Frank Ryan

As well as undertaking general commercial litigation, his particular expertise includes: 

• Professional negligence and professional misconduct claims and issues (including solicitors, barristers, accountants, surveyors, architects, insurance brokers) 

• Joint venture and shareholder disputes, including “minority prejudice” claims 

• Misuse of confidential information 

• Enforcement of restrictive covenants (employees, agents, distributors) 

• Partnership disputes and partner exits 

• Intellectual property (copyright, passing off, trademarks) 

• Public procurement disputes, most notably in the provision of services to NHS Trusts 

• Commercial property disputes, including contested business lease renewals and rent review disputes 

• Cross-border issues 

• Pre-trial injunctions and enforcement processes 

• Contentious probate claims 

• Acting for and against schools 

• Sexual harassment claims 

• Race discrimination and disability claims 

Career

Frank has extensive experience acting for clients in commercial and civil disputes, principally in the Senior Courts, as well as all forms of alternative dispute resolution. His clients cover a broad spectrum, from quoted and private multinational companies through to SMEs and high net worth individuals. He also regularly advises and acts for employers, senior executives, directors and shareholders in disputes and issues arising in employment, including: 

• Disciplinary issues 

• Matters arising from the sale and reorganisation of business and competitive tendering changes 

• Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE) 

• Multiple redundancies 

• Disputes in foreign jurisdictions (including Hong Kong, China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, France and Belgium) where the contract is governed by English law 

Although Frank has predominantly acted for SMEs, public companies and their owners, he has also frequently acted for individuals ensuring outcomes that have made a real difference to their lives.  

Frank has also acted for employees in various high-profile sexual harassment and race discrimination claims, as well as primarily (but not exclusively) for claimants in professional liability claims. He has also acted in fatal accident cases at the request of the deceased’s family. 

For further insight into what makes Frank such a highly respected litigation lawyer, please see his feature length profile interview. 

REPORTED CASES  

• Inquests into the deaths of Yves Marie Gloaguen and Pascal Le Floch arising from the loss of the vessel Bugaled Breizh on 15 January 2004 
• Domestic and General Insurance Plc v HomeShield Direct Ltd [2021] 4 WLUK 278 
• FRB v DCA [2019] EWHC 2816 (Fam)
• Roneleigh Limited v MII Exports Inc [1989] 1 WLR 619 
• Brett v Brett Essex Golf Club [1986] 278 EG 1476

Press & publications

Frank’s opinion and commentary on his areas of expertise has been sought out by numerous media outlets. Frank has featured on Channel 4 News and the BBC News website to discuss the Uber employment case.  

Most recently, Frank spoke to Nick Robinson on Radio 4’s Today programme in connection with the three-week inquest into the sinking of the French trawler, “Bugaled Breizh”. He also received coverage in the Guardian, as well as various other publications. Frank was instructed by the French lawyer for the families of the deceased trawler men and sought to assist in achieving a final resolution for the families to this tragic matter. Frank, together with Counsel, acted pro bono on this matter.   

EDUCATION

Frank read Law with French at Manchester Metropolitan University. 

PERSONAL

Frank’s interests include travel, music, and Chinese and Islamic art and ceramics.