Ian Bridge works from both our London and Birmingham Chambers. He has a nationwide practice regularly appearing in courts throughout the country. He has been instructed in numerous high profile cases over the last 15 years.
Fraud - Duty Evasion – Ian was at the heart of the London City Bond litigation at first instance and as leading counsel in the Court of Appeal on behalf of John Early R v Early and Ors [2002] EWCA Crim 1904. He also represented the main Defendant in what was at the time the largest cigarette smuggling case to have been brought to trial. R v Horne.
VAT fraud – Ian has defended in a number of high profile MTIC fraud cases from the earliest prosecutions through to date. He was instructed in Operation Vitric. He is familiar with the full historical development of the MTIC fraud problem over the last 10 years. He is instructed in the first tier tax tribunal on VAT cases and has appeared in the High Court in linked civil claims brought against directors. Ian has also been instructed in VAT frauds in the building and textiles industries.
Landfill Tax fraud – Ian successfully represented one of the SFO prosecuted Defendants in R v Sampson and Ors [2007] EWCA Crim 1238.
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) fraud – Ian represented one of the Defendants in Operation Digit at the Blackfriars Crown Court – one of a number of high profile CIS fraud cases
Corporation Tax Fraud – Ian successfully represented Tim Hill who faced a multi-million pound allegetion of fraud relating to the activities of Payroll Company Safe Solutions Accounting Services Limited.
Electoral fraud - Ian was instructed in the prosecutions following local elections in the London Borough of Hackney and in Burnley, Lancashire
Serious Fraud Office Prosecutions - Ian was instructed in R v Smith and Ors the Izodia plc reverse takeover fraud. He was also instructed in R v Sykes and Ors the Cheney pension fund fraud
Investment fraud – On a number of occasions Ian has acted on behalf of those charged with fraud flowing from high yield investment schemes and boiler room investment schemes
Mail Dumping – Ian acted in what was described at the time as the biggest ever mail dumping fraud.
Money Laundering - Ian has advised and appeared in a number of high profile money laundering prosecutions acting on behalf of couriers, businesses and individual professionals.
Ian has appeared in many of the leading money laundering cases prosecuted in recent years. He successfully represented one of the principle Defendants in R v Dakers and Ors at the Kingston Crown Court. He appeared at first instance in R v Malik and Ors. He subsequently represented Malik, Ramzan and others [2006] EWCA Crim 1974 in the Court of Appeal and Ramzan on retrial. Ian was instructed on behalf of one of the co-defendants in the groundbreaking case of R v Montilla [2004] UKHL 50,
He successfully appealed the historic conviction of Mr El Kurd [2007] EWCA Crim 1888 on a reference by the CCRC (which led to a change in the law regarding the reference of historic cases by the CCRC). Mr El Kurd was acquitted on retrial. Most recently Ian Bridge was instructed in the appeal of R v Anwoir and Ors in the confiscation proceedings and in the Court of Appeal.
Accidental Death Cases - Health and Safety and Road Traffic.
Ian is regularly instructed in criminal cases in which death or serious injury is alleged to have arisen by reason of carelessness or recklessness.
He has appeared for Defendant’s facing manslaughter allegations following deaths on building sites. He is regularly instructed in fatal and serous injury health and safety prosecutions. The cases in which he has been instructed cover the full range of work place environments including mines and quarries, warehousing, schools, building sites and farms.
Ian has a particular expertise in serious and fatal road traffic accidents. He is regularly instructed on behalf of those facing allegations that they caused death driving carelessly and dangerously. He has advised in a number of cases where diabetes is alleged to have been a relevant factor.
Crime - Ian has appeared in numerous criminal cases including murder, drug dealing/importing conspiracies, Firearms offences and other substantial criminal cases.
Regulatory - Ian has a particular interest in criminal copyright issues and other regulatory criminal offences. He successfully defended one of the two charged with copyright offences flowing from the operation of the TV-Links web site.
Proceeds of Crime - Ian is regularly instructed in confiscation and other related POCA proceedings.
"Ian is very knowledgeable, hard-working, conscientious and commercial. It is a joy working with Ian."
Chambers UK 2023 (Financial Crime)
"Ian is very experienced and has a vast pool of knowledge to fall back on. He is second to none in terms of running difficult and technical arguments. He is inventive and finds novel solutions to difficult problems and issues. He is extremely good with clients and excellent at building both rapport and trust with clients."
Legal 500 2023
"He is to able master details quickly and gets to the heart of issues." "A commanding presence in the courtroom."
Chambers UK 2022 (Financial Crime)
"Unique approach to cases with a forensic eye for detail. Not afraid to push boundaries and challenge."
Legal 500 2022
“He is a fierce advocate.” “He is very sharp; clients are amazed by his ability to consume the evidence in such a short space of time.”
Chambers UK 2021 (Financial Crime)
“A fearsome cross-examiner who is incisive and razor-sharp during the trial process.”
Legal 500 2021
“His strengths are his performance in court and his ability to think around a problem and come up with good ideas.” “He tackles all type of tax work and is a tenacious advocate.”
Chambers UK 2020
Notable Cases
R v W
2007
Operation Barbatus misfeasance in public office - the Jimmy Choos case
R v A
2007
Operation Capri – MTIC fraud and money laundering at Northampton Crown Court
R v B
2008
Substantial fraud involving fraudulent applications for heavy goods vehicle operator licences
R v C
2008
Operation Digit – very substantial payroll fraud
R v H
2009
payroll tax fraud
R v B
2009
substantial long firm fraud
R v M
2009
Substantial bureau de change money laundering conspiracy
R v H
2009
Substantial conspiracy to import drugs involving undercover officer
R v S
2010
Operation Duma – substantial MTIC fraud
Memberships
POCLA (Proceeds of Crime
Lawyers Association)
HSLA (Health and Safety Lawyers Association)
CBA (Criminal Bar Association)
