The Legal 500 Clients’ Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2006

The Legal 500 Clients’ Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2006

The latest edition of The Legal 500, one of the leading independent directories of UK legal services, was published in late 2006.

The directory recognises BCL Burton Copeland as one of four niche firms that “have a firm grasp on the criminal fraud market” and continues to recommend the firm in the practice areas of Criminal Fraud, Customs & Excise, and Crime.

In relation to Criminal Fraud, as in previous years, we are ranked joint top of the table of recommended firms with the directory stating:

Criminal fraud powerhouse BCL Burton Copeland, led by highly respected white-collar crime specialist Ian Burton, was instructed on many of 2005’s newsworthy fraud cases.  “Extremely proactive” Harry Travers advised an individual in the alleged multi-million-pound contract corruption case involving BAE and the Government of Saudi Arabia, while Robin Booth successfully represented a defendant in the 110m VAT fraud Revenue & Customs prosecution.  The firm was also involved in the NHS cartel investigation, the Jubilee Line corruption case and the Silvio Berlusconi/David Mills affair.

In relation to Customs & Excise, we continue to be ranked joint top of the table of recommended firms with the directory stating:

A pre-eminent white-collar crime firm, BCL Burton Copeland acts for clients facing charges of tax and duty evasion, drug trafficking and money-laundering.  A major recent coup was advising on operation Venison, where the team successfully represented the main defendant in a carousel/missing trader inter-community VAT fraud case concerning the alleged evasion of 110m of VAT.  Harry Travers boasts a first-rate reputation.

In relation to Crime, we continue to be ranked high in the table of recommended firms with the directory stating:

Well known for its fraud work, BCL Burton Copeland also handles a wide range of high-level crime work, particularly for high-net worth individuals such as sports stars, musicians, politicians and professionals.  Team head Mark Haslam is highly regarded.