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The ‘experienced, committed and well-run’ team at Blackfords LLP has particular expertise in serious crime, complex fraud and money laundering. Highly respected department head Gary Bloxsome led for one of the defendants in the ‘Cardiff Three’ corruption trials (R v Perriam). Other cases included R v Kinghorn, concerning the murder of a South London teenager. Trevor Francis is ‘tactically brilliant’.

Edward Hayes LLP’s team is ‘top of the range’ and ‘responds to clients’ queries with absolute precision’. Christopher Hayes jointly heads the team with Maria Monan, and acted in the high-profile murder cases of R v Corcoran and R v Ayres. Monan’s highlights included representing defendants prosecuted under ‘Operation Ballack’, a complex money laundering investigation.

Joanne Gibbons’ team at IBB (Iliffes Booth Bennett) has expertise in criminal fraud matters, and provides clients ‘with a comprehensive, experienced service’. Recent work includes defending a client prosecuted in the parliamentary expenses scandal, and a case involving the murder of a victim with a Mach-10 submachine gun. Paul Mason is ‘calm and authoritative’; Anil Rajani has ‘a quick mind and is attentive to detail’.

Blake Lapthorn’s crime team is ‘first class in all respects’. Tim Williamson heads the motoring offences group, which has a strong reputation defending motorists accused of speeding and drink driving, as well as handling cases prosecuted by the DVLA. The firm’s business regulatory team defends clients under investigation by regulatory bodies including the FSA and HSE.

DMH Stallard LLP undertakes public sector prosecution work for the London Borough of Croydon, recently representing it in various knife crime, benefit fraud and food safety cases. The team also defends private clients in general criminal matters such as computer misuse matters and motoring offence appeals.

Darbys Solicitors LLP successfully petitioned the CPS to discontinue a case against a schoolteacher accused of assaulting a pupil. Other highlights included the preparation of a High Court appeal in a case involving the acquisition of criminal property. Jim Astle heads the team.

John Roberts heads Gullands Solicitors’ crime team and represented defendants in two Fraud Prosecution Service cases, as well as defending an HMRC prosecution involving conspiracy to defraud. The team also undertakes advocacy for prisoners at parole board hearings.

Harvey Ingram Borneos undertakes defence and prosecution work for clients such as the RSPCA and G4S. The team defended an alleged ringleader of the August 2011 riots in Milton Keynes, and acted for a German company accused of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Taylor Haldane Barlex’s reputation continues to grow following its acquisition of BTMK’s well-established crime team in May 2011, defending clients in Magistrates Court, Crown Court and Court Martial proceedings. Recent cases include R v Mark Richards & Others, concerning a gang of serial armed robbers; and R v David Mason, a prosecution of boiler room fraud involving plea bargaining with the FSA.

Simon Becker of Tees Solicitors defends clients across a range of criminal cases, including prosecutions brought by the HSE, DEFRA and the FSA. In 2011 he secured the acquittal of a defendant charged with Class A drug offences at St Albans Crown Court.

Woodfines LLP’s crime team, managed by Chris Hallsworth, handled cases involving reckless arson and death by careless driving in 2011. The Milton Keynes team includes several lawyers with higher rights of audience, notably Niall Quinn QC.

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