Ian joined the firm in 1999 and is a Partner of Hassans’ Corporate and Commercial Team. He is experienced in transactional work involving the use of Gibraltar-based structures, principally for commercial property investments, and also regularly advises on corporate restructuring, acquisition, sales, joint ventures and financing (institutional and private equity). Ian also has particular expertise in advising professional corporate service providers on directors’ duties and responsibilities, including in the context of shareholders’ disputes, and is regularly appointed to act as an expert in litigation matters involving Gibraltar company law.

Ian led the Hassans team that advised the Government of Gibraltar on the drafting of the Companies Act 2014, set up Gibraltar’s first Foundation under the Private Foundations Act 2017 and advised on the corporate and commercial matters involved in the first listing of a Gibraltar company in the top 100 of the London Stock Exchange. His diverse practice has also led him to act on the purchase of the business of a distressed crystal and porcelain manufacturer, the purchase of a children’s TV channel for a major international news group, the purchase and refinancing of two Gibraltar shopping centres and a retirement homes complex, franchising work for major UK and US retail outlets (including for a major internet-based retailer) and corporate work for a listed Gibraltar port waste management operator.

Ian is Hassans’ Lead Partner for the Gibraltar Football Association, and advises the GFA on a wide range of legal matters, including corporate governance, protection of intellectual property and its purchase of the Victoria Stadium. He has chaired the GFA’s Disciplinary Panel, a role he has also carried out for the Gibraltar Hockey Association. Ian is the Vice-President of the Gibraltar national basketball federation and has been a FIBA international basketball referee for 8 years, officiating in 5 European Nations finals.

Ian was the Chief Executive of Line Group, Hassans’ affiliated trust and corporate services provider, from 2012 to 2016, and remains on its Board.

An LLB (Hons) graduate of the University of Nottingham, Ian completed his Bar Vocational Course at the Inns of Court School of Law in London. A member of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, Ian was Called to the Bar in England and Wales, and in Gibraltar, in 1999. He was also Admitted to the Bar in the British Virgin Islands in 2010. He teaches the Company Law modules at the University of Gibraltar for the Professional Certificate of Competence in Gibraltar Law and regularly lectures and publishes internationally.

Legal Directory Rankings 

Ian has for several years been consistently ranked by Chambers & Partners Global, Chambers & Partners Europe and by Legal 500 EMEA as a “Leading Lawyer” for Corporate & Commercial.