On 25 October 2011 Chambers & Partners published the 2012 edition of Chambers UK’s A Client’s Guide to the Legal Profession, 2012. This is one of the leading independent directories of UK legal services.
In the 2012 edition, BCL Burton Copeland is recommended as a leading firm in the following practice areas:
- Fraud: Criminal (UK-wide)
- Fraud: Criminal: Corporate (UK-wide)
- Competition: White-Collar Crime: Cartel Defence
- Crime
- Tax: Contentious: Fraud (London & UK-wide)
- Health and Safety (London & UK-wide)
Additionally to the above practice areas, on an individual basis partner Harry Travers is recommended as a notable practitioner in the practice area Fraud: Civil
Again, BCL distinguishes itself from its competitors in two specific ways: firstly, it is the only firm to be recommended in all of the above practice areas; and, secondly, it is the only firm with partners listed as Star Individuals in the lawyer ranking tables in both Fraud: Criminal and Crime, in addition to being a top-ranked firm in these practice areas.
The editorial for each practice area is set out below.
Fraud: Criminal and Fraud: Criminal: Corporate Crime
BCL continues to be ranked at the top of table of leading firms in the UK in these practice areas.
Individually, eight of BCL’s partners are ranked in the table of leading individuals in the UK, as follows:
- Ian Burton – Star Individual
- Jane Glass – Band 1
- Brian Sprio – Band 1
- Harry Travers – Band 1
- Robin Booth – Band 3
- Richard Sallybanks – Band 3
- Guy Bastable – Band 4
- Michael Drury CMG – Band 4
The directory states:
The market recognises this London-based, one-office firm as one of the largest high-end players in a number of areas, including fraud and corporate crime, with one peer going so far as to single it out as a ‘team to aspire to’. It handles a variety of high-stakes and esoteric cases, and interviewees account its success to the excellent range of skills is it able to offer clients. Highlight work includes advising former directors on regulatory and investigative matters relating to the fallout from the Madoff and Kaupthing Bank affairs.
In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:
Senior partner, firm founder and star practitioner Ian Burton is credited with developing the practice to its market-leading position. Enthusiastic market sources describe him as ‘absolutely top class, just like his firm’ and recognise him as a true specialist in white-collar crime work. He has acted for the former directors of Madoff and Kaupthing and advised Harry Redknapp on a football tax investigation. Those seeking ‘a first class’ lawyer who ‘cares about getting it right’ would do well to retain the services of Jane Glass. She acted for the principal defendant in the hitherto largest ever Defra prosecution, as well as working with Ian Burton in the Harry Redknapp matter.
Brian Spiro benefits from a substantial profile for his part in Trafigura’s widely reported waste dumping matter, and he continues to act as this client’s international criminal counsel.
Harry Travers is recognised for his broad skills at the interplay of civil and criminal fraud; appreciative sources enthuse over his tenacious approach and incisive knowledge in both of these areas of law. He acted for the former finance director of Torex Retail in the SFO investigation into the company.
Richard Sallybanks is now in his 20th year of practice, and has extensive experience of regulatory investigations. He recently advised two directors of Alstom on an SFO investigation into alleged overseas corruption. Interviewees cite his deft handling of highly sensitive matters as a major selling point.
Robin Booth offers substantial experience as a former public prosecutor and head of fraud at the CPS. Work highlights include considerable advisory matters, as well as representing Michael Bright, former CEO of Independent Insurance, in a confiscation matter.
Guy Bastable enjoys a distinct profile in both health and safety law and fraud matters. He acted for the director of a large car import company in an alleged VAT evasion of more than £10 million. Michael Drury joined the firm recently, following a 14-year tenure as legal affairs director at UK government intelligence unit GCHQ. Sources agree that ‘his natural and easy-going style gives him a great affinity with clients’ and his recent work includes advising an oil and gas company on SFO allegations of overseas corruption.
Competition: White-Collar Crime: Cartel Defence
BCL is again listed as one of the leading firms in this practice area. The editorial states:
This firm is seen as a go-to practice for criminal cartel work. The talented team is part of the firm’s business crime and regulation department, and offers a strong combination of ‘size, quality and spread of expertise,’ according to market commentators.
Richard Sallybanks continues to be ranked as Band 1 in the table of leading individuals in the UK in this practice area with the directory stating:
Richard Sallybanks wins applause from sources who commend him as ‘an experienced, charismatic individual’. He represented a former British Airways senior manager in an investigation and prosecution by the US authorities.
Crime
For many years BCL has topped the table of leading firms and this year is no exception. Six of BCL’s partners are ranked as leading individuals. The rankings are as follows:
- Mark Haslam – Star Individual
- Rachel Hubbard – Band 2
- Paul Morris – Band 2
- Brian Sprio – Band 2
- Jane Glass – Band 4
- Ellen Peart – Up and Coming
In relation to the firm, the directory states:
This team is a well-established first port of call in fraud and criminal matters for privately paying clients. Its broad expertise covers a comprehensive range of issues, including sexual offences and homicide. Recently, the lawyers have acted for a number of professional sports personalities in alleged match-fixing and assault cases.
Client Service: ‘The level of client care and attention to detail marks this firm out.’
Individually, Chambers UK makes the following comments:
Departmental head Mark Haslam is admired for developing the practice to its prominent position, with interviewees agreeing that he is an ‘extremely approachable lawyer who is very good with clients’ and a great solution finder. He advised sports agent Mazhar Majeed on high-profile allegations of cricket match fixing.
Sources praise Paul Morris for his ‘great overall strategy and client care’. His key matters include representing Premiership footballer DJ Campbell against allegations of involvement in an attempted murder in London.
Rachel Hubbard’s ‘ability to get to the nub of the issue in even the most complex of cases is a lesson in anyone wanting to get to the top,’ according to enthusiastic sources. Following on from her work in the high-profile Suffolk strangler case, she maintains an extensive practice across a range of sexual assault, public order and fraud matters.
The ‘impressively calm and intelligent’ Brian Spiro acted for singer George Michael over charges related to his driving a car into a shop front in Hampstead.
Jane Glass has built a sound reputation for her ability to ‘brilliantly handle clients through very heightened emotional circumstances.’ She advised Colonel Jorge Mendonca on a public inquiry concerning the ill-treatment of Iraqi nationals.
Ellen Peart is ‘excellent at both giving an overall picture of the prospects of the case and providing the necessary detailed advice,’ She was involved in the Booker case appeal, a retrial of a large drugs conspiracy.
Tax: Contentious: Fraud
BCL continues to be listed as one of the leading firms in this practice area with the directory stating:
A number of high-profile and significant criminal tax investigations and prosecutions have helped maintain this firm’s excellent reputation for white-collar crime matters. The team has specialist expertise in tax avoidance and evasion cases thanks to its expertise in both taxation and criminal law.
Harry Travers is once again ranked as Band 1 in the table of leading individuals and in relation to him Chambers states:
‘Very energetic and knowledgeable’ Harry Travers has an outstanding reputation as a strong litigator. His deep background in tax enables him to handle the most complex and significant tax fraud cases and disputes involving HMRC.
Health & Safety
BCL cements its position in the list of leading firms in this practice area with the directory stating:
This firm is praised by market sources for its ‘specialist criminal experience,’ which translates well into health and safety defence work. The 14 members of the business crime and regulatory team concentrate on a range of corporate criminal defence matters. The practice is continuing to grow and attract significant instructions. The group is currently advising London Borough of Southwark on police and regulatory investigations into the high-profile Lakanal tower block fire.
Client Service: ‘They have got an understanding of dealing with large corporates and of PR and situation management which is a big part of client handling in health and safety.’
Guy Bastable and Harry Travers continue to be ranked in Bands 2 and 4 respectively in this practice area. The directory states:
Guy Bastable leads the health and safety practice at the firm and is credited by sources for ‘building a practice in this area with enormous success.’ Peers add that ‘he’s got a reputation for working incredibly hard, quietly immersing himself in any case and leaving no stone unturned. His knowledge of this area of law is unrivalled and he has a complete commitment to the clients and achieving the best result.’ Harry Travers balances health and safety with criminal fraud defence work. He has handled numerous fatal accident cases and is considered a ‘very bright individual’ by peers.
Fraud: Civil
Harry Travers is listed as a notable practitioner in this practice area with Chambers UK stating:
Harry Travers of BCL Burton Copeland enjoys a reputation as ‘a smart and affable commercial realist across civil, regulatory and criminal matters.’ He is regular sight in the burgeoning civil remedies being sought by entities such as the SFO and HMRC, and acts in the circa £52 million Independent Trustee Service v GP Noble Trustees dispute.