Chambers & Partners have now published the 2007 edition of Chambers UK, one of the leading independent directories of UK legal services.
The directory recommends BCL Burton Copeland as a leading firm in the practice areas of Fraud: Criminal, Crime, andHealth & Safety.
Fraud: Criminal and Fraud: Criminal: Corporate
In relation to Fraud: Criminal, we are ranked joint top of the table of the leading firms in the UK and five of our partners are included in the table of the leading individuals in the UK, with our Senior Partner, Ian Burton, ranked as a “star performer” sharing top position. In addition, and for the first time, the directory identifies four firms as the leading firms in the UK forFraud: Criminal: Corporate. We are one of these four firms and are proud of the fact that we are the only firm to be ranked as a leading firm in the UK in both the table for Fraud: Criminal and the table for Fraud: Criminal: Corporate.
In relation to the firm, the directory states:
This “efficient, forward-thinking and modern” fraud boutique is clearly moving with the market flow as it expands its expertise to encompass regulatory and civil work. Traditionally seen as “undoubtedly the best” for providing specialist advice and representation to those subject to, or affected by, criminal investigations and prosecutions, the team has now proved itself to be a popular choice among major City law firms for the representation of individual directors and senior employees. It is also adopting a distinctly international flavour – especially in non-contentious matters such as anti-money laundering compliance. Despite clearly broadening its sphere this past year, it remains a forerunner in its more familiar territory of white-collar crime, high-profile SFO cases and FSA investigations. Examples include the Sweet & Maxwell investigation of an alleged accounting fraud, as well as the investigation into alleged price fixing by pharmaceutical companies in their supply of generic drugs to the NHS. Counsel were quick to praise its teams’ “superbly presented briefs”, while clients distinguished the group as “approachable, practical and cost-effective”.
In relation to individual lawyers, the directory states:
Heading up the team’s white-collar crime and regulation department, Ian Burton has forged himself a stellar reputation as “a rainmaker who’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves.” He impresses all round with his “first-rate tactical approach, clear advice and excellent insights” and has nurtured a significant number of clients from the City. Company directors, accountants and solicitors are all keen to use his services as he has a thorough understanding of the corporate world and the issues likely to arise in a case. He currently acts for three individuals who are the subject of a high-profile investigation by the City of London Police Fraud Squad into allegations of horse race fixing.
“Delightfully laid back” Brian Spiro ameliorates what can often be a gruelling experience for the client. “Efficient and devoid of any undue emotion or sense of panic”, he is “swift to grasp hold of a case” and “makes a good strategic planner”. He recently acted for a UK national resident in Spain in an alleged multimillion-pound offshore investment fraud, a case involving the first ever restraint order to be issued at the investigation stage under S 41 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA).
Tax fraud specialist Harry Travers is described by market sources as “intense, tenacious and thoroughly committed to both clients and cases”. Recently he was involved in the Mirrorgate case, where the DTI prosecuted two high-profile Daily Mirror journalists for manipulating the market by publishing false share tips without disclosing their interest in the said shares.
In a similar vein, Jane Glass is also said to “live and breathe her cases” and will “leave no stone unturned” for her clients. She worked on the first criminal prosecution brought by the FSA for market abuse under S 397 of the FSMA, an action brought against AIT Group Portrait Software.
Robin Booth has established a notable presence as an “outstanding and first-rate” practitioner for Missing Trader Intra-Community (MTIC) cases. In addition, he has recently been involved in the first prosecution of a money laundering reporting officer for an offence arising out of his duties under POCA. Peers rated him as “a bright, solid and effective performer with fine client-handling skills”.
Crime
In relation to Crime, we continue to be ranked as a leading firm and two of our partners are included in the table of leading individuals with Mark Haslam ranked as a “star performer“, sharing the top position in the table of leading individuals. The directory states:
The firm is most widely recognised as a top fraud specialist, yet this doesn’t stop “proper criminal lawyer” Mark Haslam from receiving top billing in the general crime table. His reputation is at its very strongest in the field of motoring defence work. Colleague Rachel Hubbard also has a busy general crime practice mixed with fraud work. Those in the know consider her to be “top-class”.
Health and Safety
In relation to Health & Safety, we are ranked as one of the leading firms in the UK, and one of our partners, Harry Travers, is recommended as one of the leading individuals in the UK. The directory states:
This “extremely competent, thorough and professional” London-based criminal outfit enters the tables this year. The firm advises and represents corporations and individuals in relation to regulatory, including health and safety investigations and prosecutions. Thus the firm defended an amusement park and a tractor manufacturer in investigations into work-related deaths, as well as an international food company in an investigation by the HSE. The firm mostly acts on the contentious aspects of health and safety as it considers that advising a company on compliance before an accident has taken place as well as representing it in relation to an investigation afterwards can create a conflict of interest. Harry Travers, one of the firm’s nine partners, convinces commentators with his “strong attention to detail, ability to analyse complex issues and incisiveness”.