Ryan Byrne specialises in commercial litigation, and acts for financial institutions and corporates on complex, high-value and strategically significant disputes. He has particular expertise in group litigation, class actions and competition litigation, and experience of contentious regulatory matters.
Commercial Litigation
- Representing Link Fund Solutions Limited in group claims brought by thousands of investors in the Woodford Equity Income Fund, including the related scheme of arrangement, insurance, corporate and restructuring matters.
- Advising a FTSE-listed company in respect of shareholder claims under sections 90 and 90A FSMA 2000.
- Advising a payment services firm on allegations of breach of a Quincecare duty of care.
- Representing a high net worth individual in Commercial Court proceedings relating to the valuation of shares and unpaid dividends in a Middle Eastern advertising and media business.
- Representing a high net worth individual in Commercial Court proceedings relating to a shareholder dispute concerning a joint venture holding valuable real estate in Russia.
- Advising Kaupthing on Commercial Court proceedings brought by Robert Tchenguiz arising from the Icelandic banking crisis.
- Representing Apax Partners in High Court proceedings brought by the Joint Liquidators of Hellas Telecommunications under section 423 IA 1986.
- Representing News Group Newspapers in the High Court phone hacking litigation.
Competition Litigation
- Representing EE in the High Court and Court of Appeal in claims brought by the Joint Administrators of Phones 4U alleging breaches of Article 101/Chapter I and contractual duties of good faith.
- Representing Barclays in claims brought by the US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on behalf of a large number of closed US banks alleging breaches of Article 101/Chapter I arising from the alleged manipulation of USD LIBOR.
- Advising various businesses on potential competition law disputes and compliance issues.
Contentious Regulatory
- Representing a Premier League football club in disciplinary proceedings relating to alleged breaches of the Premier League rules.
- Representing Link Fund Solutions Limited in the Financial Conduct Authority’s investigation into the collapse of the Woodford Equity Income Fund.
- Advising various firms in the financial services sector on regulatory investigations involving the Financial Conduct Authority.
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, London
- +44 207006 2142
- Email me
- Speaks English
- Practice area Litigation, dispute resolution & risk management
Career & qualifications
- University of Bristol (LLB) 2015
- Joined Clifford Chance 2016
- Seconded to Barclays Funds & Investment Management 2017
- Seconded to the Chancery Division of the High Court (Judicial Assistant) 2017
- Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 2018
- Solicitor-Advocate 2021
Professional bodies
- Member of the Financial Services Lawyers Association (FSLA)
Awards and citations
- Competition & Regulatory Team of the Year at the Lawyer Awards 2024