On 30 October 2013, Chambers & Partners published the 2014 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.
In the 2014 edition, BCL has been ranked as a top tier / leading firm in the following practice areas:
- Corporate Crime & Investigations (UK-wide), which now incorporates Cartel Investigations
- Fraud: Criminal (UK-wide)
- Crime (London)
- Tax: Contentious: Fraud (UK-wide)
- Health and Safety (UK-wide)
BCL stands out from its competitors by being the only firm to be both ranked in all five of these practice areas and top ranked in four of them. In addition, 11 of BCL’s partners are individually ranked as leading lawyers, and BCL is the only firm to have lawyers singled out as Star Individuals in both Fraud: Criminal and Crime.
Chambers UK’s editorial for each practice area is set out below.
Corporate Crime & Investigations
This practice area was included for the first time in last year’s edition of Chambers UK. BCL cements its position as a top tier firm, and is the only firm to have five partners ranked in this practice area, as follows:
- Ian Burton – Band 1
- Brian Spiro – Band 1
- Richard Sallybanks – Band 2
- Harry Travers – Band 2
- Michael Drury CMG – Band 3
In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:
Highly sought after by corporations and senior individuals to advise on issues of criminal liability.
Viewed as a leading cartel defence practice.
“The depth and breadth of the firm’s experience is very impressive indeed.”
In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:
Ian Burton is a highly esteemed white-collar solicitor, with extensive experience of business crime defence. Sources characterise him as a “mastermind,” who “fronts a case with unparalleled judgement” and has the “ability to carry the confidence of the room.”
“Leading practitioner” Brian Spiro is considered a “star” in the field. Sources admire his “calmness under pressure” and “savvy” approach, describing him as “unflappable and realistic.” He is sought after to advise international clients on bribery and corruption issues.
Richard Sallybanks is regularly called upon to handle SFO and OFT investigations. Sources report that he is a “very intelligent and insightful” lawyer, who “brings positive enjoyment to plotting strategy” and whose “commercial background gives him a breadth of knowledge that’s very useful to any client.”
Harry Travers is a highly regarded solicitor whose white-collar practice is “really making waves.” He is particularly active in the field of Bribery Act compliance and, according to sources, “has a fantastic brain on him.”
Michael Drury has recently been engaged to advise on a number of international SFO corruption investigations. Sources value his ability to “anticipate pitfalls and problems,” and “steer a very steady course through choppy criminal waters.”
Fraud: Criminal
BCL remains a top tier firm for this practice area, a position it has maintained for many years. It is also the only firm to have six partners ranked in this practice area, as follows:
- Ian Burton – Star Individual
- Jane Glass – Band 1
- Brian Spiro – Band 1
- Harry Travers – Band 1
- Richard Sallybanks – Band 2
- Guy Bastable – Band 5
In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:
Widely acknowledged as a market-leading business crime practice. Eminently well equipped to handle major international fraud investigations.
“They listen carefully to the client’s concerns and appreciate that in order to have an effective strategy you need to analyse the situation and come up with a measured response that meets the client’s expectations.”
“Their reputation precedes them and they live up to it.”
In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:
“Pre-eminent” practitioner Ian Burton is one of the market’s most influential figures. Sources single him out as somebody who “knows the criminal justice system inside out and has a good nose for positions that might cause difficulties for a prosecutor.” He recently advised Robert Tchenguiz on the now-discontinued SFO investigation that arose from the collapse of Kaupthing Bank. Jane Glass recently defended football manager Harry Redknapp against charges of cheating the revenue, in a trial that resulted in an acquittal on all counts. Sources describe her as “brilliant at client care and strategy,” with “outstanding knowledge.”
Richard Sallybanks is identified as an “understated” practitioner who is “cool in a crisis” and “can handle the media and give savvy business advice.” He is instructed in relation to the collapse of Parmalat.
Sources report that Harry Travers “brings a wealth of experience to defence work and can truly be described as having global reach.” He is frequently sought after to advise prominent individuals on allegations of fraud with cross-jurisdictional implications.
Guy Bastable combines his criminal fraud practice with noted health and safety expertise. He has recently been instructed in a substantial tax fraud.
Brian Spiro has an excellent reputation for handling complex white-collar defence work. Sources describe him as “a very clear-thinking lawyer who brings a distilled and pragmatic approach to his work.”
Corporate Crime & Investigations: Cartel Investigations
As part of a general restructuring of Chambers UK, the former Competition: White-Collar Crime: Cartel Defence table, in which BCL was ranked as a top tier firm in previous years, no longer appears as a section in its own right. Instead, the table now appears as a sub-table of the Corporate Crime & Investigations section (see above) and has been renamed Cartel Investigations. Given the particularly niche nature of this area of law, Chambers UK now only ranks individuals.
Richard Sallybanks is ranked in the top tier in this practice area with Chambers UK stating:
Richard Sallybanks is regularly called upon to handle SFO and OFT investigations. Sources report that he is a “very intelligent and insightful” lawyer, who “brings positive enjoyment to plotting strategy” and whose “commercial background gives him a breadth of knowledge that’s very useful to any client.”
Crime
For the sixth successive year, BCL is top ranked for this practice area and the only firm with six partners appearing in the ranking tables as follows:
- Mark Haslam – Star Individual
- Rachel Hubbard – Band 2
- Paul Morris – Band 2
- Brian Spiro – Band 2
- Jane Glass – Band 3
- Ellen Peart – Band 3
In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:
An acknowledged leader in private representation of clients in high-profile crime matters.
“Nothing was left to chance, background research was methodical and thorough, and support was available at all times.”
“Cases are examined from every angle and there is a marked determination to do the best job. The attention to detail is mind-boggling.”
In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:
The “excellent” Mark Haslam advises on serious criminal matters. He often acts on behalf of well-known sports professionals, and is currently representing footballer Anton Rodgers in charges of indecent assault and voyeurism.
Head of crime Paul Morris knows how to be “reassuring without being unrealistic,” according to clients. Sources identify his strength as providing “strategic advice of the highest calibre.” He represented a former head teacher in a trial on historic sex charges.
Rachel Hubbard stands out for having established a solid heavyweight crime practice. One of her recent cases concerned a murder and serious abuse allegations, where the new defence of ‘loss of control’ was applied.
Brian Spiro is highlighted for his ability to “keep his cool in a crisis,” and for his “very hands-on” approach. He was chosen to act for Kenyan President Kenyatta on the International Criminal Court trial. According to interviewees, Ellen Peart has “a very nice manner with clients” and “no doubt is going places.” She successfully represented a rape trial witness charged with perverting the course of justice.
Jane Glass is a “true criminal lawyer” who is “as hard as nails,” sources comment. After the successful representation of Harry Redknapp, she returned to the media spotlight for her recent defence of Chris Huhne.
Tax: Contentious: Fraud
Once again, BCL is ranked as Band 1 for this practice area with Harry Travers also top-ranked in the individual lawyer tables.
In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:
Cutting-edge expertise in both fraud law and tax law enables the firm to represent clients in a range of civil and criminal tax investigations and prosecutions. Handles a diverse range of matters covering VAT, film investment schemes, offshore accounts and carbon credits.
“They are the best around in this type of work.”
In relation to Harry Travers, Chambers UK states:
Harry Travers heads the firm’s contentious tax and financial regulatory group. Sources label him “an extremely deep thinker” who is “extremely tenacious and will not shirk from any kind of battle.”
Health & Safety
BCL is ranked as Band 4 for this practice area with partner Guy Bastable ranked as Band 2 on an individual basis.
In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:
Well placed to advise on regulatory crime and contentious health and safety matters.
In relation to Guy Bastable, Chambers UK states:
The “very able” Guy Bastable complements his reputation in criminal fraud work with a strong understanding of health and safety issues. “He is a master of detail,” according to admiring sources.