Ian S Baker
My area of expertise is commercial disputes often in professional and financial services fields, professional negligence, and commercial fraud
In addition I have a great deal of experience in achieving successful resolutions in minority shareholder actions, unfair prejudice claims and derivative shareholder suits, as well as a broad range of commercial and contractual disputes.
I regularly advise clients in multi-party and multi-jurisdictional high-value, high profile, complex civil and commercial litigation. I’ve represented many clients in contractual claims disputes, breach of trust, undue influence, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and professional negligence. And I’ve handled a variety of claims against insurance companies and banks.
When necessary I’ve taken many significant cases to trial, with extremely successful outcomes. I also have appellate experience through representing clients in the Court of Appeal. And I have extensive experience of international arbitration and mediation.
I have been listed at The American Embassy as an American qualified attorney, based in the UK, who can represent American individuals and companies in this country.
Career history
After graduating from The School of Law at The University of East Anglia in 1982, I was admitted as a solicitor.
Fascinated by American law and culture, I moved to California where I qualified as an Attorney at Law in 1987. I practiced in the litigation department of a major firm in Los Angeles for three years. As a result I have built strong connections with leading lawyers in various states including New York, Florida and Colorado, as well as California.
After returning to the UK I formed a partnership in a West End firm, practicing in the litigation department for many years before forming my own specialist commercial Litigation City Law firm, PGB Gitlin Baker. That law firm was dedicated to a specialist, different, and better way of legal practice in the business dispute field, often taking on the larger London firms successfully in high profile and larger more complex cases.
PGB Gitlin Baker was subsequently acquired by another firm, and Ian has now moved his practice to Streathers with a number of long standing clients.
Over the years I have appeared on BBC TV, Sky TV, Channel 4 and other media outlets as a specialist commentator on UK and US legal affairs.
Some of Ian’s Notable cases
- Khakshouri v Cash and Jimenez: Ian acted for the Claimant, an LA based property developer, obtaining judgment in his favour for over £3m plus costs after a fiercely defended trial, in a claim for fraudulent misrepresentation arising out of a loan made to Charlton Athletic FC. The Defendants were represented by Herbert Smith Freehills and Quinn Emanuel Urqhuart and Sullivan. The case received widespread publicity in the press and various legal journals and online publications; citation [2017] EWHC 3392 (QB).
Further reading: Khakshouri v Jimenez and Cash – a court case that shone a light on modern football | Charlton Athletic | The Guardian
- Phillips v Sec of State for Transport: Ingenuous use of Human Rights Act in a commercial case; acting for the Claimant, a professional cherished number plate dealer whose plates had been confiscated by the DVLA, we utilised the HRA to successfully claim deprivation of property rights and obtain a monetary settlement. Claim settled.
Further reading:
- Naibu v Pinsent Masons: Ian acted for Naibu Global International Co PLC, (Naibu Jersey), incorporated in Jersey as a holding company specifically for an AIM floatation, and Naibu HK International Investment Ltd (Naibu HK) which in turn wholly owned an operating business in PRC, Naibu (China) Co Ltd (Naibu China).
Naibu Jersey was floated on AIM on 30th March 2012 and de-listed on 9 Jan 2015. It had a 100% subsidiary, Naibu Hong Kong which in turn owned 100% of the real business, Naibu China. This Company was the tenth largest manufacturer/retailer of sports footwear in the PRC at the time of float on AIM. It had been built up over several years as a private family company.
The company crashed when the CEO fled with the Company seal. The AIM listed holding Company delisted as a result with a total loss for investors
Proceedings for professional negligence were brought in March 2018 in the High Court of Justice Business and Property Courts Chancery Division Business List Claim No 2018-BL-000734 for Naibu Jersey and Naibu HK against the Nominated advisers and the legal firm who acted on the float.
Further reading: Global Arbitration Review – Pinsent Masons knocks out bulk of negligence suit.
Pinsent Masons and Daniel Stewart & Co sued over London IPO of Chinese firm – Londoner News
- Sandhu v Farooqui: Right to occupy a property under terms of an implied Licence was terminated when the basis for occupation contemplated by the parties was no longer capable of being fulfilled. Case settled after Court of Appeal judgment.
Further reading:
SANDHU & ANOR v FAROOQUI (2003) | Lccsa
- A v M (Av M No 2 and A v M No 3): Whilst essentially financial remedies action pursuant to a divorce, it centred on how to treat carried interest entitlements in private equity.
Further reading:
A v M [2021] EWFC 89 (05 November 2021) (bailii.org)
“I have always found Ian’s services to be of the highest calibre, and I value his astute advice, efficiency, and practical problem solving approach.”
Jeremy Coller, CEO Coller Capital
“I have referred several clients to Ian over the years. They have all been impressed by his acumen, service and ability, and especially his on the ground experience in court. I would not hesitate to recommend Ian’s services in contentious business matters, and in the dispute resolution field”.
Matthew Hudson, Senior Partner, MJ Hudson LLP
“Over the years, Ian has instructed me on several substantial matters including complex and multi-million dollar commercial litigation with an international element. I have always found his services to be of the highest quality. His attention to detail, knowledge and the energy he brought to those cases, was first rate. It is always a pleasure to work with him. I would not hesitate to recommend him.”
Peter Irvin, Barrister Brick Court Chambers
