BCL dominates rankings in Chambers UK, 2016

BCL dominates rankings in Chambers UK, 2016

On 29 October 2015, Chambers & Partners published the 2016 edition of Chambers UK – a Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession.  This is one of the leading independent directories of UK legal services, identifying the leading firms and lawyers in the UK.

In the 2016 edition, BCL has been ranked as a top tier / leading firm in the following practice areas:

  • Financial Crime: Individuals (London)
  • Financial Crime: Individuals: Cartel Investigations (UK-wide)
  • Financial Crime: Corporates (London)
  • Crime (London)
  • Crime: Extradition (London)
  • POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture (UK-wide)
  • Tax: Contentious: Fraud (UK-wide)
  • Health & Safety (UK-wide)

BCL stands out from its competitors by being the only firm to be ranked in all eight of these practice areas and top-ranked in five of them.  Additionally, within these eight practice areas 11 of BCL’s partners are individually ranked as leading individuals, more than any other firm.

Chambers UK’s rankings and editorial for each practice area is set out below.

Financial Crime: Individuals and Financial Crime: Individuals: Cartel Investigations

BCL is ranked as a top tier firm in Financial Crime: Individuals.  We have seven partners ranked in this practice area, including four top-ranked – more than any other firm.  Those ranked are as follows:

  • Ian Burton – Band 1
  • Jane Glass – Band 1
  • Brian Spiro – Band 1
  • Harry Travers – Band 1
  • Richard Sallybanks – Band 2
  • Michael Drury – Band 3
  • Guy Bastable – Band 4

Additionally, both the firm and Richard Sallybanks are top-ranked in relation to Financial Crime: Individuals: Cartel Investigations.

In relation to the firm’s position in Financial Crime: Individuals, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:
Renowned powerhouse with significant experience acting for high-profile domestic and international clients. Frequently advises on complex commercial fraud, regulatory enforcement and money laundering cases. Also has a highly active cartel investigations practice.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
“The strength of their position is primarily in their partners; they’ve got a fantastically strong team.”
“They are tough fighters, very detailed in their preparation and very good on legal arguments.”

In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:

Founder of the firm Ian Burton continues to strengthen his reputation as a leading practitioner in financial crime. He has extensive expertise in corruption, commercial fraud and related regulatory work. Sources describe him as “the figurehead of financial crime, he is able to cut through the rubbish without blinking. There aren’t many who can do that.”

Jane Glass has a defence-focused corporate crime practice, and is particularly adept at handling sophisticated fraud matters. Observers note that she is “strategically clever, works incredibly hard and is dedicated to her clients.”

Brian Spiro is an experienced practitioner who acts for individual and corporate clients. Commentators describe him as “very measured, calm and experienced, someone you can build a relationship of confidence with very quickly.”

Harry Travers continues to run an impressive financial crime practice, managing numerous prominent cases. He specialises in complex corruption, banking fraud and criminal cartel investigations work. One reporter highlights that “he is very innovative and imaginative,” whilst another notes that he is “very thorough and explores every possible angle.”

The “analytical and highly intelligent” Richard Sallybanks is a pre-eminent business crime expert with a global practice handling matters as varied as insider trading, market manipulation and pension fraud. Commentators say: “He has a very good strategic sense and knows when to intervene and when to take proactive action on behalf of a client.”

Michael Drury brings unique experience and skills in national security matters to his financial crime practice, having previously worked for GCHQ. He is well versed in a range of fraud issues and acts for both individuals and corporations.

Guy Bastable is highly regarded for his experience in market manipulation cases, cartel investigations and POCA proceedings. Sources highlight that “he is an area expert who knows what he is talking about and is able to advise well on risks.”

Financial Crime: Corporates

BCL is ranked as a leading firm for this practice area.

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:
Well-established criminal fraud practice and an extensive international reach. It frequently handles challenging corruption and bribery cases as well as complex cartel investigations.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
“They are tough fighters and they leave no stone unturned in their preparation of cases. They are good on legal arguments and take every point that they can.”
“The strength of their position is primarily in their partners – they are a fantastically strong team.”

Crime

BCL is top-ranked for this practice area with six partners appearing in the rankings as follows:

  • Mark Haslam – Star Individual
  • Jane Glass – Band 2
  • Rachel Hubbard – Band 2
  • Paul Morris – Band 2
  • Ellen Peart – Band 2
  • Brian Spiro – Band 3

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:
Acclaimed criminal defence firm highlighted for its representation of private clients. Particularly recommended for its representation of high-profile clients in complex and extremely sensitive criminal proceedings. Extensive experience advising on historic sex crime matters.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
“They are very responsive and they know their stuff – I have no qualms or reservations instructing them in relation to criminal law matters.”
“I have recommended them to friends and colleagues, and they have always been very good. They are a very effective firm.”

In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:

The “exceptional” Mark Haslam is applauded for his extensive knowledge of motor offences and his representation of high-profile sporting figures in pre-emptive criminal defence matters. Sources say: “He provides an extremely hands-on, personal service that very much caters for the particular needs of the client.”

The “outstanding” Jane Glass is recognised for the depth of her experience in complex serious crime proceedings. She is praised by peers as “experienced and savvy.”

“Quality practitioner” Rachel Hubbard is highlighted for her experience in serious criminal matters including sexual offence proceedings. Peers say: “Her client care and general preparation of cases are absolutely outstanding.”

Paul Morris is experienced advising on serious and general crime matters, and is particularly known for representing clients charged with sexual misconduct offences. One source says: “He is like a bible on criminal legislation. He is excellent at dealing with clients, the police, the CPS, other solicitors, barristers and expert witnesses. He is cutting-edge, with a brilliant mind and personality that is perfect for dealing with stressful situations because he keeps calm and is completely unflappable. I cannot speak highly enough of him.”

The “brilliant” and “unflappable” Ellen Peart enjoys a strong reputation among peers for her extensive abilities in general criminal matters. One source comments: “She is hard-working, tenacious, intelligent, dedicated, and clients love her. I would go to her if I was in trouble.”

“Excellent lawyer” Brian Spiro is held in high regard by peers. He maintains a broad criminal practice and is regularly engaged to assist with fraud charges.

Crime: Extradition

BCL is ranked as a leading firm for this practice area.

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:
Highlighted for abilities in sensitive and politically significant extradition proceedings. Regularly engaged by privately funded clients including high net worth foreign nationals.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients) :
“They are very good on the political and legal sides of things and provide excellent preparation for matters.”
“They do top-quality extradition work.”

POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture

BCL is ranked as a top-tier firm with partner Richard Sallybanks top-ranked.

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:
A first-rate offering for corporates and high net worth individuals. Expertise spanning the full spectrum of proceeds of crime matters, from compliance to litigation.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients) :
“A market-leading firm. They do great-quality work.”
“The automatic go-to firm for clients when faced with POCA and asset forfeiture issues.”

In relation to Richard Sallybanks, Chambers UK states:

Sources agree that Richard Sallybanks is “a first-rate lawyer who gets involved in top proceeds of crime work.” He handles a large variety of domestic and international confiscation, restraint and money laundering claims.

Tax: Contentious: Fraud

BCL is again top-ranked for this practice area with partner Harry Travers also top-ranked in the leading individual rankings.

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:
Possesses an outstanding track record of defending clients facing HMRC investigations. Bolstered by market leading knowledge of criminal fraud, with specialist expertise in handling tax evasion proceedings.

In relation to Harry Travers, Chambers UK states:

One of the leading names in the field, Harry Travers is “extremely knowledgeable in the area of tax and litigation,” according to sources. He expertly guides clients through criminal prosecutions and civil recovery proceedings.

Health & Safety

BCL is ranked as a leading firm for this practice area and partner Guy Bastable as a leading lawyer.

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:
Delivers contentious advice to private sector clients including corporations and their executives. Represents clients in investigations, criminal prosecutions and inquests concerning such issues as corporate manslaughter.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
“An outstanding boutique firm who provide a 24-hour service often in difficult circumstances.”
“The firm does a very good job for its clients. They are very thorough, have a good rapport with their clients and get to the key issues in a case really quickly.”

In relation to Guy Bastable, Chambers UK states:

Guy Bastable focuses on defending companies and individuals in cases relating to serious workplace accidents. A qualified barrister, sources describe him as “an outstanding strategist” who shows “immaculate attention to detail.”