The Legal 500

Within Crime, Bindmans LLP is a first tier firm,

Bindmans LLP ‘sets the highest standards’ in criminal law, and is for some ‘the best criminal firm in North London’. The two-partner led practice is renowned for defending political protestors, with recent successes including the representation of six Greenpeace activists arrested during the Kingsnorth demonstrations, who were all acquitted. The team also defended Irfan Raja, who was prosecuted for possession of articles for a terrorist purpose. Following on from his representation of Lord Levy in the ‘cash for peerages’ investigation, head of the department Neil O’May (a ‘safe pair of hands’) is instructed by an MP under investigation over an expenses claim. Rhona Freidman is a ‘feisty fighter’ and Neil McInnes is ‘canny and knowledgeable’.

Within Fraud - crime , Bindmans LLP is a second tier firm,

Bindmans LLP successfully represented Lord Levy in the lengthy ‘cash for peerages’ police investigation. Neil O’May is ‘a shrewd and safe pair of hands’.

Within Defamation and privacy, tier 4

Bindmans LLP, under Tamsin Allen, continues to advise politicians as well as other public figures and publications. The firm acted for Emily Thornberry MP in a successful challenge to political leaflets issued by the Liberal Democrats.

Within Professional discipline, Bindmans LLP is a third tier firm,

Bindmans LLP lost employment law specialist Alison Downie to Goodman Derrick LLP at the start of 2008, hiring Shah Qureshi to shore up the team. He recently acted in one of the first cases before The Independent Safeguarding Authority, while John Halford acts as standing adviser to The Association of Child Psychotherapists.

Within Employment -employee/union firms, Bindmans LLP is a third tier firm,

Bindmans LLP hired ‘excellent negotiator’ Shah Qureshi, formerly of Webster Dixon LLP, in 2008. Praised as a ‘good solid union and claimant practice’, the team receives regular instructions on the full gamut of discrimination work. Key clients include Lloyds TSB Trade Union and The Labour Party. Shazia Khan is singled out as ‘very responsive’. Former practice head Alison Downie moved to Goodman Derrick LLP in early 2009.

Within Employment -employee/union firms, Bindmans LLP is a third tier firm,

David Tyme now heads the team at Webster Dixon LLP, following the departure of Shah Qureshi to Bindmans LLP. The practice handles a mix of work for individual claimants, including high-profile senior individuals.

Within Immigration, Bindmans LLP is a third tier firm,

Consistently singled out for praise by clients, Alison Stanley leads the team at Bindmans LLP, which is noted for its ‘reliable and practical advice’. As well as advising on work-related applications, it has acted on a number of high-profile family cases and asylum applications, and is experienced in representing gay and lesbian clients in relation to asylum and immigration needs. The ‘knowledgeable’ Liz Barratt is recommended for her expertise in trafficking cases.

Within Clinical negligence - claimant, tier 4

Lynn Knowles leads the two-partner team at Bindmans LLP, alongside Jon Crocker. It continues to see a high volume of cases brought by brain-injured clients. Key work in 2008 included the complex case of Jay Thompson v The Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, for a child who sustained a significant brain injury and impaired vision as a consequence of a failure to monitor his rising temperature following a cardiac catheterisation procedure. Associate Siobhan Kelly is also recommended.

Within Family, Bindmans LLP is a third tier firm,

Many peers recommend the ‘first-class’ Bindmans LLP ‘without hesitation’. It has an enviable reputation for private and public law children work, and is ‘one of the best, if not the best firm doing care work. Its international child abduction team is rightly admired’. Practice head Katherine Gieve ‘brings keen intelligence, fierce application, acute judgement and clarity of vision to cases’. The group is increasingly taking on money cases. Julia Thackray is also highly recommended. Alison Burt left for Lynch & Co.

Within Administrative and public law, Bindmans LLP is a first tier firm,

As ‘experts in this field’, Bindmans LLP has ‘an unparalleled team’ which is ‘very helpful, efficient and on the ball’. Practice head Stephen Grosz is ‘an excellent analyst of legal problems’, while other standout partners include John Halford, a ‘meticulous and superbly knowledgeable public lawyer - one of the very best in his field’, Saimo Chahal and Tamsin Allen. The claimant-oriented practice recently brought a judicial review against the Director of Public Prosecutions, and represented MPs and peers in an appeal against the Home Secretary.

Within Civil liberties and human rights, Bindmans LLP is a first tier firm,

Bindmans LLP leads the field; its lawyers ‘are virtually unrivalled in human rights and equality matters’ and ‘apply an astute political approach to very complex, often controversial, areas of law’. Practice head Stephen Grosz is ‘a top player in the human rights field’, supported by the ‘tenacious and totally committed’ John Halford. Saimo Chahal is ‘really outstanding’, displaying ‘exceptionally good judgement, understanding of the needs of the client, and the ability to apply objective criteria’, and information law expert Tamsin Allen ‘knows her subject matter inside out’. The practice is representing Debbie Purdy in her high-profile case against the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Within Healthcare, Bindmans LLP is a second tier firm,

At Bindmans LLP, Saimo Chahal has recently brought two human rights cases involving mental patients and another relating to assisted dying to the House of Lords. ‘She gives the most professional, well-organised service’, and is noted for her understanding and communication skills. John Halford is recommended for his expertise in health and community care services.

Within Overview,

Leigh Day & Co maintains its unparalleled reputation for claimant work, while Bindmans LLP continues to lead the field in civil liberties, closely followed by Birnberg Peirce & Partners and Bhatt Murphy Solicitors.

Within Social housing, tier 5

Bindmans LLP’s Saimo Chahal is recommended for her representation of individuals locked in dispute with landlords.

Within Media and entertainment, tier 5

At Bindmans LLP, Tamsin Allen provides pre-publication advice to the New Statesman and the NUJ. Neil O’May advises MGN, ITN and the Telegraph Group.