On 25 September, 2013 The Legal 500 published their 2013 Guide to Law Firms in the United Kingdom. This is one of the leading independent directories of UK legal services in which the UK’s leading firms and lawyers are identified.
In the 2013 edition, BCL has been recommended as a top tier firm in the following practice areas:
- Corporate Crime (including Fraud, Bribery and Corruption)
- Fraud: White-Collar Crime
- Crime: General
Additionally we are recommended as a leading firm in the following practice areas:
- EU and Competition
- Customs and Excise
- Health and Safety
- Administrative and Public Law
On an individual basis, seven BCL partners are listed in The Legal 500’s Leading Lawyers list, their guide to outstanding lawyers nationwide, as follows:
- Ian Burton (Corporate Crime, Fraud: Civil, Fraud: White-Collar Crime)
- Harry Travers (Corporate Crime, Fraud: Civil, Fraud: White-Collar Crime)
- Mark Haslam (Crime: General)
- Richard Sallybanks (Corporate Crime, Fraud: Civil, Fraud: White-Collar Crime)
- Rachel Hubbard (Crime: General)
- Paul Morris (Crime: General)
- Guy Bastable (Health and Safety)
12 BCL lawyers were also recommended in The Legal 500’s editorial, as follows:
- Ian Burton (Corporate Crime, Fraud: White-Collar Crime)
- Harry Travers (Corporate Crime, Customs and Excise, EU and Competition, Fraud: White-Collar Crime)
- Brian Spiro (Corporate Crime)
- Mark Haslam (Crime: General)
- Richard Sallybanks (Corporate Crime, Fraud: White-Collar Crime)
- Jane Glass (Fraud: White-Collar Crime)
- Rachel Hubbard (Crime: General)
- Paul Morris (Crime: General)
- Guy Bastable (Health and Safety)
- Ellen Peart (Crime: General)
- Michael Drury (Administrative and Public Law)
- Robin Booth (Administrative and Public Law)
The Legal 500’s editorial for each practice area in relation to BCL is set out below.
Corporate Crime (including Fraud, Bribery and Corruption)
BCL Burton Copeland’s ‘proactive team’ advised the accountants instructed by the FSA and the Swiss Financial Markets Supervisory Authority on the criminal aspects of their investigation into the $2.3bn losses at UBS incurred as a result of the actions of the rogue trader Kweku Adoboli. Ian Burton is ‘calm’; Brian Spiro is ‘accurate’; Harry Travers is ‘very effective’ and Richard Sallybanks provides ‘very balanced advice’.
Fraud: White-Collar Crime
At BCL Burton Copeland, head of department Ian Burton ‘gets things done’. The firm acted for Robert Tchenguiz in stopping the SFO investigation concerning his alleged involvement in the collapse of Kaupthing Bank. Jane Glass ‘fights ferociously for her clients’; Richard Sallybanks is ‘top class’; and Harry Travers is ‘phenomenally able’.
EU and Competition
For the representation of individuals facing criminal investigation and prosecution for criminal cartel offences, BCL Burton Copeland’s Harry Travers is ‘bright, creative and energetic’.
Crime: General
BCL Burton Copeland’s team provides ‘utterly reliable advice with incredible attention to detail’. Among other high-profile cases, it has been representing Max Clifford in relation to the sexual offences being investigated under Operation Yewtree. Paul Morris and Ellen Peart are praised for their ‘razor-sharp intellects’ and Mark Haslam for his ‘spot-on’ advice. Rachel Hubbard is ‘first class’.
Customs and Excise
BCL Burton Copeland handles tax fraud cases through its business crime and regulation department. Harry Travers is a key contact.
Health and Safety
BCL Burton Copeland’s practice is led by well-respected practitioner Guy Bastable, who specialises in business crime, regulatory enforcement, serious crime and compliance. The practice also includes fire safety matters, and corporate and gross negligence manslaughter cases.
Administrative and Public Law
BCL Burton Copeland’s ‘very client-friendly’ team gives ‘sound strategic advice’. Michael Drury is ‘particularly good at advising companies as regards their relations with government’. General counsel Robin Booth is ‘very knowledgeable and hardworking’.