The Legal 500

51 LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, LONDON, WC2A 3LZ, ENGLAND
Tel:
Work 020 7430 2277
Fax:
Fax 020 7430 1101
DX:
37981 KINGSWAY
Web:
www.bcl.com
Email:

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

Corporate and commercial

Within Customs and Excise, BCL Burton Copeland is a second tier firm,

BCL Burton Copeland has a ‘growing’ profile in customs and excise matters, and is notable for its expertise in fraud and other cases with a criminal dimension. The ‘highly competentHarry Travers delivers ‘imaginative solutions’ to clients’ needs, and is widely respected in the area.

Within Financial services, tier 5

BCL Burton Copeland advises in relation to insider dealing and market abuse matters, and other enforcement action. Ian Burton is ‘hugely experienced’; Richard Sallybanks is ‘extremely good’; and Guy Bastablepossesses a fearsome intellect’.

Crime, fraud and licensing

Within Crime, BCL Burton Copeland is a first tier firm,

BCL Burton Copeland is ‘superlative, and most certainly the one with the greatest strength in depth in its field’. Recent work for practice head Mark Haslam includes acting for high-profile clients in death by dangerous or careless driving cases, and his ‘sense of humour, experience and hard work amount to a masterful combination’. Paul Morris (‘charm on top, hard as nails underneath’) successfully represented a Premier League footballer in an attempted murder case. Ian Burton, Ellen Peart and Rachel Hubbard are also highly recommended.

Within Fraud: civil , BCL Burton Copeland is a third tier firm,

The vastly experienced Harry Travers at BCL Burton Copelandbrings an unrivalled versatility and a deep knowledge of commercial wrongdoing to civil fraud litigation’. The team is increasingly handling large civil fraud cases, and has defended a number of clients in high-value civil proceedings brought by HMRC.

Within Fraud: corporate crime, BCL Burton Copeland is a first tier firm,

The team at BCL Burton Copeland has considerable strength in depth. ‘Consummate team leaderIan Burton is widely thought of as ‘the finest criminal fraud lawyer by a long stretch’; ‘if there is a chance of nipping an investigation in the bud, he will do it’. Praise is also high for Richard Sallybanks. The team recruited Michael Drury, previously of the SFO and more recently director for legal affairs at the Government Communications Headquarters.

Within Fraud: white-collar crime , BCL Burton Copeland is a first tier firm,

BCL Burton Copeland has an outstanding reputation. Harry Travers is ‘an excellent tactician’; Jane Glassbrings in one great result after another’; Brian Spiro is ‘clear thinking, calm, unfussy, and courageous’; and Ian Burton and Richard Sallybanks are also recommended. Recent work includes acting for directors and senior employees involved in the SFO’s separate investigations into Kaupthing Bank, BAE, and Alstom.

Human resources

Within Health and safety, tier 4

BCL Burton Copeland stands out for its focus on the gravest contentious cases, on behalf of the defence, and for ‘doing it with real attention to detail’. Recent clients include Trafigura, in international criminal investigations; an employee of MITIE, in relation to a hospital fatality; and transport, haulage and food preparation clients in relation to fatalities. Guy Bastablecombines intellectual rigour with an unrivalled commitment to each case’.

Public sector

Within Administrative and public law, tier 6

At BCL Burton Copeland, Jane Glass is ‘selfless, devoted and exceptional’, and Michael Drury is a ‘safe pair of hands’.


Legal Developments in the UK

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

    In Nzinga Maswaku v Westminster City Council [2012] EWCA Civ 669 the Court of Appeal clarified that in offering a homeless person with alternative temporary accommodation the local authority is obliged to point that if the offer is refused it has discharged its Part VII duties under the Housing Act 1996.
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  • 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.
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  • Immigration update May 2012

    In this issue: