Rayan has a broad and diverse practice encompassing all areas of Chambers' expertise, with a particular focus on public and human rights law, public international law, commercial law, EU and competition law, media and entertainment, and sanctions. 

    Since commencing practice, Rayan has been instructed as junior counsel representing Ed Sheeran in a high profile copyright dispute in relation to the song 'Shape of You', as counsel to the Financial Conduct Authority in market abuse proceedings before the Regulatory Decisions Committee and the High Court, and as counsel to a Part 20 Defendant in proceedings relating to an alleged cartel in the Competition Appeals Tribunal. 

    Rayan is also developing a strong public law and human rights practice, and is currently instructed by the claimants in a high profile challenge to the Government's policy of removing asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda. Other recent highlights include advising a human rights organisation on a sanctions-related matter concerning alleged war crimes, acting for the claimant in a judicial review of a decision of the Financial Ombudsman Service, and advising a public authority in relation to potential litigation concerning the right to peaceful enjoyment of property under Article 1 of the First Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights. 

    Prior to undertaking his pupillage with Blackstone Chambers, Rayan worked as a Research Associate with Legal Agenda in Beirut, where he worked on civil liberties and social justice issues arising from the mass demonstrations of October 2019 and ensuing political crisis in Lebanon. He has been a member of the Legal Agenda General Assembly since October 2020. Rayan has also been a union representative for the Cleaners and Allied Independent Workers Union (CAIWU).

    Rayan commenced full-time practice on completion of his pupillage in September 2021.

    Experience

    Shortlist

    Public & Regulatory

    Rayan accepts instructions in all areas of public and regulatory law.

    Cases

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      BPF v Financial Ombudsman Service

      Acting for the claimant in a judicial review of a decision of the Financial Ombudsman Service. 

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      AAA v Secretary of State for the Home Department

      Acting for the claimants in a judicial review challenging the Secretary of State’s decisions to remove the individual claimants to Rwanda pursuant to her policy of removing asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda, as well as the lawfulness of the Rwanda removal policy itself. 

    • Read more

      A1P1 Advice

      Advising a public authority in relation to potential litigation concerning the right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions under Article 1, Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights. 

    • Read more

      Afghan Relocations and Assistance Programme

      Advising in relation to several applications under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Programme following the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

    • Read more

      Public Authority Injunction

      Advising a public authority in relation to a potential application for an urgent injunction in the High Court.

    • Read more

      Data Protection and Scientific Research

      Advising on the operation of data protection and privacy law in the context of scientific research. 

    • Read more

      FDA v the Prime Minister and Minister of the Civil Service

      Claim for judicial review raising issues concerning the justiciability of the Prime Minister's interpretation and application of the Ministerial Code (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      McQuillan and Others v Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Others

      Joined Supreme Court appeals concerning the retrospective reach of investigative obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998 in relation to allegations of torture and unlawful killing arising from the Troubles in Northern Ireland (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
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      R (China Global Television Network Corporation) v Ofcom

      Claim for judicial review in relation to Ofcom's decision to revoke the claimant's broadcasting licence on the grounds that it was controlled by a body whose objects are wholly or mainly of a political nature (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
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      International Development Judicial Review

      Claim for judicial review raising issues concerning the scope of the Secretary of State's obligations under the International Development Act 2002 (assisting Hanif Musa).
    • Read more

      Various Claimants v Volkswagen AG and Others

      Advising on public and EU law issues arising in complex High Court group litigation involving allegations of unfair trading, breach of statutory duty, and deceit (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      D v Secretary of State for Justice

      Claim for judicial review challenging the Secretary of State's decision to terminate the claimant's membership of the Parole Board on grounds of gross negligence (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      PG v the United Kingdom

      Application before the European Court of Human Rights concerning the compatibility of absolute parliamentary privilege with the right to a fair trial under Article 6 ECHR (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      Contempt of Court Application in Public Law Proceedings

      Written submissions on the principles applicable to contempt proceedings arising in a public law context (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      Sanctions Designation Advice

      Advising on the lawfulness of a sanctions designation made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      Parliamentary Privilege Advice

      Advising on the operation of parliamentary privilege and its compatibility with the right of access to a court under Article 6 ECHR, as well as avenues for future reform (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      Freedom of Information Advice

      Advising on the principles applicable to the withholding of relevant information from a freedom of information response on the grounds that disclosure would cause prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    Shortlist

    Commercial

    Rayan accepts instructions in all areas of commercial law.

    Cases

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      Market Abuse Litigation

      Acting for the claimant in High Court litigation involving allegations of market abuse. 

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      Sheeran & Others v Chokri & Others [2022] EWHC 827 (Ch)

      Successfully represented Ed Sheeran, Steve McCutcheon, Johnny McDaid and the publishers of the song "Shape of You". The High Court granted a declaration that the Claimants had not infringed any copyrights of the Defendants in writing and exploiting that song and dismissed the Defendants' counterclaim (with Ian Mill QC). 

    • Read more

      FCA Enforcement Proceedings

      Acting for the Financial Conduct Authority in proceedings before the Regulatory Decisions Committee in relation to allegations of market abuse.

    • Read more

      Confidential Information and Harassment Injunction

      Obtained undertakings in lieu of an injunction from the defendant in High Court proceedings in relation to allegations of misuse of confidential information and harassment. 

    • Read more

      [Insurance Company] v [Former Employee and Competitor]

      High Court employee competition claim involving allegations of misuse of confidential information and unlawful means conspiracy (assisting Diya Sen Gupta QC).
    • Read more

      Montlake v Tiber LLP and Others

      Acting for the claimant in this High Court claim for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and unlawful means conspiracy in relation to an allegedly fraudulent scheme involving an investment fund manager (assisting Victoria Windle).
    • Read more

      Breach of Confidence Claim

      Advising on a potential claim for an injunction and damages for breach of confidence and misuse of trade secrets by a former employee (assisting Victoria Windle).
    • Read more

      Kinsella v Emasan and Others

      High Court claim for breach of contract and misrepresentation involving an application for mutual legal assistance for the purposes of taking evidence abroad in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic (assisting Victoria Windle).
    • Read more

      Global Plastic v Inivos

      High Court claim for breach of contract and unjust enrichment in relation to the supply of personal protective equipment in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic (assisting Victoria Windle).
    • Read more

      PJSC National Bank Trust and Others v Mints and Others

      High Court jurisdictional challenge on forum non conveniens grounds in a claim involving allegations of civil fraud in connection with a number of transactions in Russia (assisting Victoria Windle).
    • Read more

      Jurisdictional Challenge (Recast Brussels Regulation)

      High Court jurisdictional challenge under the Recast Brussels Regulation in a claim for breach of fiduciary duty, dishonest assistance, and unlawful means conspiracy (assisting Victoria Windle).
    Shortlist

    Civil Liberties & Human Rights

    Rayan accepts instructions in all areas of civil liberties and human rights law.

    Cases

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      Sanctions and War Crimes Advice

      Advising a human rights organisation in relation to potential litigation concerning persons allegedly implicated in torture and war crimes. 

    • Read more

      AAA v Secretary of State for the Home Department

      Acting for the claimants in a judicial review challenging the Secretary of State’s decisions to remove the individual claimants to Rwanda pursuant to her policy of removing asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda, as well as the lawfulness of the Rwanda removal policy itself. 

    • Read more

      A1P1 Advice

      Advising a public authority in relation to potential litigation concerning the right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions under Article 1, Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights. 

    • Read more

      Afghan Relocations and Assistance Programme

      Advising in relation to several applications under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Programme following the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

    • Read more

      Freedom of Expression and Discrimination Claim

      Successfully represented a claimant at pre-action stage in relation to a claim against a public authority for breach of the claimant's Article 10 rights to freedom of expression as well as discrimination on grounds of philosophical belief, resulting in the revocation of the decision. 

    • Read more

      McQuillan and Others v Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Others

      Joined Supreme Court appeals concerning the retrospective reach of investigative obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998 in relation to allegations of torture and unlawful killing arising from the Troubles in Northern Ireland (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      MGN Limited v the United Kingdom

      Application before the European Court of Human Rights concerning the compatibility of the UK litigation costs regime with the right to freedom of expression under Article 10 ECHR (assisting Jason Pobjoy)
    • Read more

      Stott v the United Kingdom

      Application before the European Court of Human Rights concerning the compatibility of the UK criminal sentencing regime, and in particular the scheme underpinning extended determinate sentences, with Articles 5 and 14 ECHR (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      PG v the United Kingdom

      Application before the European Court of Human Rights concerning the compatibility of absolute parliamentary privilege with the right to a fair trial under Article 6 ECHR (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      Counterterrorism Sanctions Advice

      Advising an international human rights organisation on the potential sanctions implications of an award of compensation granted by the European Court of Human Rights in relation to allegations of unlawful rendition and torture (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      Freedom of Expression Advice

      Advising an NGO on a university's obligations in relation to freedom of expression in the context of internal disciplinary proceedings (pro bono).
    Shortlist

    Sanctions

    Rayan accepts instructions in all areas of sanctions law.

    Cases

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      Sanctions and War Crimes Advice

      Advising a human rights organisation in relation to potential litigation concerning persons allegedly implicated in torture and war crimes. 

    • Read more

      Russia Financial Sanctions Advice

      Advising a company on the implications for its business of recent financial sanctions in relation to Russia. 

    • Read more

      Financial Sanctions Advice

      Advising on potential litigation in relation to the application of financial sanctions under UK and EU sanctions regimes. 

    • Read more

      Counterterrorism Sanctions Advice

      Advising an international human rights organisation on the potential sanctions implications of an award of compensation granted by the European Court of Human Rights in relation to allegations of unlawful rendition and torture (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      International Sanctions Advice

      Advising on the operation of the sanctions regime under the Terrorist Asset-Freezing Act 2010, as well as its potential interaction with international humanitarian law (assisting Hanif Musa).
    • Read more

      Sanctions Designation Advice

      Advising on the lawfulness of a sanctions designation made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      Various Claimants v Metro Bank

      Advising on the recoverability of damages under the EU Blocking Statute, an instrument intended to protect EU persons from the extraterritorial effect of sanctions legislation enacted by other states (assisting Jason Pobjoy)
    Shortlist

    Media & Entertainment

    Rayan accepts instructions in all areas of media and entertainment law.

    Cases

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    • Read more

      Sheeran & Others v Chokri & Others [2022] EWHC 827 (Ch)

      Successfully represented Ed Sheeran, Steve McCutcheon, Johnny McDaid and the publishers of the song "Shape of You". The High Court granted a declaration that the Claimants had not infringed any copyrights of the Defendants in writing and exploiting that song and dismissed the Defendants' counterclaim (with Ian Mill QC). 

    • Read more

      Phone Hacking Litigation Advice

      Advising on ongoing group litigation involving allegations of unlawful phone hacking and misuse of private information (assisting Hanif Musa).
    Shortlist

    Financial Services

    Rayan accepts instructions in all areas of financial services law. 

    Cases

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      Market Abuse Litigation

      Acting for the claimant in High Court litigation involving allegations of market abuse. 

    • Read more

      FCA Enforcement Proceedings

      Acting for the Financial Conduct Authority in proceedings before the Regulatory Decisions Committee in relation to allegations of market abuse.

    • Read more

      Fraudulent Trading Claim

      Acting for a defendant in this High Court claim for fraudulent trading, knowing receipt, and dishonest assistance (assisting Victoria Windle).
    Shortlist

    Public International Law

    Rayan accepts instructions in all areas of public international law.

    Cases

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    • Read more

      Sanctions and War Crimes Advice

      Advising a human rights organisation in relation to potential litigation concerning persons allegedly implicated in torture and war crimes. 

    • Read more

      Counterterrorism Sanctions Advice

      Advising an international human rights organisation on the potential sanctions implications of an award of compensation granted by the European Court of Human Rights in relation to allegations of unlawful rendition and torture (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      International Sanctions Advice

      Advising on the operation of the sanctions regime under the Terrorist Asset-Freezing Act 2010, as well as its potential interaction with international humanitarian law (assisting Hanif Musa).
    Shortlist

    Civil Fraud, Asset Recovery & Injunctive Relief

    Rayan accepts instructions in all areas of civil fraud law.

    Cases

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      Fraud Litigation

      Advising a claimant on issues of asset recovery and limitation in relation to a sophisticated high-value fraud

    • Read more

      Confidential Information and Harassment Injunction

      Obtained undertakings in lieu of an injunction from the defendant in High Court proceedings in relation to allegations of misuse of confidential information and harassment. 

    • Read more

      PJSC National Bank Trust and Others v Mints and Others

      High Court jurisdictional challenge on forum non conveniens grounds in a claim involving allegations of civil fraud in connection with a number of transactions in Russia (assisting Victoria Windle).
    • Read more

      Jurisdictional Challenge (Recast Brussels Regulation)

      High Court jurisdictional challenge under the Recast Brussels Regulation in a claim for breach of fiduciary duty, dishonest assistance, and unlawful means conspiracy (assisting Victoria Windle).
    • Read more

      Montlake v Tiber LLP and Others

      Acting for the claimant in this High Court claim for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and unlawful means conspiracy in relation to an allegedly fraudulent scheme involving an investment fund manager (assisting Victoria Windle).
    • Read more

      Fraudulent Trading Claim

      Acting for a defendant in this High Court claim for fraudulent trading, knowing receipt, and dishonest assistance (assisting Victoria Windle).
    • Read more

      APP Fraud Claim

      Advising on a potential claim against a bank in relation to an authorised push-payment fraud scheme in which a bank employee was allegedly implicated (assisting Victoria Windle).
    • Read more

      Electronic Money Claim

      Advising on a potential urgent injunction in connection with a dispute relating to the issuance and redemption of electronic money under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (assisting Victoria Windle).
    • Read more

      Freezing Order Advice

      Advising on the effect of an English worldwide freezing order on a creditor's ability to enforce pre-existing security over the assets of a respondent to the order (assisting Victoria Windle).
    Shortlist

    EU & Competition

    Rayan accepts instructions in all areas of EU law.

    Cases

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      Various Claimants v Volkswagen AG and Others

      Advising on public and EU law issues arising in complex High Court group litigation involving allegations of unfair trading, breach of statutory duty, and deceit (assisting Jason Pobjoy).
    • Read more

      Aviation Claim

      Successfully represented the defendant in a claim for compensation under Regulation (EC) 261/2004. 

    • Read more

      Various Claimants v Metro Bank

      Advising on the recoverability of damages under the EU Blocking Statute, an instrument intended to protect EU persons from the extraterritorial effect of sanctions legislation enacted by other states (assisting Jason Pobjoy)
    Shortlist

    Employment

    Rayan accepts instructions in all areas of employment law.

    Cases

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      [Former Consultant] v [Financial Services Company]

      Employment Tribunal claim involving allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination as well as issues concerning the scope of protection afforded to contract workers under the Equality Act 2010 (assisting Diya Sen Gupta QC).
    • Read more

      [Insurance Company] v [Former Employee and Competitor]

      High Court employee competition claim involving allegations of misuse of confidential information and unlawful means conspiracy (assisting Diya Sen Gupta QC).
    • Read more

      [Former Employee] v [Employer]

      Interim relief hearing in an Employment Tribunal whistleblowing claim (assisting Diya Sen Gupta QC).
    • Read more

      Post-Termination Confidentiality Advice

      Advising on the legal principles applicable to unlawful restraints of trade and the enforceability of a contractual clause imposing post-termination confidentiality obligations (assisting Diya Sen Gupta QC).
    • Read more

      Whistleblowing Independent Investigation

      Independent fact-finding investigation into a complaint concerning an international organisation's handling of whistleblowing issues and allegations of harassment (assisting Diya Sen Gupta QC).
    • Read more

      Advice on Bonus Entitlements

      Advising on a potential claim concerning a former employee's contractual entitlements following the termination of employment (assisting Diya Sen Gupta QC).

    Achievements

    Education

    • BA (Hons) Philosophy, Politics & Economics (Oxford, Double First)
    • Graduate Diploma in Law (City, Distinction)
    • Bar Professional Training Course (City, Outstanding)

    Awards

    • William Rose Memorial Prize for Excellence in Drafting (BPTC, 2019)
    • Buchanan Prize for Outstanding mark in Bar examinations, Lincoln's Inn (2019)
    • Cassel Scholarship, Lincoln's Inn (2018)
    • BPTC Scholarship, City Law School (2018)
    • Wadham College prize for performance in Final Examinations (results in top 5 of 238 candidates in PPE graduating class of 2017)
    • Takashi Kisaki Prize in Philosophy (2017)


    Publications

    Separately from his work at the Bar, Rayan regularly writes for various publications (in both English and Arabic) on a range of social, legal, and cultural issues relating to the Middle East.


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