Chambers & Partners have now published the 2008 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 (Best of the UK)
- Fraud: Criminal: Corporate (Best of the UK)
- Competition: White-Collar Crime: Cartel Defence
- Crime
- Health & Safety (Best of the UK)
It is worthy of note that BCL Burton Copeland is the only firm in the UK to have a partner ranked as a star individual in the table of leading individuals for Fraud: Criminal (Best of the UK) as well as in the table of leading individuals for Crime.
Fraud: Criminal (Best of the UK) and Fraud: Criminal: Corporate (Best of the UK)
In relation to Fraud: Criminal (Best of the UK), the firm is ranked joint top of the table of leading firms in the UK. In addition, five of our partners are included in the table of leading individuals in the UK, as follows:
- Ian Burton – Star individual
- Brian Spiro – Band 1
- Harry Travers – Band 1
- Jane Glass – Band 2
- Robin Booth – Band 3
In relation to Fraud: Criminal: Corporate (Best of the UK), the firm is again ranked top of the table of leading firms in the UK.
In relation to the firm, the directory states:
When it comes to fraud, this team is fantastic, say rivals. Bar and peers alike acknowledge that this firm is at the forefront of the market, while barristers note that the team’s partners relate well to clients and can think outside the box. One of the largest teams in the UK, market sources point to the deep pedigree of the outfit, which has operated at the top of the tree for more than 15 years. The team focuses on defending those accused of, or being investigated for, commercial fraud, financial regulation and tax investigations. It also defends prosecutions brought by the SFO, CPS and DTI and is a favourite for referrals among City law firms when dealing with senior employees and directors accused of misfeasance. It is involved in many of the juiciest cases in the sector, often succeeding where others fail: as an illustration, the team secured the only acquittal out of nine defendants in the customs prosecution of a mobile telephone carousel/MTIC fraud totalling 55 million. The team has also secured a role advising an individual implicated in the fuel surcharges investigation by the OFT.
In relation to our partners, the directory states:
Key to much of the firm’s success in the area is Ian Burton‘s ensconced and deep experience of running a business that specialises in this area of law. Described as a magnificent rainmaker, founding partner Burton sets the tone on cases. A star performer, some market sources style him a pioneer in this area of law and head and shoulders above almost everyone in the area of white-collar crime. His client drawing influence is also the subject of admiration. Burton is heading up the team defending the jockey Kieran Fallon in race fixing allegations.
Colleague Brian Spiro is a fantastic lawyer who clients will have every confidence in; he inspires trust very quickly indeed, say barristers. Peers also say that Spiro is a very experienced lawyer, great to deal with, and reliable. What sets him apart is his business sense and the way he is with clients. He focuses on business crime litigation and fraud investigations and has developed a reputation for advising and representing media organisations and high-profile individuals.
Harry Travers enjoys an excellent reputation; his work covers a wide range of fraud and money laundering matters.
With a long and steady record of great work, Jane Glass is a lawyer who devotes herself to clients’ interests with tenacity.
Former head of the fraud division at the CPS, Robin Booth focuses on defending allegations of fraud, corruption and money laundering. Peers note that he’s a very wise man, and sharply analytical, while his experience at the CPS brings a different perspective to the matters he handles; having formerly acted on the other side of the law, peers say that he has earned his stripes and has become a true defence lawyer.
Competition: White-Collar Crime: Cartel Defence
The directory identifies five firms, including BCL Burton Copeland, as the leading firms in the practice area of Competition: White-Collar Crime: Cartel Defence. In relation to the firm, the directory states:
Clearly ahead in this niche area, BCL Burton Copeland has built a strong practice in complex white-collar criminal cases. Regularly seen acting for claimants in cartel mandates, the firm wins praise across the market for its assured handling of such matters. Its lawyers also regularly advise clients who have been the victims of fraud, and call upon the services of various outside professionals, including forensic accountants … Ian Burton is the firm’s primary contact for cartel defence issues.
Crime
In relation to Crime, the directory again identifies BCL Burton Copeland as one of the leading firms and ranks two of our partners (Mark Haslam and Rachel Hubbard) in the table of leading individuals, with Mark Haslam again being ranked as astar individual, sharing the top position. The directory states:
Although this firm’s name is synonymous with defending allegations of fraud, it still manages to retain a quality general crime practice thanks to the presence of individuals such as Mark Haslam, who has a superb practice. He has a substantial motoring and general crime practice and is currently representing Steve Wright, the man accused of murdering five prostitutes in Ipswich.
Plaudits continue to rain down on Rachel Hubbard, whose understanding of forensics and medical defence has led to many an acquittal for her clients. Peers refer to Hubbard as part of a new breed coming through the ranks; she also benefits from a reputation for being “hard-working, with a lovely manner” and “destined for great things.”
Health & Safety (Best of the UK)
In relation to Health & Safety (Best of the UK), the firm cements its position as one of the leading firms in the UK with one of our partners, Harry Travers, being ranked as one of the leading individuals in the UK.
In relation to the firm, the directory states:
This small practice is hailed as a truly dedicated white-collar crime unit. It has a long-standing history of representing clients in relation to fraud, fiscal offences and other disciplinary proceedings. Sources commend the team, stating that it has a true regulatory practice and a strong grip on health and safety issues. The team recently successfully defended a corporate manslaughter prosecution in relation to a case in which animal by-products had been used in production. Harry Travers is well reputed for his attention to detail and depth of experience in relation to fraud.