HILL HOUSE, 1 MINT WALK, CROYDON, CR0 1EA
- Tel:
- Work 020 8686 6232
- Fax:
- Fax 020 8681 5078
- DX:
- 2617 CROYDON
- Web:
- www.blackfords.com
- Email:
This Croydon 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 and civil partnership law.
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 office in Croydon, it operates from offices in Woking and Temple, central London. 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 last year include the expansion of the firm’s in-house solicitor-advocate team, so that virtually all Crown Court work is now undertaken within the firm. An application for membership of the VHCC (Very High Cost Case) Panel was successful and the continued development of the family team in Woking goes from strength to strength.
Now a member of the VHCC Panel, Blackfords’ 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, Appeal Panel of the LSC’s Complex Case Unit, the Law Society’s Children’s Panel, the Association of Lawyers for Children, Family Law Panel, Resolution, and Collaborative Law. 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 BERR (formerly the DTI), HM Revenue & Customs, Crown Prosecution Service Special Casework Team, 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.
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 included employers’ duties under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, including improvement notices, prohibition notices and manslaughter.
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 specilaisms.
The firm is also a leader in the field of child care and has many international clients through its expertise in adoption.
Blackfords will continue its growth in all areas over the coming year, by building on its links with the top 50 City firms.
Breakdown of work
Serious crime 50
General crime 30
Family and child care law 20
Above material supplied by Blackfords LLP.
Global statistics
| Worldwide Partners | 6 |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Fee-earners | 40 |
| Worldwide Staff | 39 |
| UK Staff | 39 |
Office statistics
| Partners | 3 |
|---|---|
| Fee-earners | 26 |
| Assistants | 12 |
| Trainees | 2 |
| Staff | 38 |
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