Ian Weinstein

White Collar Defence, Investigations & Compliance

Contentious Regulatory

Ian Weinstein is partner in the firm’s White Collar Defence, Investigations & Compliance Practice Group. He is based in London and leads our Band 1 ranked Contentious Regulatory team.

Ian specialises in representing individuals and corporations in regulatory matters, especially where there is a contentious focus. Much of Ian’s practice involves the financial services sector but he also has considerable experience of challenging other regulators, including in the courts.

Ian also advises clients on how best to engage with regulators to avoid enforcement action being taken. He has helped a number of clients to prevent intense supervisory attention turning into something more problematic. He also assisted clients to contest VREQs and other restriction sought by the regulators.

Ian is a co-author of the leading book on FCA Enforcement action against individuals – ‘FCA Enforcement: Misconduct and Lack of Fitness and Propriety’.

Examples of Ian’s work include acting for:

The former CEO of a major UK bank in relation to a joint PRA and FCA investigation into the collapse of the bank during the financial crisis;

A large retail bank in relation to the FCA's investigation into its handling of customer complaints;

the CEO of a significant insurance institution in relation to a multi-year Lloyd’s of London investigation concerning non-financial misconduct;

An individual in relation to a FRC investigation concerning the insolvency of a large institution;

A leading lender trade association (the Finance & Leasing Association) in relation to the industry’s response to motor finance commission issues;

A hedge fund in relation to a FCA market abuse investigation;

An AIM listed company in relation to the discovery of a major fraud and the resulting internal and FCA investigations; and

GB news in its successful judicial review of Ofcom, the first time that Ofcom has lost a judicial review concerning the Broadcasting Code.