Gary Bloxsome > Blackfords LLP > Croydon, England > Lawyer Profile

Blackfords LLP houses a leading criminal defence practice, which acts for both legal aid and private clients, with the team often appearing before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. One of the group’s standout features is its vast experience in very high cost cases (VHCCs), and its proficiency in serious fraud matters, an area which managing partner Trevor Francis is a specialist. Co-leading the firm’s financial crime team, Gary Bloxsome is noted for his handling of allegations of money laundering and corruption, and his niche expertise in electoral cases and matters involving allegations of war crimes. Lauded for her work before youth courts, Diana Payne heads the general crimes practice, and is recommended by clients for her ‘rapier sharp tactical skills’. Hannah Giles handles the full gamut of violent crime, sexual offences, and gang crime, while Lucinda Shand represents clients in all stages of an investigation and prosecution, being particularly knowledgeable in international arrest warrants.

‘Real star in the sector’ Gary Rubin has significant expertise in HSE investigation matters, as well as those involving gross negligence and corporate manslaughter elements, and leads the practice at Blackfords LLP. The team represents individual defendants, as well as company defendants, facing prosecution following often fatal accidents in the workplace. Matters are often high-profile and span the range of industry sectors, with the healthcare and rail sectors being key focus areas. Further names to note in the team include Trevor Francis and Gary Bloxsome.

Gary Bloxsome and Daniel Cundy jointly oversee the white-collar crime offering at Blackfords LLP, which regularly acts for clients in bribery and corruption, investment fraud, insider trading, and money laundering investigations and proceedings. Bloxsome, ‘a giant of the legal profession‘, leads on domestic and international fraud investigations, while the ‘exceptionally bright‘ Cundy handles corruption, tax, and proceeds of crime matters. Recently, the group has seen increased activity related to election expenses and political campaign finance issues. Managing partner Trevor Francis has a broad practice that spans electoral fraud and cybercrime, in addition to serious fraud matters. Also in the core team is ‘utterly committed‘ in-house barrister Rachel Wilson, who specialises in fraud, money laundering, and misconduct in public office cases; Naureen Shariff, lauded by clients as a ‘superstar‘; and Jennifer Richardson, who has a notable focus on mortgage, Ponzi, and carousel frauds.

Blackfords LLP has notable health and social care sector experience. It also represents serving police and MoD police personnel in misconduct proceedings; acts for solicitors in SRA investigations; and advises football professionals facing sexual abuse allegations of a historic nature. Gary Rubin is ‘one of the leading lights among professional discipline lawyers’; Trevor Francis regularly assists with professional disciplinary hearings; and Gary Bloxsome and Jo Kaucher ‘provide excellent service to police officers facing regulatory proceedings’. The department further comprises social care expert Philip Williams, while Jennifer Richardson‘s recent caseload includes acting for medical professionals in relation to misconduct allegations.

The Blackfords LLP criminal defence, serious crime and serious fraud has a very broad offering covering cases concerning sexual abuse, possession of firearms, murder, supply of class A substances, arson, perjury in military service inquiries, amongst other matters. The team is co-led by Gary Bloxsome and Trevor Francis. Bloxsome, a ‘giant of criminal litigation’, is known as ‘a great judge of tactics’ with ‘a very loyal client following’. Francis, ‘a true warrior who knows how to use all the items in his armoury’, specialises in complex fraud cases as well as sexual assault and murder. At the senior associate level, Jennifer Richardson is a key individual to note.