for the defendant resisting claims for an anti-suit injunction arising from the sale of a global advertising business (assisting Edward Levey KC during pupillage).
J.P.Morgan v BVG [2011] 1 W.L.R. 2087
Acting on a leading case concerning the exclusive jurisdiction provisions of the Brussels I Regulation, which was ultimately resolved by the Court of Justice of the European Union (at Linklaters).
Acting for Citta Metropolitana di Milano in a challenge to the jurisdiction of the English Court, involving issues concerning Article 31(2) of the Brussels Regulation (Recast) (led by Craig Ulyatt).
Acting on linked claims arising following the issuance of overlapping ICSID arbitration awards (as junior counsel).
Advising on jurisdiction issues and the availability of anti-suit relief to restrain potential proceedings in a CIS country (as sole English counsel).
Advising on complex choice of law issues concerning the validity of assignments (at Linklaters).
Bringing English proceedings for damages for breach of an exclusive jurisdiction agreement (at Linklaters).
In re Lehman Brothers International (Europe) [2014] AC 209
(At Linklaters) advising on various matters arising from the Lehman Brothers administration, including the Supreme Court appeal concerning the ranking of statutory liabilities that arose in connection with the Lehman Brothers Pension Scheme.
HHY Luxembourg Sarl v Barclays Bank plc [2010] EWCA Civ 1248, [2011] 1 BCLC 336
(At Linklaters) acting for a syndicate of senior lenders in a successful appeal to the Court of Appeal concerning a challenge to the debt restructuring of the European Directories group.
Acting on various winding up petitions and an application to set aside statutory demands (as sole counsel).
Acting for war risks insurers in multi-billion dollar claims brought by lessors of Russian aircraft following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions in early 2022 (led by David Railton KC, Simon Atrill KC and James Cutress KC).
Advising a claimant in respect of claims under a warranty and indemnity insurance policy (led by Ben Valentin KC).
Advising a policyholder on claims under non-payment insurance policies (as junior counsel).
(During pupillage, assisting Ben Lynch KC) advising on illegality issues arising in connection with a claim under an insurance policy.
Advising an insurance company in relation to liability and coverage issues arising from a high-profile insolvency (as junior counsel).
Acting in arbitration proceedings concerning the construction and enforcement of a settlement agreement (led by Patrick Goodall KC).
Advising on a substantial international arbitration concerning a joint investment in a telecoms business (as sole English counsel).
Acting as an arbitral assistant to the Tribunal on a Bahamian seated arbitration.
(During pupillage, assisting Ben Valentin KC) applying for a share sale order in relation to a British Virgin Islands company to satisfy a substantial ICC arbitration award.
(During pupillage, assisting Alexander Milner KC) bringing LCIA arbitration proceedings to enforce a Put Option Agreement.
(At Linklaters), advising the majority shareholder of a major CIS corporation in connection with a shareholders’ dispute.
Acting for a firm of auditors in connection with an investigation by the ICAEW (as sole counsel).
SRA v Thomas
(During pupillage, assisting Edward Levey), bringing proceedings before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in connection with fraudulent overbilling.
Acting for the claimant in a substantial claim for negligence against a firm of solicitors acting on a property transaction (as junior counsel).
(At Linklaters), advising a leading firm of auditors in connection with a professional negligence claim arising from the fraudulent diversion of assets from an offshore fund.
Acting for an individual in connection with an Ethics investigation by a sports governing body (led by Timothy Howe KC).
(During pupillage, assisting Timothy Howe KC), acting for an individual in connection with a dispute regarding their proposed admission to the board of an international sports governing body.
Chambers & Partners
The Legal 500
The trial of multi-billion dollar aviation insurance claims commenced today in the…
23 Fountain Court members are instructed in five of The Lawyer’s ‘Top…
Ben Valentin KC has successfully appeared for five corporate and individual defendants…
Adam Collins
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3798
Click here to email
Alfie Sweeney
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 3873 6855
Click here to email
Chambers & Partners
The Legal 500
Search
Menu
