BCL top ranked in Chambers and Partners UK Guide 2023

BCL top ranked in Chambers and Partners UK Guide 2023

BCL Solicitors LLP has once again been ranked as a top tier firm with leading individuals in our fields by Chambers & Partners in the 2023 edition of Chambers UK Guide.  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)
  • Extradition (UK-wide)
  • Health & Safety (UK-wide)
  • POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture (UK-wide)
  • Tax: Contentious: Fraud (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 and one associate to watch. Those ranked are as follows:

  • Ian Burton – Senior Statesperson
  • Harry Travers – Band 1
  • Richard Sallybanks – Band 1
  • Shula de Jersey – Band 2
  • Michael Drury – Band 3
  • Shaul Brazil – Band 4
  • Julian Hayes – Band 4
  • Hannah Raphael – Associates to watch

In relation to the firm’s position, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:

BCL Solicitors is a premier outfit with an excellent reputation for its representation of individuals including company directors, officers and employees. It offers a large team with extensive experience in handling high-profile SFO investigations. The team also frequently advises on complex commercial fraud, regulatory enforcement and money laundering cases and is adept at dealing with extradition matters related to financial crime investigations.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
One source states: BCL Solicitors has an excellent team – the lawyers work together cohesively and collaboratively.
A client adds: The team is highly qualified with huge levels of experience and knowledge.

In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:

Ian Burton is a seasoned financial crime practitioner representing individuals in investigations and proceedings into fraud, money laundering and corruption. He advises clients on multi-jurisdictional investigations, including international sanctions and extradition matters. Ian Burton is a genius in white-collar fraud matters.

Harry Travers has extensive experience representing high net worth individuals and senior executives facing high-stakes tax fraud investigations. He also guides clients through Code of Practice 9 investigations and allegations of serious tax evasion. He has unrivalled expertise, with a genius for simplification and delivery. He provides exceptional clarity and reassurance in critical situations.

Shula de Jersey often advises individuals on cross-border investigations into allegations of complex fraud, bribery and corruption. Shula de Jersey is a practical, straight-speaking lawyer and her ability to get straight to the heart of any complex issue is a huge asset to any client facing a large-scale investigation.

Richard Sallybanks represents clients in multi-jurisdictional investigations in allegations of fraud, corruption and money laundering, attracting particular attention for his work on high-profile SFO investigations. Richard Sallybanks is very intelligent and calm.”

Michael Drury’s demonstrates particular strength advising clients on investigations into bribery and corruption by the SFO.  Michael has a brilliantly imaginative mind and very good judgement.”

Shaul Brazil represents both individuals and companies in POCA matters relating to financial crime. He undertakes a range of work but stands out for his advice on money laundering. ”Shaul Brazil is excellent. He is very reassuring in stressful and distressing situations.

Julian Hayes frequently supports senior employees during multinational investigations into fraud, money laundering and bribery. “Julian Hayes is a strategic, meticulous and forward-thinking lawyer.”

Hannah Raphael acts for clients in a range of investigations brought by the SFO and FCA, including those involving allegations of money laundering and fraud. “She is extremely committed to her work and goes the extra mile for her clients.”

Financial Crime: Corporates

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

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

BCL Solicitors’ well-established practice provides deep expertise in the business crime area, offering tailored specialist advice to corporates affected by search warrants, allegations of money laundering and SFO investigations. The team is well versed in matters involving bribery and corruption and draws corporate clients from a wide range of sectors, including life sciences, construction and retail.

Crime

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

  • Ellen Peart – Band 1
  • Mark Haslam – Band 2
  • David Hardstaff – Up and Coming
  • Daniel Jackson – Up and Coming

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:
BCL Solicitors is an outstanding firm specialising in the defence of high-profile private clients. It has a strong bench of top-flight individuals experienced in handling highly complex cases, including those involving notable personalities from the sports and entertainment worlds. The firm also offers expert representation to professionals in the medical, business and political spheres. Instructions taken by the firm cover a wide range of serious and general criminal charges, including sexual offences, drug trafficking and violent crimes.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
A source says: “The team is calm and collected with strong technical and strategic knowledge.

In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:

Ellen Peart is head of serious and general crime at BCL Solicitors. She is a criminal defence specialist with particular expertise in handling serious sexual offence cases and who regularly assists prominent individuals including politicians, bankers and legal professionals. Ellen is without doubt one of the best criminal solicitors in the game.”

Mark Haslam is a leading criminal defence practitioner who regularly represents well-known sports professionals along with other prominent individuals. His deep expertise in criminal law extends from driving offences to the most serious allegations of violence and sexual assault.

David Hardstaff is a newly promoted partner with a very strong reputation in the market. He regularly assists on complex criminal cases and has experience in representing clients from the police station all the way up to the Court of Appeal. He is brilliant, very clever and strategic.”

Newly minted partner Daniel Jackson specialises in serious and general criminal cases. He regularly represents clients charged with sexual, violent and drugs-related offences. ”Daniel is a rising star who is very clever, hard-working, and knows the law.”

Extradition

BCL is ranked as a leading firm for this practice area with two ranked partners and one associate to watch appearing in the rankings as follows:

  • Shaul Brazil – Band 2
  • Michael Drury – Band 3
  • Hannah Raphael – Associates to watch

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:
BCL Solicitors is noted for its representation of high-profile individuals in complex extradition cases. It has specialist expertise in politically sensitive matters, frequently acting on proceedings involving multiple jurisdictions, asset freezing and Interpol Red Notices. It also has considerable experience representing clients caught up in complex investigations into alleged corruption and fraud. The team is particularly active representing high net worth individuals and public figures in extradition requests from Russia and Eastern Europe.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
The team is practical and service-oriented, going above and beyond to respond to clients.”

In relation to our individuals, Chambers UK states:

Michael Drury‘s extradition expertise extends across multiple jurisdictions including those in Africa, South America and Eastern Europe. He has notable experience defending clients facing charges of corruption, fraud and other serious crimes, particularly in cases where such charges may be politically motivated.  A brilliant lawyer and acute strategic thinker.”

Shaul Brazil frequently represents high-profile individuals facing extradition in relation to serious criminal charges, including fraud, money laundering and drugs trafficking. Shaul Brazil is excellent. He is very reassuring in stressful and distressing situations.

Hannah Raphael frequently represents high-profile individuals against extradition requests, particularly in cases concerning financial crimes. She also has expertise in Interpol cases including challenging Red Notices. ”Hannah is brilliant with clients – empathetic but objective.”

POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture

BCL is ranked as a top-tier firm with three partners appearing in the rankings as follows:

  • Richard Sallybanks – Band 1
  • John Binns – Band 1
  • Shaul Brazil – Band 2

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:

BCL Solicitors is a market-leading defence practice that handles the full spectrum of POCA and asset forfeiture matters. The firm 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. Its lawyers have strong expertise in regard to unexplained wealth orders and account freezing orders. The POCA practice benefits from the firm’s complementary specialisms in general crime, financial crime and tax fraud.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
Sources note: “The firm is excellent at handling sophisticated and complex matters. They fully understood the matter and dealt with it perfectly.”

“BCL Solicitors handles the most complex cases involving international cases and large sums.”

In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:

Richard Sallybanks is highlighted for the depth of his POCA experience and frequently acts on complex multi-jurisdictional matters relating to financial crime.  “Richard is incredibly thorough and has his clients’ interests at heart.” “Richard is an experienced senior lawyer with very good understanding of a case.”

Shaul Brazil represents both individuals and companies in POCA matters relating to financial crime. He undertakes a range of work but stands out for his advice on money laundering. ”Shaul is very good with clients.”

John Binns is highly experienced in POCA, with notable expertise on cross-border matters. He has a wide-ranging practice advising on money laundering and UWOs. “John Binns is hugely impressive – very diligent, good with clients and everything you could possibly want. I couldn’t give him a higher recommendation.”

Tax: Contentious: Fraud

BCL is ranked as a top-tier firm with two partners and an associate appearing in the rankings as follows:

  • Harry Travers – Band 1
  • John Binns – Band 2
  • Greg Mailer – Associate to watch

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:

BCL Solicitors has a pre-eminent business crime practice well known for defending clients against significant tax fraud allegations. The firm possesses an outstanding track record of defending clients facing HMRC investigations. The team represents senior executives in the banking and asset management industries.

In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:

Harry Travers has extensive experience representing high net worth individuals and senior executives facing high-stakes tax fraud investigations. He also guides clients through Code of Practice 9 investigations and allegations of serious tax evasion. “He has very deep knowledge, an amazing track record and complete encyclopaedic knowledge.

John Binns frequently advises clients in relation to tax fraud and tax evasion cases. He is recognised as a highly skilled practitioner who is able to assist with sensitive and complex matters. “He is an excellent lawyer and easy to work with. He is creative in his approach to finding the best solution for his client.”

Greg Mailer represents clients in civil and criminal fraud investigations. He is notable for his work on Code of Practice 9 cases. “Greg is extremely knowledgeable and proactive, providing invaluable reassurance in the complex, high-risk environment of a serious tax investigation.”

Health & Safety

BCL is ranked as a leading firm for this practice area with two partners appearing in the rankings as follows:

  • Richard Reichman – Band 5
  • Tom McNeill – Associate to watch

What the team is known for:

BCL Solicitors has a respected practice that regularly provides counsel to corporates and directors and which is particularly adept at handling matters for clients in the utilities, construction and entertainment sectors. The team is experienced at advising clients on corporate manslaughter cases, fire safety issues and environmental protection issues, and defends clients in HSE prosecutions and criminal investigations.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):
Commentators state: BCL Solicitors has always provided thoughtful, considered assistance in a timely manner.”

In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:

Richard Reichman is regularly called upon to advise clients within the retail and food and beverage sectors. He represents both corporate organisations and private individuals in investigations by local authorities and other regulatory bodies. “Richard is an extremely well-organised, calm and measured individual.”

Tom McNeill focuses his practice on defending clients in regulatory investigations and prosecutions following fatal accidents. He regularly provides counsel on ORR, HSE and British Transport Police investigations. Tom is across all details on his cases and brings a meticulous, methodical analysis to complex issues.

If you wish to read the full BCL Solicitors’ profile please visit the Chambers and Partners website here.