Chambers UK Client’s Guide to the Legal Profession 2015

Chambers UK Client’s Guide to the Legal Profession 2015

On 30 October 2014, Chambers & Partners published the 2015 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 2015 edition, BCL has been ranked as a top tier / leading firm in the following practice areas:

  • Financial Crime: Individuals (London)
  • Crime (London)
  • Financial Crime: Individuals: Cartel Investigations (UK-wide)
  • POCA Work and Asset Forfeiture (UK-wide)
  • Tax: Contentious: Fraud (UK-wide)
  • Health and Safety (UK-wide)

BCL stands out from its competitors by being the only firm to be ranked in all six of these practice areas and top-ranked in five of them. In addition, 11 of BCL’s partners are individually ranked as leading individuals, more than any other firm across these six practice areas.

Chambers UK’s editorial for each practice area is set out below.

Financial Crime: Individuals

BCL is ranked as a top tier firm and is the only firm to have seven partners ranked, including four top-ranked, in this practice area – more than any other firm. Those ranked are as follows:

  • Ian Burton – Band 1
  • Jane Glass – Band 1
  • Brian Spiro – Band 1
  • Harry Travers – Band 1
  • Richard Sallybanks – Band 2
  • Michael Drury – Band 3
  • Guy Bastable – Band 4

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:

Leading criminal boutique with outstanding expertise in handling financial crime matters on behalf of high-profile individuals. Impressive experience in cases involving cross-border fraud and corruption allegations.

In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:

Ian Burton is head of the business crime and regulation department. He is a seasoned practitioner in the area and regularly represents high-profile individuals in significant investigations. He offers expertise in domestic and international financial crime issues such as fraud, money laundering, tax, and bribery and corruption.

Praised for his “strategic judgement,” Brian Spiro is recognised by the market as being “a true criminal lawyer.” He regularly handles cases brought by the SFO, HMRC and CPS, and has experience in international matters.

Jane Glass is well versed in representing individuals in investigations conducted by HMRC and the SFO. She impresses peers and clients alike with her skills in handling complex and sensitive financial crime matters.

Harry Travers is highly regarded by the financial crime market. He offers particular expertise in fraud and tax law, and has handled a number of major SFO investigations.

Richard Sallybanks is rated for his abilities in representing individuals in the financial crime arena. Peers say: “He is really super – he is responsive, clients really like him and he has gravitas.”

Michael Drury is praised for his mastery of complex financial crime cases. Sources note: “He has demonstrated that he is fearless when dealing with the SFO and FCA, and other international investigating agencies.” He is recognised for his deep experience in criminal investigations and is said to be “excellent in giving firm, but good advice, with the client’s best interest at heart.”

Guy Bastable specialises in financial crime, fraud, corporate crime and regulatory issues. He has experience of internal and external investigations. Areas of expertise include insider dealing, money laundering and bribery and corruption matters.

Crime

BCL is top-ranked for this practice area and once again has six partners appearing in the ranking tables as follows:

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

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:

Pre-eminent criminal law practice. Excellent reputation domestically and internationally. Represents privately funded clients in high-profile and technically complex cases.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):

“They are very professional, highly experienced and determined to do a good job for the client.”
“BCL handles the client superbly; they are patient, supportive and tactically astute.”

In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers UK states:

Sources describe Mark Haslam as “extremely able and very polished.” He has an outstanding reputation in the market and is recognised for representing high-profile clients.

Paul Morris heads the firm’s criminal law department. Peers note that “he is brilliant with clients: wise, supportive and yet appropriately tough and tactically savvy.”

Jane Glass has a strong reputation in the criminal defence arena. She regularly acts for prominent figures in complex, large-scale trials.

The highly regarded Ellen Peart is considered a talented criminal practitioner. Clients report that “she is particularly good at advising on sensitive matters, which involve a more human touch.”

Rachel Hubbard has a wealth of experience in criminal law. Sources admire her ability to manage large cases, reporting that they “do not faze her at all. She sees the size of the task, gets on with it and sees how to allocate time best.”

Peers identify Brian Spiro as “an excellent all-round criminal lawyer.” His practice straddles general crime and criminal fraud.

Financial Crime: Individuals: Cartel Investigations

BCL is ranked as a top tier firm with partner Richard Sallybanks top-ranked.

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:

Undisputed strength in high-level cartel defence. Regularly instructed in heavyweight cross-border investigations.

In relation to Richard Sallybanks, Chambers UK states:

Richard Sallybanks is widely recognised as a standout practitioner in the field. He is highly sought after by senior figures at top-tier companies for his expertise in handling major investigations.

POCA Work and Asset Forfeiture

BCL is ranked as a top tier firm with partner Richard Sallybanks top-ranked.

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:

Market-leading practice. Well equipped to handle the full range of proceeds of crime matters for corporate clients and private individuals. Frequently advises on anti-money laundering measures under POCA.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):

“They are very good at getting things dealt with very quickly.”

In relation to Richard Sallybanks, Chambers UK states:

Richard Sallybanks has been involved in numerous state agency investigations and associated restraint and confiscation proceedings. Peers report that “he knows the law inside out, he’s brilliant with the clients and very strategic in his thinking. He has a really good feel for how state agencies function.”

Tax: Contentious: Fraud

BCL is again top-ranked for this practice area with Harry Travers also ranked as Band 1 in the leading individual rankings.

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:

Represents clients across a wide range of criminal and civil tax fraud matters relating to both direct and indirect taxation. Offers particular expertise in working with clients subject to HMRC investigations concerning the legitimacy of tax avoidance activity.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):

“There is a rich seam of experience running through the whole team. Nothing seems to faze them.”

In relation to Harry Travers, Chambers UK states:

The “enormously versatile” Harry Travers is head of the firm’s contentious tax and financial regulatory group. He “is an exceptionally good lawyer who will look at all avenues to fight for his clients,” says one source.

Health and Safety

BCL is ranked as Band 4 for this practice area and partner Guy Bastable maintains his Band 2 ranking on an individual basis.

In relation to the firm, Chambers UK states:

What the team is known for:

Focuses exclusively on contentious matters undertaken on a privately funded basis. Leans towards heavyweight matters that are high-profile and complicated in nature. Cases include incidents of fatality and corporate manslaughter.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients):

“A niche firm with the experience and presence in the market.”
“They have strength in depth and have an army that can be called upon within the firm to deal with criminal and regulatory matters.”

In relation to Guy Bastable, Chambers UK states:

Guy Bastable recently acted for the London Borough of Southwark during the Lakanal House fire inquest. Peers say he is “an incredibly driven solicitor who does everything humanly possible for his clients.”