Ian Burton > BCL Solicitors LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

BCL Solicitors LLP
51 LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS
LONDON
WC2A 3LZ
England

Work Department

Business crime and regulation; serious and general crime.

Position

Ian Burton is a senior partner and founder of BCL Solicitors. Having worked on most of the significant business crime investigations and prosecutions brought by the UK authorities over the last 25 years, he has unrivalled strategic judgement and experience. He is internationally recognised as the pre-eminent adviser in high-profile criminal representation.

Ian has a reputation as a masterful problem solver providing discreet, prompt and clear advice to high-profile and high net-worth individuals, CEOs, corporations, heads of government and government bodies on complex and sensitive issues. His cases involve commercial fraud, international financial regulation, money-laundering, corruption, sanctions, price-fixing, extradition, tax and company investigations including acting in two of the largest back duty tax investigations ever conducted by the HMRC.

Outside of the traditional areas of practice, Ian often works alongside high profile heads of corporations as a personal adviser; looking after their personal interests away from their obligations as a majority shareholder. His unique skillset and experience provides clients with the strategic oversight they often require, managing complex ligation including commercial and personal disputes, settlement negotiation and international, multi-jurisdictional arbitration.

With a career spanning nearly 50 years, Ian has amassed a considerable network of skilled professionals to call upon including overseas lawyers, accountants, tax and media advisers allowing him to bring together the best team required, no matter the crisis or location for the client.

“Ian Burton is probably the best white-collar criminal solicitor in London,” enthuses a leading barrister adding: “He is the doyen of financial crime.”

“He’s simply fantastic – he has an extraordinary wealth of experience to draw upon and the wisdom of Solomon,” says a client.

Another client comments: “Ian Burton has a huge and well-deserved reputation as the leading figure for high-profile criminal representation. He is a deep strategic thinker and has an unbelievable depth of experience.”

A market insider reports that “Over the years Ian has appeared in numerous cases working with high-profile politicians, businessmen and celebrities. He has vast experience and good judgement, he is an extremely safe pair of hands when it comes to managing complex or difficult cases.”

Career

Trained Copeland Glickman qualified 1971; founded Burton Copeland 1982. Established Burton Copeland London in 1991, later becoming fully independent and named BCL Solicitors LLP.

Memberships

International Bar Association; American Bar Association; Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers; Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association.

Lawyer Rankings

London > Dispute resolution > Tax litigation and investigations

BCL Solicitors LLP has key strength at the intersection of fraud law and tax law, with a record of acting on complex and high-stakes matters. Lead partner Harry Travers, ‘one of the smartest lawyers in his field’, has a sophisticated fraud practice in addition to a long record in tax avoidance litigation. Firm founder Ian Burton and ‘expert in financial and tax crime’ John Binns are core team members. Senior associate Greg Mailer is also a name to note.

London > Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals)

(Hall of Fame)

Ian BurtonBCL Solicitors LLP

Counting CEOs, politicians, and business leaders among its client base, the ‘incredibly imaginative’ BCL Solicitors LLP team regularly advises on SFO and financial crime investigations. The group routinely acts for individuals across industries ranging from energy to banking, demonstrating in-depth expertise in everything from money laundering, to tax investigations, to Russian sanction issues. Richard Sallybanks leads the business crime and regulation division, deploying a ‘global view’ to international fraud and bribery investigations, while Ian Burton has 40 years’ experience handling corruption and extradition matters for domestic and international clients. Harry Travers has an eye for ‘meticulous detail’, regularly assisting individuals involved in contentious tax proceedings and commercial fraud, while Shula de Jersey is an expert on financial crime. Michael Drury is knowledgeable on data and information law issues, and Julian Hayes supports clients in SFO and FCA actions. Shaul Brazil has specialist knowledge in criminal and civil fraud cases, and John Binns specialises in asset forfeiture and complex sanction matters. Anoushka Warlow, Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky and Hannah Raphael are also recommended.