Ian Felstead


Ian is a Partner in the Litigation Group

Ian advises clients on all aspects of litigation and dispute resolution. Ian specialises in commercial, media and regulatory litigation.

Ian's commercial litigation experience includes acting for PartyGaming on its dispute with Empire Online, for the BPI on its Copyright Tribunal reference regarding online music and for Video Performance Limited in relation to Copyright Tribunal references regarding music video licensing.

Ian specialism in media litigation includes advising clients on defamation, confidence/privacy, contempt, data protection, freedom of information and copyright. In particular, Ian has acted regularly in high profile libel and breach of confidence/privacy actions for both defendants and claimants. For example, Ian recently acted for The Guardian in its successful defence of a libel action brought by a multivitamin salesman in relation to articles regarding his activities in relation to HIV/AIDS patients in South Africa and in its defence of a breach of confidence action brought by Barclays Bank plc. Ian also has wide experience of dealing with pre-publication content-related matters on behalf of a variety of major publishers and broadcasters.

Ian also advises on various public law and regulatory matters. For example, he advised Post Office Limited in relation to the Network Change Programme (a national programme of sub-Post Office closures), conducted an independent investigation for ITV plc into the British Comedy Awards 2005 and acted for Wimbledon Football Club on its successful review of the refusal of the Football League to grant permission for it to relocate to Milton Keynes.

Ian has written for a variety of publications including The Guardian, The Independent, Sport Business and World Sports Law Report.