Ian advises in all areas of Regulatory Law, with a particular expertise on Professional Fitness to Practice cases, in addition, he is an experienced Grade A Criminal Practitioner.
Ian’s prime specialism is in Police Law with particular emphasis on Misconduct proceedings, Inquests and Inquiries. For nearly 30 years Ian was the sole appointed Solicitor for the Police Superintendents Association. He continues to represent them together with a number of Chief Constables and other Senior Commanders. His practice extends to representing all professionals facing potential Misconduct and/or Criminal proceedings including Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, Pharmacists and Teachers.
Chambers stated that he is “on all the ritzy Police cases” and is a “is tireless and indefatigable in defending his clients.” The Legal 500 described Ian as a “superb strategist and tactician”.
Ian has been involved in all cases that have shaped policing and major regulatory governance. He has represented individuals in proceedings at Inquiries and Inquests including but not limited to: - Marchioness, Stephen Lawrence, Victoria Climbie, Deepcut, Diana, Princess of Wales, Midland, Lancet, Manchester Arena, Daniel Morgan, Terrorist Attacks at Borough Market and London Bridge.
Ian successfully represented David Duckenfield, the Match Commander at Hillsborough at Preston Crown Court who faced 95 allegations of Gross Negligence Manslaughter. He further successfully represented the Senior Retired Officer in the criminal investigation into the alleged ‘cover-up’ following the Hillsborough Disaster.
Over his distinguished career, Ian has represented many professional sportspersons and sports clubs in all types of proceedings. The most recent being the successful representation of Ryan Giggs at Manchester Crown Court. He continues to advice sportspersons and agents in Criminal, Regulatory and HMRC matters. Ian represented the football agent involved in undercover operation by the Daily Telegraph which led to the resignation of Sam Alladyce as England Football Manager. He has represented cricketers in spot fixing allegations and numerous professional footballers, and/or their family members in criminal prosecutions.
Ian is presently representing a former Chairman, Director and a Premier League player in separate, high-profile HMRC investigations.
As Ian’s practice has expanded, he continues to represent business owners, Directors, and Shareholders involved in all criminal investigations. He is presently representing the Former Directors in a well-publicised Gold Bullion Money Laundering case to which NatWest were fined £250 million. He represents well known social media figures and influencers in other high profile investigations and is passionately committed not only to early outcomes but to protecting reputations of those unfortunate enough to be investigated and named.
In 2015, Ian was named Police Lawyer of the Year (CI), Criminal Lawyer of the Year (CI). Ian led his team to Regulatory Firm of the Year 2 years running at the Manchester Legal Awards 2015 and 2016 and has again been successful in 2019. Ian was named Partner of the Year by his peers at the MLA in 2020. He is proud to lead the BCR Department at JMW Solicitors.
