The Legal 500

Russell-Cooke LLP

8 BEDFORD ROW, LONDON, WC1R 4BX, ENGLAND
Tel:
Work 020 7405 6566
Fax:
Fax 020 7831 2565
DX:
112 CHANCERY LANE
Web:
www.russell-cooke.co.uk
Email:

What we say about the firm's legal practice in London

Crime, fraud and licensing

Within Crime, Russell-Cooke LLP is a second tier firm,

Russell-Cooke LLP has a particularly high profile in extradition cases, and in 2010 acted in a successful appeal which had far-reaching implications for extradition proceedings instituted in Albania. Jae Carwardine leads the team, which also advises professionals accused of crimes against people in their care.

Within Fraud: white-collar crime , Russell-Cooke LLP is a third tier firm,

Russell-Cooke LLP has ‘the resources to handle the big work, both in terms of quality people and physical resources’. Jae Carwardine has ‘a no-nonsense, pragmatic approach’. Recent work includes acting on substantial SFO prosecutions, large money laundering cases, and tax, VAT and revenue frauds.

Dispute resolution

Within Commercial litigation Commercial litigation

Within Professional discipline, Russell-Cooke LLP is a third tier firm,

Key clients for the ‘proactive and efficient’ practice at Russell-Cooke LLP include The Law Society, the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Institute of Legal Executives, the Taxation Disciplinary Board, the Architects Registration Board, and the General Dental Council. The ‘massively experiencedPeter Cadman heads the five-partner team, and is praised as ‘a calm but fierce defender’. Matt Bosworth is ‘very able’.

Human resources

Within Employment, tier 8

Russell-Cooke LLP’s team acts for individuals, SMEs and charities. Jane Klauberdeals with difficult situations in a sensitive manner’; and associate Fudia Smartt is ‘going to be a real star’.

Insurance

Within Clinical negligence: claimant, Russell-Cooke LLP is a second tier firm,

Russell-Cooke LLP’s ‘top-quality’ practice has ‘a number of talented individuals’ including team head Deborah Blythe. Recent work includes advising in inquests, and in complex cases relating to brain, spinal, ophthalmic, and birth injury. Janice Gardner has ‘impressive ability to focus’, and ‘enormous experience and perception’. Dominic Fairclough and consultant Terry Lee are also recommended.

Within Personal injury: claimant, tier 4

Deborah Blythe is the key contact at Russell-Cooke LLP, which takes on claims of all sizes. The practice is increasingly involved in inquests.

Private client

Within Charities and not-for-profit , tier 4

The ‘highly capableJames Sinclair Taylor heads the charities and not-for-profit team at Russell-Cooke LLP, which has been advising the Tudor Trust on social investment, and providing the International Youth Hostel Association with governance advice. Andrew Studd is ‘sure footed, and good at finding solutions’, and Mary Cheves is ‘excellent’ on property matters.

Within Contentious trusts and probate, tier 4

Russell-Cooke LLP has a solid practice which covers probate and administration claims, I(PD)A 1975 claims, and Court of Protection work as well as some trust litigation. Alison Regan is ‘exceptional’ in mediating claims, and Richard Frimston provides expertise in cross-border disputes.

Within Family, tier 5

Fiona Read heads the wide-ranging practice at Russell-Cooke LLP, and is ‘a tenacious opponent who handles high-quality work’. James Carroll is also recommended.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, tier 4

Practice head Richard Frimston at Russell-Cooke LLP has considerable expertise in cross-jurisdictional tax planning. Michael Parkinson is also recommended.

Real estate

Within Commercial property, tier 6

Russell-Cooke LLPprovides a first-class, professional service’. The team advised Sirosa Liberty on the £41.5m freehold purchase and leaseback of the Liberty building for an overseas investor. Other clients include Pret A Manager (Europe) and Handelsbanken. Helen Edwards is ‘a strong negotiator’, and Arnold Isaacson is also recommended.

Within Property litigation, tier 4

Russell-Cooke LLP is ‘professional and easy to work with’, and regularly receives referrals from big City firms. Jason Hunter heads the team, which has an excellent client roster in the not-for-profit sector.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms)

Within Sport, tier 6

Russell-Cooke LLP’s ‘excellent’ team advises the British Fencing Association in disciplinary tribunals, and Newcastle United FC is also a client. ‘Excellent strategic thinkerPeter Cadman heads the team, and the ‘hardworking, diligent and brightMatt Bosworth is also recommended.


Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
  • COUNCIL TAX

    In Harrow LBC v Ayiku [2012] EWHC 1200 (Admin) Sales J held that the word “or” in the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, art 3 Class N, had a disjunctive meaning, therefore it was sufficient for the non-British spouse of a foreign student to satisfy one or other of the two conditions, namely being prevented from taking paid employment or being prevented from claiming benefits, in order to qualify as a “relevant person” who was exempted from liability to pay council tax.
    - 11KBW
  • QUEEN’S SPEECH

    Bills already introduced pursuant to the Queen’s Speech on 9 May 2012 include Local Government Finance Bill and Electoral Registration and Administration Bill, both accompanied by Explanatory Notes, which in each case address ECHR compatibility.
    - 11KBW
  • Standards

    In R (Calver) v Adjudication Panel for Wales [2012] EWHC 1172 (Admin) Mr Calver was a member of Manorbier Community Council who successfully challenged the decision of the Panel to dismiss his appeal against a decision by Prembrokeshire County Council Standards Committee censuring him for a number of comments or blogs posted by him on a website he owned and controlled.
    - 11KBW
  • A justified retrospective

    Clive Sheldon - QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation
    - 11KBW
  • Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”)

    In R (Greenwich Community Law Centre) v Greenwich LBC [2012] EWCA Civ 496 the Court of Appeal held that the Council had had “due regard to the PSED when making changes to its funding of community legal advice services”. At para 30 Elias LJ said:
    - 11KBW
  • Public Sector Equality Duty

    Surrey County Council conducted a review of its Library Service. This culminated in a Report to the Council’s Cabinet. The Recommendations in the Report included that there should be consultation about a community-partnership approach at selected Libraries.
    - 11KBW
  • Judicial Review

    The Judgment of Lindblom J in The Manydown Co Ltd v Basingstoke and Deane BC [2012] EWHC 977 (Admin) repays attention. The Claimant sought to challenge by judicial review 2 decisions of the Council: (1) the Council’s refusal to reconsider its position on the development of a site that it owns (and is the subject matter of a Joint Development Partnership Agreement with the Claimant); and (2) a decision of the Council’s Cabinet approving a selection of sites for development which did not include this site.
    - 11KBW
  • The Health and Social Care Act 2012: impact on adult social services

    After its torrid passage through Parliament, the Health and Social Care Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2012. The Act deals principally with healthcare reform, but it also contains some amendments to the legislative framework for social care. It will come into force on a day yet to be appointed by the Secretary of State.
    - 11KBW
  • Immigration update May 2012

    In this issue:
  • Premium service for tier 2 and 5 sponsors to be launched

    A premium service for sponsors will be launched by the UKBA on 6 April 2012. The service is designed specifically for companies that sponsor international employees under tier 2 and 5 of the points based system and aims to provide them with enhanced support.