Ian is a Partner in the Byrne Wallace Shields LLP Litigation and Regulation team.
He advises domestic and international businesses on the resolution of complex commercial disputes.
Ian has extensive experience of managing large-scale litigation, typically before the commercial division of the High Court.
He also advises clients in mediation, adjudication and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
Before returning to Ireland, Ian practised in London for almost a decade where he developed a deep understanding of the London insurance markets.
Key Experience
- Leading a team of lawyers acting for a global aviation insurer in the Russian aircraft insurance litigation brought by various global aviation lessors. This high-profile litigation was the largest dispute ever to come before the Irish courts.
- Acting for an Irish quarry operator on instructions from a major international insurer in the defence of hundreds of High Court proceedings concerning pyrite defects in residential properties.
- Acting in high-value shareholder disputes in the Commercial Court of Ireland.
- Advising insurers on policy coverage, professional indemnity claims, D&O disputes, product and public liability and cyber claims.
- Acting in the prosecution and defence of construction claims including via adjudication.
- Advising on GDPR proceedings, including claims for non-material damage.
- Representing clients in investigations and inquiries before regulatory bodies.
Reported cases
- BOC Aviation (Ireland) Ltd and Others v. Lloyd's Insurance Company S.A. and Others [2024] IEHC 162
- Avolon Aerospace [Hamilton] AOE 1 Limited & Ors v. Lloyd’s Insurance Company SA & Others, BOC Aviation Ireland Limited & Others -v- Lloyd’s Insurance Company SA & Others, Hermes Aircraft A1264 Limited & Others v. All Underwriting members of Syndicate 1969 at Lloyd's for The Lloyd’s 2021 Year of Accounts & Others, CDB Aviation Lease Finance DAC & Others -v- Lloyd’s Insurance Company SA & Others, SMBC Aviation Capital Limited & Others v. Lloyd's Insurance Company SA & Others [2025] IEHC 32
- Oviedo Limited v. Companies Act 2014-2020 [2021] IEHC 473.
- Commercial Management (Investments) Limited v. Mitchell Design & Construct Limited [2016] EWHC 76 (TCC)
- BDW Trading Limited v. Integral Geotechnique (Wales) Limited [2018] EWHC 1915 (TCC)
Qualifications
- Admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales (Non-Practising), Law Society of England and Wales, 2010
- Admitted as a Solicitor in Ireland, Law Society of Ireland, 2008
- Bachelor of Civil Law (International) Degree, University College Dublin, 2004
- Diploma in Construction Law, Law Society of Ireland
- Diploma in Financial Regulation, City Colleges Ireland
- Diploma in Commercial Property Law, Law Society of Ireland
Recommendations
‘Ian Lavelle has remarkable command of detail, combined with an overall strategic vision.’ Recommended for Insurance. - Legal 500 2025
'Ian Lavelle is an experienced construction litigator.’ Recommended for Construction. - Legal 500 2024
Recommended for Insurance - Legal 500 2024
Recommended for Construction - Legal 500 2023
Recommended for Dispute Resolution - Legal 500 2023
Recommended for Insurance - Legal 500 2023
