BCL Solicitors LLP

Daniel is a partner specialising in serious and general criminal litigation. He is highly experienced in acting for individuals being investigated and prosecuted for sexual, dishonesty, violence, drugs and road traffic offences. He defends professional clients, such as sports stars and media personalities, facing high-profile and complex criminal matters. Daniel regularly provides expert legal advice and assistance to those being interviewed under caution by the police and other investigatory agencies. He represents individuals subject to disciplinary and regulatory action by educational establishments, as well as sporting associations and bodies.

David Hardstaff

David Hardstaff is a partner in BCL’s serious and general crime department, specialising in criminal litigation, professional discipline, controlled drug licensing, and proceeds of crime. He has particular experience in representing individuals accused of sexual offences, drugs offences and offences involving violence. He is an experienced police station representative and advocate, representing clients in a wide range of proceedings at the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court and Court of Appeal. Regularly acting for professionals and high-profile individuals, he has a reassuring appreciation of the pressures and strains that clients face when subject to investigation. He also advises witnesses, corporates and broadcasters involved in criminal proceedings on matters such as reputation management and public relations. In addition to his busy criminal practice, David advises companies and institutions in the cannabis industry. He is experienced in the Home Office controlled drug licensing system and in advising businesses (from start-ups to multinationals) in relation to proceeds of crime considerations.

Ellen Peart

Ellen Peart is a partner at BCL and is recognised as a leading individual specialising in serious and complex criminal litigation in relation to matters including serious sexual offences, homicide, public order offences, assault, offences of dishonesty, firearms and internet-related crime. She is described by leading barristers and peers as a “no-nonsense and immensely dedicated" criminal defence specialist. She is praised for her "absolute professionalism, client care and choice of counsel," and "Her tactical judgement, from police station interview to trial, is breathtaking." She comes highly recommended for her expert representation of high-profile clients, particularly those facing serious sexual and violent offence charges. Noted for specialist police station advice, as well as advising clients interviewed by other prosecution agencies and regulatory bodies, Ellen has an excellent track record in making written representations that matters should not proceed to charge and that no further action should be taken. Ellen has an interest in Court of Appeal matters when advising clients who seek a second opinion post-conviction and sentence. She has established a reputation for representing clients under investigation by a school, college or university including having successfully defended a Deaconal investigation following which the college were compelled to withdraw the allegations, issue an apology and pay the full costs of the accused student. Ellen is also an expert in advising broadcasters and television production companies as to pre and post-production advice; she also advises sports’ bodies as to criminal procedure. She acts for former MP, Charlie Elphicke in relation to his appeal against conviction and sentence following convictions for sexual assault; she also acts for Crispin Odey in respect of an allegation of indecent assault.

Greg Mailer

Solicitor specialising in corporate crime, financial crime and regulatory investigations. Has expertise in relation to investigations and prosecutions by the SFO, the CPS, the CMA, the ICO and the FCA. Experienced in matters involving all types of fraud, bribery and corruption, FCA investigations (insider dealing and market abuse), cartels and price fixing, money laundering, and trading standards. Also specialises in judicial review of the actions of investigators. Has particular expertise in relation to investigations by HMRC, especially with regard to issues of tax avoidance and evasion, often involving the Contractual Disclosure Facility (CDF) and HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service and COP9 teams.

Harry Travers

Harry Travers, a partner at BCL, specialises in business crime and regulation. He is one of only two business crime lawyers listed in the Chambers 100, the top 100 business lawyers in the UK. He was also inducted into the Legal 500 “Hall of Fame” in 2019, which recognises partners who are “at the pinnacle of the profession”. Harry receives numerous accolades for his work in representing high net worth individuals caught up in financial crime and international corruption and tax investigations. He has substantial experience representing individuals who have been the subject of high profile fraud and corruption investigations conducted by the SFO, FCA, HMRC, CMA and their foreign counterparts, such as those concerning ENRC, British American Tobacco, Serco, Standard Bank, GPT/Airbus, Balli Steel, Libor, and Innospec. "Harry is at the very top of the tree for business crime and he's exceptionally able academically, which is a rare skill-set,” a client said, "He never leaves his case, he's always thinking about the best way to present his client's case strategically." He is “phenomenally enthusiastic and is very highly respected with very good connections. He's very good at using the law and thrives on complexity." Chambers HNW have previously described him as “probably the best solicitor in the country who does this work” Clients say: “He is capable of explaining the complex in a clear and articulate way – he is very commercial and able to see through the maze."

Ian Burton

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."

John Binns

John advises corporate and individual clients on business crime and corporate regulatory matters, including bribery, controlled drugs, extradition, fraud, Interpol red notices, sanctions, tax evasion, and terrorist financing. He has particular expertise on issues under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), including confiscation, civil recovery, Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) and Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs), and on the operation of the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs). His recent work includes advising numerous corporate clients, including a major British multinational group, on cannabis licensing issues, and on the implications under POCA of UK investments in overseas lawful cannabis businesses. He has represented individual and corporate suspects in major criminal investigations by HMRC, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and National Trading Standards. John has also advised a variety of companies and professional firms on issues including: their obligations to prevent bribery and the facilitation of tax evasion, to comply with the MLRs, and to submit SARs; their exposure to UWOs and to liability under POCA and sanctions laws; and the extent of their duty to cooperate with international and domestic POCA investigations. Fellow practitioners say John has ‘a very cerebral approach’ and is ‘absolutely first rate’; ‘superbly analytical, right down in the detail, and a very nice guy to work with’; ‘absolutely fantastic… brilliant at advising clients… very calm and measured’; ‘approachable [and] very thorough’; and ‘a very strong POCA solicitor, who has a lot of experience [and] gives excellent, high-end advice for crime matters.’ John has presented at the Cambridge Symposium on Economic Crime, Cannabis Europa, the Proceeds of Crime Lawyers’ Association’s forum, the Red Lion Lectures, and webinars for Lexis Nexis, and gave expert evidence to the House of Lords’ EU Home Affairs Subcommittee.

Julian Hayes

Julian is an experienced partner in BCL’s white collar crime and regulatory team. He provides expert advice to individuals in relation to the full range of financial offences, including fraud, bribery, insider dealing, tax offences, and money laundering allegations. Where necessary, Julian is able to draw on his specialist expertise in information law, particularly with regard to law enforcement access to electronic evidence where his knowledge encompasses data protection laws and state agency surveillance / interception powers. Julian’s individual clients include prominent business people, C-suites executives and other senior corporate employees involved in high profile investigations by the SFO, FCA and HMRC. His recent SFO experience includes the investigations of Rolls Royce and Greenergy. Many of his cases involve cross-border aspects, requiring close co-ordination with lawyers and experts in other jurisdictions including the US, India, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and Greece. A number of his clients are high net worth individuals, and his experience includes advising on the implications of overseas criminal/regulatory investigations, mutual legal assistance, extradition and Interpol. He is a contributing author to GIR’s handbook ‘Guide to Cyber Investigations’. Julian writes regularly for national media, principally on emerging issues relating to the highly specialised intersection between law enforcement and information law. He lectures in the UK and overseas on legal developments relating to electronic evidence, sanctions, and data protection.

Mark Haslam

Partner specialising in all forms of criminal defence work from the police station to the Crown Court, including financial crime, large-scale drugs cases, murder and manslaughter, public order offences, assault and sexual offences. Also specialises in motoring cases, including driving with excess alcohol, failure to provide specimens, causing death by dangerous driving/careless driving, dangerous driving, driving without due care and attention, speeding, no insurance, totting up disqualifications, exceptional hardship arguments and Section 172 Notices of Intended Prosecution. Represents many well-known public figures from the fields of sport, politics and the arts, particularly acting for a number of current and former professional footballers, first-class cricketers, professional rugby players, jockeys and trainers.

Michael Drury CMG

Michael Drury joined BCL in September 2010. Formerly Director for Legal Affairs at the UK intelligence agency, GCHQ, Michael is described as being “Brilliant to work with, very hands-on, very knowledgeable about criminal procedure and good at anticipating bear traps as well.” Michael has a substantial practice in extradition, surveillance and investigatory powers, advising many of the leading global technology giants on electronic surveillance, information/privacy law and cybercrime, as well as acting in criminal investigations for corporates and high net worth individuals in fraud cases - LIBOR is a notable recent example, where no action was taken against his client - and in corruption investigations. Last year he successfully avoided attempts by the NCA to obtain an Unexplained Wealth Order against high net worth individuals who were under threat of this, leaving his clients free to deal with their assets as they wished and without the publicity attaching to court action. He has advised others who hold substantial assets about the means by which it is possible to avoid or mitigate the risk of action by the UK authorities in the UWO, suspected criminal property and sanctions fields. He is presently resisting action sought to be taken by the NCA on the basis of mutual legal assistance being provided to criminal investigators overseas, involving the most sensitive personal and business records of those involved. One source stated ‘.... he is fearless when dealing with the SFO and FCA, and other international investigating agencies’ and that he is ‘excellent in giving firm, but good advice, with the client’s best interest at heart’. Michael acted in the most important and high-profile English extradition case of 2018, brought by the Turkish state against Hamdi Akin Ipek, proprietor of several Turkish media outlets and an industrial conglomerate, which had been closed/expropriated by the government. The extradition request was refused by the English courts as “clearly politically motivated.” This was the first time that an English court had been asked to rule on whether such a Turkish extradition request had a proper basis in law and whether opponents of the Erdogan regime could expect a fair trial in Turkey. Michael continues to act in connection with high-profile Russian extradition matters involving the direct participation of the President and also in politically motivated INTERPOL ‘Red Notice’ cases: recently he was able to have removed a Red Notice that had been maintained by the national authorities for 16 years. He has experience in this field in jurisdictions actoss the former Soviet Union and in South America. Latterly in two high profile extradition cases emanating from Georgia, clients were discharged with the proceedings brought against them found also to be ‘politically motivated’. His experience in the senior levels of UK Government and knowledge of ‘how things work’ in central Whitehall departments and in the investigation and prosecution fields - prior to GCHQ and in a 25 year Government career he was one of the founding members of the SFO and has been engaged in the criminal justice system for nearly four decades - gives him an unparalleled insight into and awareness of how the UK agencies operate, to the benefit of those whom represents.

Richard Sallybanks

Richard Sallybanks, a partner in BCL for over 20 years, specialises in complex business crime and regulatory defence work, and has been involved in numerous UK and international business crime investigations and prosecutions. Clients describe him as “very wise, with a cool head, an enormous ability to master the detail of a case and a great tactical brain, an invaluable asset to any defence”. His core practice is defending senior executives who are suspects in investigations, and his current and recent SFO experience includes the Petrofac, Airbus, Barclays Qatar, Alstom and Kaupthing Bank investigations as well as leading the team which successfully defended Tesco’s former Commercial Director on charges involving an alleged £250m accounting fraud. In the financial sector he has acted for bankers, brokers, traders and senior executives in criminal and regulatory investigations, by the FCA and overseas authorities, including in relation to allegations of money laundering, insider dealing and market abuse. He also advises companies and individuals in their capacity as witnesses to matters under investigation. Many of his cases are cross-border and Richard is experienced in managing and co-ordinating teams of lawyers in multi-jurisdictional investigations, including the US, France, Switzerland and India. Many of his clients are High Net Worth Individuals / International Private Clients who Richard advises in connection with the implications of overseas criminal investigations, including the mutual legal assistance regime, extradition and Interpol. Richard is ranked by Chambers UK in: Financial Crime: Individuals – London (Band 1); Financial Crime: High Net Worth Individuals – UK (Band 1); and POCA work and Asset Forfeiture (Band 1): "Richard is a superb solicitor," say his clients. "He's very calm and you get a real sense that everything is under control and they can stop panicking. He has a very serious understanding of the law and the client." "He has an unusual background in both commercial law and serious crime, so if you need a solicitor to act in an SFO corporate crime raid, he is your man; he knows everything about companies and everything about criminal cases…" “He’s thoughtful, exceptionally intelligent and he has a forensic eye for detail without losing the bigger picture……He’s strategically extremely astute, he has great judgment under pressure and he’s also very commercially savvy.”

Richard Reichman

Richard is a partner specialising in corporate crime, regulatory investigations (including ESG compliance) and financial crime. He has extensive experience representing companies and individuals in relation to the most serious, complex and high-profile contentious matters. He is instructed from the early stages of cases to provide proactive advice regarding crisis management, large internal and external investigations, regulators’ powers, corporate co-operation, interviews under caution, prosecutions and associated proceedings such as inquests. He advises regarding a broad range of offences, such as corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety, food safety and hygiene (acting for Michelin starred restaurant groups and high street name food businesses), environmental (he advised in relation to the largest ever investigation by the Environment Agency), fire safety and trading. He also advises regarding financial offences such as fraud, bribery, insider dealing (he represented a defendant in the largest and most complex investigation into insider dealing ever conducted by the FCA), market manipulation and money laundering. He is frequently instructed in cases which require technical expertise in overlapping areas of business crime and regulation, for example joint police and Health and Safety Executive investigations and allegations of regulatory breaches combined with financial crime such as food and environmental fraud. The nature of his cases often involves the exercise of regulators’ powers (e.g. dawn raids, compelled document requests and enforcement notices). His caseload includes matters being investigated and prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency, Food Standards Agency, Local Authorities, Fire and Rescue Authorities, Serious Fraud Office, Financial Conduct Authority, Information Commissioner’s Office and Crown Prosecution Service.

Shaul Brazil

Shaul Brazil is a partner at BCL specialising in business crime and regulatory enforcement. Recommended in Chambers UK and Chambers HNW, he is also ranked as an expert in Who’s Who Legal (Business Crime Defence and Investigations). Shaul specialises in acting for individuals and companies in complex cross-border matters. He has extensive experience advising on multi-jurisdictional corruption and fraud investigations, asset recovery proceedings (in the UK and overseas), and extradition proceedings (in particular, politically motivated requests). He has acted in numerous high-profile investigations and prosecutions brought by the SFO and many other UK and overseas enforcement authorities. Shaul also has broad experience acting in ancillary matters such as judicial review proceedings, FCA investigations and applications to Interpol for the deletion of notices or diffusions. He advises companies in relation to regulatory and criminal law issues such as anti-bribery and corruption and anti-money laundering compliance, data protection and responding to requests for assistance in law enforcement investigations.

Shula De Jersey

She is an expert in all areas of white-collar crime including high profile fraud, money laundering and corruption. She specialises in representing individuals in complex and serious fraud proceedings, health and safety and corporate manslaughter cases and has handled a number of Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigations. These include Operation Holbein, Langbar, Mabey and Johnson, the Beijing Olympics ticket fraud, Kaupthing, Swift, FOREX and Euribor. She also has experience representing clients in all areas of criminal law including serious crime and she regularly represents clients at police station interviews. Shula has had numerous articles published in The Lawyer, Legal Week, In-House Lawyer and Telegraph Online and has lectured on corporate manslaughter legislation. She is a consultant editor for Lloyds Law Reports: Financial Crime.

Tom McNeill

Tom McNeill is a partner at BCL specialising in defending companies and from investigations and prosecutions brought by the police/CPS, HSE, ORR, Local Authorities, Fire and Rescue Authorities, Environment Agency. Has particular expertise in crisis management, internal investigations and corporate and director liability, corporate and individual manslaughter, health and safety (including coroner’s inquests), environmental protection, fire safety. Tom has a dual practice and also specialises in corporate/financial crime including all types of fraud, bribery, and money laundering.

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