BCL Solicitors LLP has been ranked as a top tier by Chambers & Partners in the 2019 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.
BCL has been ranked as a top tier / leading firm in the following practice areas:
- Financial Crime: Individuals (London)
- Financial Crime: Corporates (London)
- Crime (London)
- Crime: Extradition (London)
- POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture (UK-wide)
Chambers UK’s rankings and editorial for each practice area are set out below.
Financial Crime: Individuals
BCL is ranked as a top tier firm in Financial Crime: Individuals. We have seven partners ranked in this practice area, including three top-ranked. Those ranked are as follows:
- Ian Burton – Band 1
- Harry Travers – Band 1
- Richard Sallybanks – Band 1
- Jane Glass – Band 2
- Michael Drury – Band 3
- Shula de Jersey – Band 3
- Shaul Brazil – Band 4
In relation to the firm’s position, Chambers UK states:
What the team is known for:
A premier outfit with an excellent reputation for its representation of individuals including company directors, officers and employees. Frequently advises on complex commercial fraud, regulatory enforcement and money laundering cases. Also demonstrates a strong capability in handling cartel investigations. Adept at dealing with extradition matters related to financial crime investigations.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
“BCL have been fighting and wining serious fraud cases for years, and it shows. They have huge reserves of talent and experience to draw on at all levels”.
“BCL are fantastic. They are all people who’d go the extra mile for the individual client”.
In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:
Ian Burton is an extremely experienced financial crime practitioner, particularly noted for his knowledge of handling international corruption investigations. Sources note that he has “a well-deserved reputation for having a deep knowledge of the field, and he can really keep an eye on the big picture and steer through difficult waters.”
Jane Glass is recognised for her financial crime expertise, including her management of bribery investigations. Sources observe that “she’s very realistic, gets to the point quickly and is very hard-working.”
Harry Travers is lauded for his ability to defend individuals in financial crime matters, including international corruption investigations. Sources comment that “he never leaves his case,” adding: “He’s always thinking about the best way to present his client’s case strategically.”
Shula de Jersey is experienced in handling allegations of money laundering, bribery and corruption. Sources remark that “she’s a great strategist and has a great way with clients,” adding that “she is very hard-working and very diligent.”
Richard Sallybanks is noted for his expertise across the spectrum of financial crime, including matters involving fraud and cartels. Sources say: “He is outstanding: he is very intelligent, very commercial and hands-on.”
Michael Drury is valued for his experience in handling cases involving international corruption and money laundering. Sources say: “He wins the confidence of clients and gets results. He has a wealth of experience in highly sensitive cases, particularly in the intelligence and security field where his expertise is unparalleled in the market.”
Shaul Brazil is rated for his knowledge of financial crime investigations. Sources highlight that “he is tenacious and extremely effective, with experience beyond his years in serious fraud and related proceedings.”
Financial Crime: Individuals: Cartel Investigations
Richard Sallybanks is top-ranked in relation to Financial Crime: Individuals: Cartel Investigations.
Chambers and Partners does not provide the firm rankings in the Financial Crime: Individuals: Cartel Investigations department.
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 practice that provides deep expertise in the business crime area. Offers tailored specialist advice to corporates affected by search warrants, allegations of money laundering and SFO investigations.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
“They have huge reserves of talent and experience to draw on at all levels.”
“They are responsive, strategic and thoughtful.”
Crime
BCL is top-ranked for this practice area with four partners appearing in the rankings as follows:
- Mark Haslam – Band 1
- Paul Morris – Band 1
- Rachel Hubbard – Band 2
- Ellen Peart – Band 2
In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:
What the team is known for:
Outstanding firm specialising in the defence of high-profile private clients. Strong bench of top-flight individuals experienced in handling highly complex cases, including those involving notable personalities from the sports and entertainment worlds. Also offers expert representation to corporate entities.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
“[BCL has] astonishing levels of expertise in all criminal and reputational matters,” adding that “they have the most astute and case-appropriate solicitors and partners.”
“I absolutely love working with them – everything is done to the highest standard and everyone cares about what they are doing.”
In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:
Mark Haslam is a deeply experienced criminal defence lawyer with expertise covering all manner of cases relating to serious crime. He regularly advises sports personalities along with other high-profile individuals. One interviewee says: “He is exceptionally hard-working and very diligent. He is an impressive representative for any client.”
Rachel Hubbard represents clients who become involved in criminal proceedings as suspects or defendants, and also advises those who act as witnesses. She has a broad general crime practice that includes handling serious cases relating to sexual and violent offences.
The “superb” “Paul Morris heads the firm’s serious and general crime department, and has an enviable depth of experience handling complex and high-profile criminal cases. He receives high praise from interviewees, one of whom says: “He is incredibly charismatic and fantastically intelligent – he has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all the details.”
Ellen Peart is an experienced criminal defence lawyer who is adept at representing both individuals and companies involved in serious criminal proceedings. Sources report that she is “absolutely devoted to her clients,” and one interviewee goes on to say: “She has first-rate judgement, especially in selecting the most suitable counsel for her clients, and she is also tactically brilliant.”
Crime: Extradition
BCL is ranked as a leading firm for this practice area, with partner Shaul Brazil ranked as a leading individual, Michael Drury ranked as Recognised Practitioner and Kate Chanter ranked as an Associate to Watch.
In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:
What the team is known for:
Highly experienced team noted for its representation of high-profile individuals in complex cases. Specialist expertise in politically sensitive matters, frequently acting on proceedings involving multiple jurisdictions, asset freezing and Interpol red notices.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
“It’s a really fantastic team. They work round the clock, are very dedicated and are real experts in their field.”
In relation to Shaul Brazil, Chambers UK states:
Shaul Brazil has deep experience handling extradition requests emanating from Russia, along with other jurisdictions around the globe. Sources note: “He is extremely clever and determined, and manages to get on top of extremely difficult cases very quickly.”
The “brilliant” Kate Chanter is well known for her strong extradition practice. She offers extensive experience in criminal defence and related extradition matters, and is particularly well versed in the handling of European Arrest Warrants.
POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture
BCL is ranked as a top-tier firm with partner Richard Sallybanks top-ranked and partner Shaul Brazil ranked as a leading individual.
In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:
What the team is known for:
Market-leading defence practice handling the full spectrum of POCA and asset forfeiture matters. Frequently assists high-profile individuals and corporate clients with anti-money laundering compliance as well as representing them in investigations and pre- and post-conviction litigation.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
Sources describe the team as “simply pre-eminent for their representation of corporates and individuals” in POCA and financial crime matters.
“They always deliver on time and it is always high quality. They are at the top of their game.”
In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:
The “excellent” Richard Sallybanks is one of the standout practitioners in the POCA and asset forfeiture arena. He is a top choice for representing defendants in criminal investigations concerning allegations of money laundering, fraud and corruption, along with associated confiscation and restraint orders. Sources describe him as “a brilliant tactical lawyer and a great strategist,” as well as “highly intelligent, very organised and very experienced.”
Shaul Brazil has a growing reputation for his work in POCA proceedings stemming from criminal prosecutions and regulatory enforcement related to fraud and corruption. Sources note: “He is extremely committed, very bright and is able to get to the heart of a case very quickly. He has an excellent rapport with clients and is exceptionally hard-working.”
Tax: Contentious: Fraud
BCL is again top-ranked for this practice area with partner Harry Travers also top-ranked.
In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:
What the team is known for:
Pre-eminent business crime practice well known for defending clients against significant tax fraud allegations. Possesses an outstanding track record of defending clients facing HMRC investigations.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
“[BCL’s] “reputation is pretty stellar. They are very proactive and very good at thinking strategically.”
In relation to Harry Travers, Chambers UK states:
Harry Travers is well versed in criminal investigations including fraud allegations and those involving tax evasion. Sources state that he is “very experienced and knowledgeable – an expert in his field.”
Health & Safety
Partner Guy Bastable is top-ranked in relation to Health and Safety.
In relation to Guy Bastable, Chambers UK states:
The “outstanding” Guy Bastable of BCL Solicitors LLP represents prominent clients from a range of industries in significant investigations, including those resulting from fatalities. He is also experienced in environmental regulation matters. Clients say that he is “excellent and has meticulous legal knowledge,” adding: “He’s a brilliant strategist.”