Ryan Ferro

Ryan has a broad practice in commercial litigation and international arbitration. It is predominantly international and many of Ryan’s ongoing and recent instructions involve cross-broader commercial disputes, international fraud and conflict of laws issues.

Ongoing and recent instructions include:

• Mozambique v Credit Suisse & Ors; VTBC & Ors v Mozambique: acting for the Republic of Mozambique in multiple proceedings against (among others) Credit Suisse, VTB and Privinvest concerning liabilities under US$2 billion-worth of sovereign guarantees allegedly procured by corruption. The Republic resists certain claims on the grounds of immunity under the State Immunity Act 1978. Recent judgments: [2022] EWHC 157 (Comm); [2022] EWHC 157 (Comm). Led by (variously) Joe Smouha QC, Jonathan Adkin QC, Ciaran Keller, Richard Blakeley & Charlotte Tan.
• Ryan is also acting for the Republic in a Supreme Court appeal concerning the interpretation of s 9 of the Arbitration Act 1996. Relevant judgments: [2020] EWHC 1709 (Comm); [2020] EWHC 2012 (Comm); [2022] 1 All ER (Comm) 235 (CA). Instructed by Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP. Led by (variously) Joe Smouha QC, Nathan Pillow QC & Richard Blakeley.
• Acting in various separate claims arising from alleged mis-selling of unregulated loan agreements, which the claimants allege contained ‘concealed’ derivatives. The claims include relief under the s 140A CCA ‘unfair relationship’ jurisdiction. Led by Ian Wilson QC.
• Advising a contractor as to its rights and obligations under an EPC contract relating to the regeneration of a power site. Led by Matthew Watson.
• Acting for the claimants in claims in unlawful means conspiracy, deceit and dishonest assistance/unconscionable receipt, and for rescission of agreements under FSMA 2000, s 19.
• Acting for the defendants in claims to enforce a contractual put option and corporate guarantee relating to a joint venture in the Nigerian energy market. Led by Ian Wilson QC.
• Khalifeh v Blom Bank SAL: acted for the successful defendant at trial and resisting an anti-suit injunction, in claims brought by a foreign currency depositor against a Lebanese bank: [2021] EWHC 3399 (QB); [2021] EWHC 1502 (QB). Led by Ian Wilson QC.
• Manoukian v (1) SGBL & Bank Audi (a Lawyer’s ‘Top 20’ 2022 Case): acted for the defendant banks in claims brought by a foreign currency depositor. Led by Ian Wilson QC.
• Advises on various aspects of arbitral procedure and practice, including arbitral confidentiality, challenges under ss 67-69 of the Arbitration Act 1996, the res judicata effect of arbitral awards, and recognition and enforcement claims under ss 101-103.
• Advised on potential claims arising from a bank’s withdrawal of correspondent banking services. Led by David Head QC.
• Acted for the Government of Tanzania in consolidated UNCITRAL arbitrations involving public works contracts (led by Jane Davies Evans, with Sarah Tulip and Hannah Glover).
• Acted as tribunal secrecy to Ali Malek QC, Michael Brindle QC and Alistair Schaff QC in concurrent ICC and LCIA arbitrations (involving allegations of bribery, breach of fiduciary duty and Barnes v Addy claims)
• Ryan also maintains a busy practice in the County Court, representing banks resisting PPI claims under s 140A of the CCA (or its predecessor), and litigants in smaller-scale civil applications and trials.

Ryan’s practice spans a broad range of banking and finance disputes, both in the High Court and the County Court. He regularly acts for and against banks. Many of his cases have an international aspect. His recent instructions have involved claims arising out of the Lebanese banking crisis, alleged mis-selling of financial products, and consumer claims stemming from alleged mis-selling of PPI by financial institutions.

• Mozambique v Credit Suisse & Ors; VTBC & Ors v Mozambique: acting for the Republic of Mozambique in multiple proceedings against (among others) Credit Suisse, VTB and Privinvest concerning liabilities under US$2 billion-worth of sovereign guarantees allegedly procured by corruption. The Republic resists certain claims on the grounds of immunity under the State Immunity Act 1978. Recent judgments: [2022] EWHC 157 (Comm); [2022] EWHC 157 (Comm). Led by (variously) Joe Smouha QC, Jonathan Adkin QC, Ciaran Keller, Richard Blakeley & Charlotte Tan.
• Acting in various separate claims arising from alleged mis-selling of unregulated loan agreements, which the claimants allege contained ‘concealed’ derivatives. The claims include relief under the s 140A CCA ‘unfair relationship’ jurisdiction. Led by Ian Wilson QC.
• Khalifeh v Blom Bank SAL: acted for the successful defendant at trial and resisting an anti-suit injunction, in claims brought by a foreign currency depositor against a Lebanese bank: [2021] EWHC 3399 (QB); [2021] EWHC 1502 (QB). Led by Ian Wilson QC.
• Advised on potential claims arising from a bank’s withdrawal of correspondent banking services. Led by David Head QC.
• Manoukian v (1) SGBL & Bank Audi (a Lawyer’s ‘Top 20’ 2022 Case): acted for the defendant banks in claims brought by a foreign currency depositor. Led by Ian Wilson QC.
• Ryan also maintains a busy practice in the County Court, particularly in PPI litigation and smaller-scale civil disputes, often having a banking aspect to them.

Much of Ryan’s practice involves disputes concerning allegations of fraud and fraud-based claims. He is presently instructed on fraud disputes of varying value, ranging from complex, multi-jurisdictional fraud litigation in the appellate Courts to acting unled for fraud claimants in the High Court.

• Mozambique v Credit Suisse & Ors; VTBC & Ors v Mozambique: acting for the Republic of Mozambique in multiple proceedings against (among others) Credit Suisse, VTB and Privinvest concerning liabilities under US$2 billion-worth of sovereign guarantees allegedly procured by corruption. The Republic resists certain claims on the grounds of immunity under the State Immunity Act 1978. Recent judgments: [2022] EWHC 157 (Comm); [2022] EWHC 157 (Comm). Led by (variously) Joe Smouha QC, Jonathan Adkin QC, Ciaran Keller, Richard Blakeley & Charlotte Tan.
• Acting in claims in alleged unlawful means conspiracy and deceit. Led by David Head QC.
• Acting for the claimants in claims in unlawful means conspiracy, deceit and dishonest assistance/unconscionable receipt, and for rescission of agreements under FSMA 2000, s 19.
• Acted for the receiver of a segregated account of a Bermudian Segregated Account Company in civil fraud/professional negligence claims involving the alleged misappropriation of portfolio assets by the investment manager and advisor. Led by David Head QC.
• Acted for the claimants in a fraud claim arising out of alleged sham currency transfers and investments. Led by Richard Hanke.

Ryan is instructed in bankruptcy and insolvency applications in the High Court, including bankruptcy and winding-up petitions and related applications under the IA 1986.

He recently successfully petitioned for the winding up of Re Flybe Group Ltd and advised on the voluntary strike-off of another Flybe group entity.

Ryan’s practice spans a broad range of gambling disputes in the High Court and the County Court.  He is regularly instructed on behalf of operators resisting claims brought by customers.

His current and recent instructions have involved alleged breaches of regulatory duty (under the Gambling Act 2005 and the UK Gambling Commission’s Licensing Conditions and Codes of Practice), alleged breaches of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (and its predecessor) and the alleged nullity of betting contracts, failures to prevent problem gambling and wrongful refusals to permit withdrawals of deposits and winnings.