Ian McDonald

Ian McDonald has over 30 years of experience acting for clients in relation to complex, high stakes disputes, including matters that carry significant commercial and reputational implications.

Ian’s practice is grounded in acting for banks and other financial institutions, particularly in high-value disputes relating to loan structures, structured finance and derivatives, and in contentious insolvency matters. Over time, his practice has expanded to encompass a broad range of clients and industry sectors, with a particular focus on matters where the scale and sensitivities of the issues demand deep expertise and seasoned judgment.

Many of the disputes on which Ian advises involve cross-jurisdictional elements, large teams, and competing priorities, requiring careful coordination and strategic oversight throughout.

• Advising a global financial institution in relation to a data breach. This involved having to obtain urgent injunctive relief against persons unknown responsible for the theft of data and implementing an international process for compliance with notification and other obligations pursuant to GDPR and other relevant international standards.
• Acting for Société Générale in the English Court of Appeal, successfully reversing a first instance order providing for an inquiry as to damages arising out of the maintenance by Société Générale of freezing injunctions against various Goldas entities. Société Générale v Goldas Kuyumculuk Sanayi Ithalat Ihracat AS [2018] EWCA Civ 1093
• Acting for a global investment bank in English Commercial Court proceedings concerning single-tranche CDOs and credit default swaps, including jurisdiction challenge and related proceedings in Germany. UBS and another v Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH and others [2014] EWHC 3615
• Acting for the defendant in cross-border environmental damages class action litigation in the English High Court involving c.18,000 claimants that allege that our client has an exposure through its minority investment in the Brazilian company that owned the assets that are the subject-matter of the case. There are related proceedings in Brazil which give rise to jurisdiction and foreign law related issues.
• Advising the shirt sponsor of a Premier League football team in relation to a dispute concerning whether sponsorship payment instalments were payable under a sponsorship agreement, during the period in which the Premier League was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Acting for a major Italian bank in relation to High Court claims against a European investment banking boutique. Acting for a Spanish real estate investment fund in litigation concerning breaches of loan documentation including material adverse change and the construction of a London hotel and successful outcome after 9-week trial. Grupo Hotelero Urvasco SA v Carey Value Added SL [2013] EWHC 1039 (Comm)
• Acting for Standard Bank in respect of a claim arising from a commodities based fraud. Standard Bank Plc v Via Mat International Ltd & Anor [2013] EWCA Civ 490.
• Acting for a leading global bank in a $6 billion claim for fraudulent trading brought by the Liquidators of BCCI.

• Listed in the Hall of Fame for Banking Litigation and as a key lawyer for Financial Services. – Legal 500
• Recommended for Commercial Litigation – Legal 500
• Ian "provides the firm's clients with clear strategic direction and consistently displays exceptional judgment. … He provides excellent and thoughtful advice regarding potential litigation and during actions (where such is required). He demonstrates a thorough approach to risk and commercial attitude." - Legal 500
• Listed as a key lawyer for Fraud – Legal 500
• He is "not afraid to get into the detail of a case but also provides excellent strategic overview." – Legal 500
• Listed as a 'Leading individual' for Banking Litigation – Legal 500
• Band 4: Banking Litigation – Chambers UK
• “Ian always provides excellent advice and is very responsive. … He is excellent." Chambers UK
• "He makes sure clients go in completely aware of the risks and how to present their case in a way that makes the difference between winning and losing." – Chambers UK
• "Ian McDonald shows subtle and effective leadership. He is a highly intelligent partner, who is extremely proficient at managing large litigation. He is also a pleasure to work with." – Legal 500
• Listed under "Other key lawyers" for Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency. – Legal 500
• Ranked as a key name – Chambers UK

• University of Cambridge, Jesus College

• England and Wales

• The Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers