This London and South East practice is a leading criminal firm, including fraud and serious and high-profile cases. It also provides specialist family law services, with notable expertise in child care.
The firm: Blackfords LLP was established in 2007 as a result of the merger of Robert Blackford & Co, founded in 1951, and Francis Lovett, which was set up in 2000. The practice has in excess of 50 staff and is known for carrying out high-quality as well as high-volume work. As well as its main offices in Croydon and Woking, the firm also has offices in Central London and Cardiff. The firm enjoys an excellent national and international reputation and is known for combining creative solutions and success with a friendly, sensitive approach.
Blackfords benefits from many solicitor referrals. Clients include a variety of businesses and government departments, as well as individuals. Legal aid and privately funded work is undertaken.
Developments over the past year include the expansion of the firm’s family team and its relocation to its Woking office. Establishment of the office in Cardiff has been a success, with a number of high-profile serious crime cases run from that office.
Blackfords is accredited under the VHCC arrangements and its lawyers belong to a variety of legal bodies, including the Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates, London Criminal Court Solicitors Association (LCCSA), Criminal Law Solicitors Association (CLSA), the Serious Fraud Association, Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers, Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association, Appeal Panel of the LSC’s Complex Case Unit, the Law Society’s Children’s Panel and the Association of Lawyers for Children. The firm undertakes agency work for other solicitors at all local criminal and family courts.
Types of work undertaken: The firm handles cases in all courts from the Magistrates or Youth Court to the Crown Court, through to the Court of Appeal, House of Lords and the European Court of Justice or European Court of Human Rights. Advice is given regarding investigations by a range of official bodies, including the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), FSA, BERR (formerly the DTI), HM Revenue & Customs, Crown Prosecution Service Special Casework Team and Fraud Prosecution Division, the Inland Revenue Special Compliance Unit, as well as the police. Arrest, complex criminal proceedings leading to trial, handling press intrusion, regulatory investigation and confiscation proceedings are also dealt with. The firm is involved in many of the largest ongoing cases being prosecuted by the SFO, FSA and Customs and Excise.
Financial Services Authority criminal and regulatory investigations are a major specialism, from insider share trading to the mis-selling of pensions and disciplinary matters relating to ‘approved persons’ or authorised firms. Money laundering is a specialism, including charges under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and matters relating the Money Laundering Regulations.
Health and safety assistance includes employers’ duties under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, including improvement notices, prohibition notices and manslaughter. Inquests are undertaken.
Trading offences include cases under the Trade Descriptions Act and the Trade Marks Act. Allegations include counterfeiting and breaches of copyright. Enforcement of the Food Safety and Environmental Protection legislation are handled. Noise pollution and dangerous buildings are areas of expertise. Motoring and traffic offences are also dealt with.
The family team has expertise in all areas, from domestic violence and complex matrimonial financial disputes to divorces, separation and mediation. Civil partnerships, their creation, associated pre-nuptial agreements and dissolution are also specialisms.
The firm is also a leader in the field of child care and has many international clients through its expertise in adoption.
Other offices: Woking, Central London and Cardiff
Breakdown of work %
Serious crime 50
General crime 30
Family and child care law 20
Number of UK partners 3
Number of other UK fee-earners 38
Above material supplied by Blackfords LLP.