Chambers UK Client’s Guide to the Legal Profession, 2010

Chambers UK Client’s Guide to the Legal Profession, 2010

Chambers & Partners have now published the 2010 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 following practice areas:

  • Fraud: Criminal (UK-wide)
  • Fraud: Criminal: Corporate (UK-wide)
  • Competition: White-Collar Crime: Cartel Defence (London)
  • Crime (London)
  • Tax: Contentious: Fraud (London & UK-wide)
  • Health & Safety (London & UK-wide)
  • Fraud: Civil (London)

For yet another year BCL Burton Copeland has a partner ranked as a Star Individual in the table of leading individuals for Fraud: Criminal (UK-wide) and in the table of leading individuals for Crime.

The directory’s editorial for each practice area is set out below.

Fraud: Criminal

Fraud: Criminal: Corporate

In relation to Fraud: Criminal and Fraud: Criminal: Corporate, the firm is once again ranked at the top of the table of leading firms in the UK.  Additionally, seven of our partners are included in the Fraud: Criminal table of leading individuals in the UK, as follows:

  • Ian Burton – Star Individual
  • Jane Glass – Band 1
  • Brian Spiro – Band 1
  • Harry Travers – Band 1
  • Robin Booth – Band 2
  • Guy Bastable – Band 4
  • Richard Sallybanks – Band 4

In relation to the firm, the directory states:

Unquestionably one of the leaders in the field, this firm has a remarkable reputation for impeccable client care and expertise.  It covers every aspect of criminal fraud, ranging from complex financial fraud allegations and criminal asset recovery to corruption.  Recent cases include  a £100 million tax fraud and the representation of a senior Balfour Beatty executive in SFO investigations.  Sources say: The team has a wealth of experience and a flair for multi-jurisdictional litigation.

In relation to our partners, the directory states:

Brian Spiro is currently representing Bank of America employees in Italian proceedings concerning the bankruptcy of Parmalat.  Peers say he is a good client handler who instils confidence.  Ian Burton is singled out for his superlative judgement and is outstanding at overseeing the strategic development of complex cases.  He wins praise for his ability to handle an amazing range of clients and keep everyone relaxed, while Jane Glass has a reputation for developing extremely productive relationships with her clients.  She is currently acting for the lead defendant in a substantial Defra prosecution. 

Harry Travers is fiercely intelligent and uniquely versatile in his ability to work on the crossover of crime and tax.  He recently acted for senior executives accused of evading anti-dumping duty and successfully represented an individual in an allegation of conspiracy to defraud the Inland Revenue through offshore vehicles. 

Robin Booth was previously the head of the CPS fraud division, and is well versed in advising clients on issues pertinent to corruption, money laundering and asset forfeiture.  His recent work includes representing a CEO in confiscation proceedings and clients affected by cash seizures. 

Former barrister Guy Bastable wins much peer praise for his focus on insider dealing, market abuse and money laundering. Richard Sallybanks’ practice is geared towards dealing with investigations and prosecutions by the SFO, the FSA and the OFT.

Competition: White-Collar Crime: Cartel Defence

BCL Burton Copeland is identified as one of the four leading firms in the practice area of Competition: White-Collar Crime: Cartel Defence.  In relation to the firm, the directory states:

This firm’s business crime and regulation department handles all cartel defence work.  It is currently acting for a former senior manager of British Airways in connection with the global cargo flight fuel surcharges cartel.  It also acted for former directors of a generic drug company who were to appear as witnesses in the SFO case regarding price fixing in the supply of drugs to the NHS.  Richard Sallybanks is the main contact for this work.

Crime

In relation to Crime, the directory once more lists BCL Burton Copeland at the top of the table of leading firms and ranks five of our partners as leading individuals, as follows:

  • Mark Haslam – Star Individual
  • Rachel Hubbard – Band 2
  • Jane Glass – Band 3
  • Paul Morris – Band 3
  • Brian Spiro – Band 4

The directory states:

This firm focuses exclusively on private client work and offers top-class expertise in all general crime matters.  It is renowned for providing a bespoke service to high net worth clients from the sports, entertainment and media industries.  Sources say: the team was immensely creative in exploring every avenue possible to try to prevent the case even coming to trial, but once at trial it ran everything incredibly smoothly.

In respect of our partners, the directory states:

Mark Haslam is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest criminal defence lawyers around.  He is consistently instructed on high-profile cases, such as representing Steven Wright in the ‘Suffolk Murders’ case.  Rachel Hubbard was also involved in this brief and specialises in medical and forensic matters; she frequently defends sex cases, homicides and drug offences. 

Paul Morris leaves no stone unturned for his clients, particularly when it comes to searching for witnesses that all other parties have given up on locating.  He recently ensured the acquittal of a senior member of Merrill Lynch charged with serious assault, and of an individual facing serious sexual abuse allegations. 

In an impressive year, Brian Spirorepresented Amy Winehouse in a series of criminal charges.  Jane Glass is greatly respected for the committed approach she applies to her cases.

Tax: Contentious: Fraud

Having entered the table last year as a leading firm in Tax: Contentious: Fraud this position continues and again Harry Traversis ranked as a leading individual.

In relation to the firm, the directory states:

This niche white-collar crime firm remains an excellent choice for contentious tax matters, fielding lawyers with strong experience in tax investigations and litigation.  The team handles civil and criminal investigations into direct and indirect tax matters, and has had great success defending individuals against prosecutions brought by HMRC.  Harry Travers‘ wide-ranging practice includes significant expertise in contentious tax fraud matters.  He is widely respected as a highly astute practitioner with deep insight into how the Revenue works.

Health & Safety

The firm continues to rise in both the table of leading firms and leading individuals in respect of two of our partners, Harry Travers and Guy Bastable.

In relation to the firm, the directory states:

The health and safety team at this market-leading criminal law firm unsurprisingly concentrates its efforts on contentious work, bringing ample experience in large criminal investigations to the table.  Guy Bastable reassures clients by remaining calm and in complete control at all times.  Harry Travers works alongside Bastable in the London office.  He is recognised for his experience in criminal cases as someone you’d want to have by your side if the police come knocking.

Fraud: Civil

BCL Burton Copeland this year enters the table of leading firms, with Harry Travers ranked as a leading individual.

In relation to the firm, the directory states:

Providing a holistic approach to litigation, Harry Travers of BCL Burton Copeland has the ability to handle both the civil and criminal aspects of fraud disputes.  He is increasingly involved in carousel fraud defence work, where his incredibly sharp mind, sound commercial judgement and client-friendly manner are praised.