Crime: London

Firms

Lawyers

Crime: London=20 (40)

Band 1BCL=20 Burton CopelandBindmans=20 LLPBirnberg=20 Peirce & PartnersKingsley=20 NapleyTuckers
Band 2Birds=20 SolicitorsCorker=20 Binning SolicitorsEdward=20 Fail Bradshaw & WatersonHickman=20 & RosePowell=20 Spencer & PartnersRussell=20 Jones & WalkerRussell-Cooke=20 LLPSaunders=20 Law PartnershipTV=20 Edwards Taylor Nichol
Band 3Andrew=20 Keenan & CoClaude=20 Hornby & CoxEdwards=20 DuthieHallinan,=20 Blackburn, Gittings & NottHenry=20 Milner & CoHodge=20 Jones & AllenHughmansKaim=20 TodnerMcCormacksStokoe=20 PartnershipTNT=20 Solicitors (Thanki Novy Taube)Venters=20 SolicitorsVictor=20 Lissack, Roscoe & Coleman
Band 4Bankside=20 LawBSB=20 SolicitorsChristian=20 KhanDaniel=20 Berman & CoEdward=20 HayesGalbraith=20 BranleyGT=20 Stewart SolicitorsImran=20 Khan & PartnersJ=20 D Spicer & CoLewis=20 Nedas & CoReynolds=20 DawsonShearman=20 Bowen & CoSimons=20 Muirhead & Burton

Crime: = London=20 (68)

StarMark=20 Haslam (BCL Burton Copeland)Neil=20 O'May (Bindmans LLP)Gareth=20 Peirce (Birnberg Peirce & Partners)Edward=20 Preston (Edward Fail Bradshaw & Waterson)
Band 1Steven=20 Bird (Birds Solicitors)Robert=20 Brown (Corker Binning Solicitors)Anthony=20 Burton (Simons Muirhead & Burton)John=20 Harding (Kingsley Napley)Jim=20 Meyer (Tuckers)Henry=20 Milner (Henry Milner & Co)James=20 Nichol (TV Edwards Taylor Nichol)Greg=20 Powell (Powell Spencer & Partners)James=20 Saunders (Saunders Law Partnership)
Band 2Peter=20 Binning (Corker Binning Solicitors)David=20 Corker (Corker Binning Solicitors)Anthony=20 Edwards (TV Edwards Taylor Nichols)Richard=20 Egan (Tuckers)Tim=20 Greene (Birds Solicitors)Richard=20 Hallam (Claude Hornby & Cox)Jane=20 Hickman (Hickman & Rose)Bernard=20 Huber (Edwards Duthie)Peter=20 Hughman (Hughmans)Andrew=20 Keenan (Andrew Keenan & Co)Angus=20 McBride (Kingsley Napley)Shaun=20 Murphy (Edwards Duthie)Christopher=20 Murray (Kingsley Napley)Colin=20 Nott (Hallinan, Blackburn, Gittings & Nott)Girish=20 Thanki (TNT Solicitors (Thanki Novy Taube))June=20 Venters QC (Venters Solicitors)
Band 3Tayab=20 Ali (McCormacks)Mark=20 Ashford (TV Edwards Taylor Nichol)Mark=20 Beardsworth (Kingsley Napley)Michael=20 Caplan QC (Kingsley Napley)Jae=20 Carwardine (Russell-Cooke LLP)Nicola=20 Finnerty (Corker Binning Solicitors)Margaret=20 Gordon (Christian Khan)Paul=20 Harris (Edward Fail Bradshaw & Waterson)Rachel=20 Hubbard (BCL Burton Copeland)Andrew=20 P Katzen (Hickman & Rose)Paul=20 Morris (BCL Burton Copeland)Colin=20 Reynolds (Reynolds Dawson)Ian=20 Ryan (Finers Stephens Innocent)Michael=20 Schwarz (Bindmans LLP)Philip=20 Smith (Tuckers)Karen=20 Todner (Kaim Todner)Bambos=20 Tsiattalou (Stokoe Partnership)
Band 4Richard=20 Almond (Victor Lissack, Roscoe & Coleman)Paul=20 Baker (Saunders Law Partnership)Daniel=20 J Berman (Daniel Berman & Co)Anthony=20 Branley (Galbraith Branley)Daniel=20 Burbidge (Hickman & Rose)Sean=20 Curran (Guney Clark & Ryan Solicitors)Nigel=20 Dean (Edward Fail Bradshaw & Waterson)Peter=20 Fallen (Venters Solicitors)Rod=20 Fletcher (Russell Jones & Walker)Jane=20 Glass (BCL Burton Copeland)Miles=20 Herman (Lewis Nedas & Co)Louise=20 Hodges (Kingsley Napley)Imran=20 Khan (Imran Khan & Partners)Nigel=20 Richardson (Hodge Jones & Allen)Robert=20 Roscoe (Victor Lissack, Roscoe & Coleman)David=20 Sonn (Sonn Macmillan Walker)Martin=20 Taube (TNT Solicitors (Thanki Novy Taube))Sian=20 Williams (Hallinan, Blackburn, Gittings & Nott)Keith=20 Wood (Lewis Nedas & Co.)
Up and ComingRhona=20 Friedman (Bindmans LLP)Ellen=20 Peart (BCL Burton Copeland)Martin=20 Rackstraw (Bindmans LLP)

Crime: London (40 = Firms)

Band 1BCL=20 Burton CopelandBindmans=20 LLPBirnberg=20 Peirce & PartnersKingsley=20 NapleyTuckers
Band 2Birds=20 SolicitorsCorker=20 Binning SolicitorsEdward=20 Fail Bradshaw & WatersonHickman=20 & RosePowell=20 Spencer & PartnersRussell=20 Jones & WalkerRussell-Cooke=20 LLPSaunders=20 Law PartnershipTV=20 Edwards Taylor Nichol
Band 3Andrew=20 Keenan & CoClaude=20 Hornby & CoxEdwards=20 DuthieHallinan,=20 Blackburn, Gittings & NottHenry=20 Milner & CoHodge=20 Jones & AllenHughmansKaim=20 TodnerMcCormacksStokoe=20 PartnershipTNT=20 Solicitors (Thanki Novy Taube)Venters=20 SolicitorsVictor=20 Lissack, Roscoe & Coleman
Band 4Bankside=20 LawBSB=20 SolicitorsChristian=20 KhanDaniel=20 Berman & CoEdward=20 HayesGalbraith=20 BranleyGT=20 Stewart SolicitorsImran=20 Khan & PartnersJ=20 D Spicer & CoLewis=20 Nedas & CoReynolds=20 DawsonShearman=20 Bowen & CoSimons=20 Muirhead & Burton

Crime: London (68 = People)

StarMark=20 Haslam (BCL Burton Copeland)Neil=20 O'May (Bindmans LLP)Gareth=20 Peirce (Birnberg Peirce & Partners)Edward=20 Preston (Edward Fail Bradshaw & Waterson)
Band 1Steven=20 Bird (Birds Solicitors)Robert=20 Brown (Corker Binning Solicitors)Anthony=20 Burton (Simons Muirhead & Burton)John=20 Harding (Kingsley Napley)Jim=20 Meyer (Tuckers)Henry=20 Milner (Henry Milner & Co)James=20 Nichol (TV Edwards Taylor Nichol)Greg=20 Powell (Powell Spencer & Partners)James=20 Saunders (Saunders Law Partnership)
Band 2Peter=20 Binning (Corker Binning Solicitors)David=20 Corker (Corker Binning Solicitors)Anthony=20 Edwards (TV Edwards Taylor Nichols)Richard=20 Egan (Tuckers)Tim=20 Greene (Birds Solicitors)Richard=20 Hallam (Claude Hornby & Cox)Jane=20 Hickman (Hickman & Rose)Bernard=20 Huber (Edwards Duthie)Peter=20 Hughman (Hughmans)Andrew=20 Keenan (Andrew Keenan & Co)Angus=20 McBride (Kingsley Napley)Shaun=20 Murphy (Edwards Duthie)Christopher=20 Murray (Kingsley Napley)Colin=20 Nott (Hallinan, Blackburn, Gittings & Nott)Girish=20 Thanki (TNT Solicitors (Thanki Novy Taube))June=20 Venters QC (Venters Solicitors)
Band 3Tayab=20 Ali (McCormacks)Mark=20 Ashford (TV Edwards Taylor Nichol)Mark=20 Beardsworth (Kingsley Napley)Michael=20 Caplan QC (Kingsley Napley)Jae=20 Carwardine (Russell-Cooke LLP)Nicola=20 Finnerty (Corker Binning Solicitors)Margaret=20 Gordon (Christian Khan)Paul=20 Harris (Edward Fail Bradshaw & Waterson)Rachel=20 Hubbard (BCL Burton Copeland)Andrew=20 P Katzen (Hickman & Rose)Paul=20 Morris (BCL Burton Copeland)Colin=20 Reynolds (Reynolds Dawson)Ian=20 Ryan (Finers Stephens Innocent)Michael=20 Schwarz (Bindmans LLP)Philip=20 Smith (Tuckers)Karen=20 Todner (Kaim Todner)Bambos=20 Tsiattalou (Stokoe Partnership)
Band 4Richard=20 Almond (Victor Lissack, Roscoe & Coleman)Paul=20 Baker (Saunders Law Partnership)Daniel=20 J Berman (Daniel Berman & Co)Anthony=20 Branley (Galbraith Branley)Daniel=20 Burbidge (Hickman & Rose)Sean=20 Curran (Guney Clark & Ryan Solicitors)Nigel=20 Dean (Edward Fail Bradshaw & Waterson)Peter=20 Fallen (Venters Solicitors)Rod=20 Fletcher (Russell Jones & Walker)Jane=20 Glass (BCL Burton Copeland)Miles=20 Herman (Lewis Nedas & Co)Louise=20 Hodges (Kingsley Napley)Imran=20 Khan (Imran Khan & Partners)Nigel=20 Richardson (Hodge Jones & Allen)Robert=20 Roscoe (Victor Lissack, Roscoe & Coleman)David=20 Sonn (Sonn Macmillan Walker)Martin=20 Taube (TNT Solicitors (Thanki Novy Taube))Sian=20 Williams (Hallinan, Blackburn, Gittings & Nott)Keith=20 Wood (Lewis Nedas & Co.)
Up and ComingRhona=20 Friedman (Bindmans LLP)Ellen=20 Peart (BCL Burton Copeland)Martin=20 Rackstraw (Bindmans LLP)

Crime: London

1BCL=20 Burton Copeland

This firm has recently taken the decision to focus exclusively on = privately=20 funded work, offering representation and advice in matters across the = spectrum=20 of general and business crime, from the police station to the = Magistrates=E2=80=99 and=20 Crown Court. Clients praise the lawyers' =E2=80=9Cpersonal touch that = really makes=20 you feel like an individual, almost as if your case is the only one = they=E2=80=99re=20 dealing with.=E2=80=9D=20 Mark Haslam is singled out for his =E2=80=9Cexcellent manner with = clients in=20 circumstances that are often traumatic,=E2=80=9D and for his = =E2=80=9Cincredibly=20 intelligent and articulate demeanours.=E2=80=9D He recently = represented Steve Wright=20 in the Suffolk murders case. Rachel=20 Hubbard also worked on this case, and successfully represented a = senior=20 prison officer following a death in custody. She has =E2=80=9Ca great = combination of=20 attention to detail and an easy manner,=E2=80=9D and is seen as an = =E2=80=9Cunbelievably=20 hard-working, on-the-ball lawyer.=E2=80=9D=20 Paul Morris recently advised the defendant in the much-publicised = murder of=20 Stephen Langford in Henley. Clients say =E2=80=9Che=E2=80=99s = tactically and=20 strategically very good - he doesn=E2=80=99t just follow the book but = takes his client=E2=80=99s=20 personal circumstances into account, and is always looking two steps = ahead.=E2=80=9D=20 Jane=20 Glass =E2=80=9Cworks 24 hours a day if necessary with total = intensity, yet=20 tempered with common sense throughout.=E2=80=9D Ellen=20 Peart is praised for her =E2=80=9Cimpressive tactical nous and = client care.=E2=80=9D=20

1Bindmans=20 LLP

Recognised by peers as a standout firm, Bindmans deals with an = impressive=20 variety of work, with a particular emphasis on human rights issues. = Interviewees=20 comment that the firm =E2=80=9Cprovides high-quality instructions to = counsel and an=20 excellent service to clients.=E2=80=9D Highlights include the cash = for honours=20 scandal, in which Lord Levy was represented by = =E2=80=9CBindman=E2=80=99s leading=20 luminary=E2=80=9D=20 Neil O=E2=80=99 May, =E2=80=9Ca superb all-rounder who can handle = both the client and the=20 media very well.=E2=80=9D The =E2=80=9Cextremely thorough and = personable=E2=80=9D Mike=20 Schwarz has recently been active in the House of Lords in R v = Pritchard and=20 Olditch, a case on the legality of anti-Iraq war protest, which resulted = in an=20 acquittal for his client. Martin=20 Rackstraw has acted in a series of big-ticket cases recently, = including a=20 conspiracy to supply drugs, blackmail and a trial for possession of = information=20 for terrorist purposes. He =E2=80=9Capproaches his cases with = exemplary diligence and=20 commitment.=E2=80=9D Recent case highlights for Rhona=20 Friedman include appealing against a double murder conviction before = the=20 court of appeal. She is recognised for being =E2=80=9Cabsolutely = relentless, and one=20 of the most effective young solicitors around.=E2=80=9D

1Birnberg=20 Peirce & Partners

Receiving widespread applause for its terrorism and human rights = work, the=20 team here =E2=80=9Cis incredibly diligent and dedicated to its = clients - they work=20 around the clock.=E2=80=9D Leading light Gareth=20 Peirce stands out for being =E2=80=9Ccompletely fearless; = she=E2=80=99s probably the=20 world=E2=80=99s most accomplished lawyer in the field of = terrorism.=E2=80=9D

1Kingsley=20 Napley

This firm is applauded for housing =E2=80=9Ca strong collection = of partners with=20 vast criminal experience=E2=80=9D and for its = =E2=80=9Creliability and experience in=20 complex cases.=E2=80=9D Defending mainly private clients, the firm = is recognised as=20 a leader in white-collar crime, though it also covers the whole gamut of = criminal work. Gerry and Kate McCann were represented by the firm in the = Portuguese inquiry into their daughter=E2=80=99s disappearance. The = writer and comedian=20 Chris Langham was represented during his trial for indecent assault and = making=20 indecent images. Michael=20 Caplan QC garners much praise, with one source declaring: = =E2=80=9CHe=E2=80=99s probably=20 the most diligent and impressive criminal solicitor I=E2=80=99ve ever = met.=E2=80=9D John=20 Harding has a prodigious practice thanks to his = =E2=80=9Cpersonable nature, and a=20 conciseness that clients really appreciate.=E2=80=9D Christopher=20 Murray is =E2=80=9Cexcellent with demanding clients,=E2=80=9D = while Angus=20 McBride is =E2=80=9Ca bright, media-savvy tactical = genius=E2=80=9D with a reputation=20 for handling prominent clients with tact and sensitivity. Mark=20 Beardsworth is particularly noted for his =E2=80=9Cability to = always get the=20 right result=E2=80=9D within his diverse practice; his work = highlights include a=20 major indecent assault and indecent images trial due to start in = Gloucester=20 Crown Court later in 2008. Louise=20 Hodges is =E2=80=9Ca star of the future.=E2=80=9D

1Tuckers

Tuckers is expanding, with the addition of the criminal team from = Fisher=20 Meredith, and it continues to pull in an impressive number of cases and=20 demonstrate how the Carter reforms can be used to create a highly = successful=20 business model. This massive legal aid provider gives a one-stop shop = service=20 for clients in trouble, with specialist departments housing expertise = that=20 covers the criminal spectrum. Highlights include representing defendants = in the=20 airline liquid bomb plot case, and representing a defendant implicated = in the=20 Glasgow Airport and London nightclub bomb plot. Interviewees say the = firm=20 =E2=80=9Cpops up all over the place - and always with very impressive = people.=E2=80=9D Jim=20 Meyer=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Cjudgement is second to none, and = whatever the size of the case=20 he immerses himself in it and analyses every detail.=E2=80=9D=20 Richard Egan =E2=80=9Cis a class act whom you can really rely on = to get things=20 done.=E2=80=9D Phil=20 Smith runs the violent crime department, and is described as = =E2=80=9Cexactly=20 what you=E2=80=99d expect from a good solicitor - he=E2=80=99s = exceptionally hard working.=E2=80=9D=20

2Birds=20 Solicitors

This specialist criminal defence firm's =E2=80=9Cremarkable = cohesion and=20 strength=E2=80=9D allow it to punch above its weight. It is praised = for being =E2=80=9Ca=20 quality operation - its reluctance to expand in size has in fact = enhanced its=20 quality and reputation.=E2=80=9D Current high-profile cases include = representing a=20 client accused of murder following a litter row. Steven=20 Bird has =E2=80=9Ca phenomenal sense of integrity and discipline = - he doesn=E2=80=99t=20 send minions off to do jobs, but gives real personal attention to = cases.=E2=80=9D=20 Tim Green is a consultant solicitor with higher rights of advocacy,=20 particularly well known for his defence of members of animal rights = groups.=20 According to barristers, =E2=80=9Che=E2=80=99s extraordinarily = articulate and effective, and=20 always remains calm.=E2=80=9D

2Corker=20 Binning Solicitors

Primarily associated with fraud, Corker Binning is also an = established=20 force in general crime and extradition cases. As well as working for its = thriving private client base, the team handles legal aid work where = possible.=20 According to clients, the firm has =E2=80=9Clegal knowledge and = experience of the=20 highest order, as well as a real sensitivity to any relevant special=20 issues.=E2=80=9D Recent noteworthy work includes acting for a = millionaire=20 businesswoman in a contract killing case. Robert=20 Brown is =E2=80=9Ca great ambassador for the profession and an = innovative legal=20 mind.=E2=80=9D As well as being highly experienced in general crime = and fraud cases,=20 he has acted for a number of very high-profile individuals in road = traffic=20 matters. Peter=20 Binning is noted for his tenacity - =E2=80=9Che never lets go on = a case=E2=80=9D -=20 and for his industriousness and pragmatism. He has particular = experience in=20 international cases involving extradition and mutual legal assistance. = David=20 Corker =E2=80=9Ccombines toughness and common sense - = he=E2=80=99s also academically very=20 strong and able to convert complicated ideas into simple terms.=E2=80=9D = Nicola=20 Finnerty is currently instructed by Anne Darwin, wife of the = =E2=80=98missing=20 canoeist', and has a reputation as =E2=80=9Ca fierce defender = who=E2=80=99s utterly=20 client-focused.=E2=80=9D

2Edward=20 Fail Bradshaw & Waterson

The market consensus is that this is a good-quality general crime = firm and=20 =E2=80=9Cutterly reliable.=E2=80=9D Interviewees declare the team = =E2=80=9Cthorough,=20 hard-working and responsive.=E2=80=9D Recent notable work includes = the Nisha=20 Patel-Nasri murder case, R v Blake Fielder-Civil and the Peter Woodhams = murder=20 case. Edward=20 Preston =E2=80=9Cis in the premier league: he has an incredibly = incisive legal=20 mind, and unflinching loyalty to his clients.=E2=80=9D The = =E2=80=9Cremarkably savvy and=20 polished=E2=80=9D Paul=20 Harris has =E2=80=9Cboundless verve and commitment and is a font = of good ideas.=E2=80=9D=20 Nigel=20 Dean manages to =E2=80=9Ccombine robustness with imagination, and = leaves no stone=20 unturned in the defence of his clients.=E2=80=9D

2Hickman=20 & Rose

This firm handles the gamut of criminal matters for both publicly = and=20 privately funded clients, with partners specialising in murder, sexual = offences,=20 fraud, youth courts and public order work, amongst other areas. Sources = say it=20 is =E2=80=9Cone of the most complete law firms out there when it = comes to publicly=20 funded criminal work.=E2=80=9D Interviewees also note that it = =E2=80=9Ccommands a high=20 level of client confidence, which allows quality advice to be = efficiently given=20 and sensibly received, often in high-pressure situations.=E2=80=9D = Jane=20 Hickman is =E2=80=9Can absolutely perfect criminal = lawyer,=E2=80=9D while Andrew=20 Katzen specialises in heavyweight criminal cases, and those with a = civil=20 liberties angle. He stands out for =E2=80=9Cthe true dedication, = commitment and=20 passion he has for his work.=E2=80=9D=20 Daniel Burbidge specialises in allegations of sexual crime, child = cruelty=20 and Internet child pornography. Praised for his ability to find points = that=20 others miss, he has =E2=80=9Ca quiet efficiency which belies an = uncompromising=20 concern for his clients.=E2=80=9D

2Powell=20 Spencer & Partners

This highly regarded firm offers clients defence across the = spectrum of=20 criminal matters, with legal aid funding underpinning its cases. = Barristers note=20 that the team "prepares its cases very well, and goes about that = preparation=20 with great intelligence.=E2=80=9D The hugely respected Greg=20 Powell is =E2=80=9Ca dedicated lawyer who genuinely cares about = his clients.=E2=80=9D=20

2Russell=20 Jones & Walker

This firm is widely known for its Police Federation work, which = makes up=20 the bulk of its practice, although it also acts in criminal and = regulatory=20 investigations and is increasing its share of fraud work. It has = recently=20 created two departments to deal with this kind of work: business and = regulatory,=20 and crime and misconduct. Important cases for the firm include = representing the=20 police officers involved in the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes. = Clients=20 agree the firm =E2=80=9Chas great expertise and background in this = field and offers=20 plenty of support.=E2=80=9D Rod=20 Fletcher =E2=80=9Cstands out as one of the senior figures in = criminal=20 work.=E2=80=9D

2Russell-Cooke=20 LLP

The criminal department here deals with a wide range of work, from = serious=20 violent offences through to representing professionals and businesses in = fraud-related matters. The team undertakes both private and legal aid = work. A=20 recent headline-grabbing case was R v D, where it was alleged that the = defendant=20 killed his wife and dismembered her body; having pleaded guilty to = manslaughter,=20 the client was acquitted of murder. Jae=20 Carwardine defends those accused of the most serious and complex = offences=20 and receives praise for being =E2=80=9Cextraordinarily dedicated - = she really gets=20 things moving for her clients.=E2=80=9D

2Saunders=20 Law Partnership

This =E2=80=9Cgold-star firm=E2=80=9D is best known for = traditional serious crime.=20 Recent prominent cases include acting for one of the teenage defendants = accused=20 of stabbing schoolboy Kodjo Yenga, and acting for the defendant alleged = to have=20 murdered Special Police Constable Nisha Patel-Nasri. The firm = =E2=80=9Calways goes=20 the extra mile for clients, which is pretty exceptional these days when=20 everybody is so cost-conscious.=E2=80=9D=20 James Saunders, =E2=80=9Ca master tactician and absolute = genius,=E2=80=9D is one of=20 the most respected criminal solicitors in London. Paul=20 Baker has a strong following and a reputation for working incredibly = hard on=20 his cases.

2TV=20 Edwards Taylor Nichol

Two firms with excellent reputations, TV Edwards and Taylor Nichol = recently=20 merged and now offer clients services from a much-enlarged pool of = lawyers. The=20 founding partner of Taylor Nichol, James=20 Nichol is =E2=80=9Can extremely accomplished lawyer=E2=80=9D = who has successfully=20 acted for clients in a number of important miscarriage of justice cases. = Tony=20 Edwards is seen as =E2=80=9Cone of the best criminal lawyers in = the country,=E2=80=9D=20 while Mark=20 Ashford is especially noted for his work in the youth = courts.

3Andrew=20 Keenan & Co

Andrew=20 Keenan is the sole practitioner at this highly respected firm that = deals=20 almost exclusively with criminal defence. He is much praised for = =E2=80=9Cthe wisdom=20 he has acquired over the course of his successful career.=E2=80=9D =

3Claude=20 Hornby & Cox

Renowned for delivering =E2=80=9Csensible, thoughtful = advice,=E2=80=9D this outfit=20 deals in cases such as murder, terrorism and large frauds, as well as a = number=20 of extraditions. Richard=20 Hallam =E2=80=9Cis first-class and really knows his cases back to = front.=E2=80=9D=20

3Edwards=20 Duthie

With a varied criminal practice, this firm is involved in three = ongoing=20 murder trials and increasingly in GMC and General Dental Council work. = It=20 =E2=80=9Coffers an excellent service to the petty offender and the = potential lifer,=20 providing the same level of care to each.=E2=80=9D Bernard=20 Huber is =E2=80=9Can exceptional solicitor with expert judgement, = impressive=20 advocacy skills and a great mind for tactics.=E2=80=9D=20 Shaun Murphy, also a solicitor advocate, =E2=80=9Calways has a = strong grasp of=20 the underlying issues, and consistently puts in a good = performance.=E2=80=9D=20

3Hallinan,=20 Blackburn, Gittings & Nott

This firm is particularly renowned for its extradition work, though = it=20 covers matters across the criminal field. Colin=20 Nott is =E2=80=9Cenormously experienced,=E2=80=9D and clients = value his =E2=80=9Ccalm and=20 relaxed approach.=E2=80=9D His colleague Sian=20 Williams is applauded for =E2=80=9Cher excellent client = rapport.=E2=80=9D=20

3Henry=20 Milner & Co

This small niche firm offers a personalised service to clients, = covering=20 all manner of criminal offences. Recent highly publicised cases include = acting=20 for one of the defendants in the royal blackmail case and representing = one of=20 the defendants in the Securitas robbery trial. Henry=20 Milner is =E2=80=9Ca lawyer cast from the classic mould,=E2=80=9D = who =E2=80=9Ccombines a=20 robust sense of humour with an ability to quickly see the issues in a = case - he=20 doesn=E2=80=99t waste time.=E2=80=9D

3Hodge=20 Jones & Allen

The criminal department at this firm enjoys a strong reputation, = and has=20 recently been bucking the trend in the market by expanding and = developing. Its=20 cases include the successful defence of an airline pilot accused of a = series of=20 rapes of ex-girlfriends, and securing the acquittal of a client accused = of=20 cocaine smuggling. Nigel=20 Richardson heads the department and enjoys higher rights of = advocacy.=20 Interviewees comment: =E2=80=9CHe has a wealth of experience, good = judgement and=20 great pragmatism.=E2=80=9D

3Hughmans

This =E2=80=9Csuperb outfit=E2=80=9D is known for its = discreet handling of=20 heavyweight criminal cases, with a significant proportion of its work = being=20 generated by recommendations. It defends clients facing prosecution by a = wide=20 range of bodies, such as the CPS, SFO and local authorities, with = interviewees=20 commenting that the firm=E2=80=99s relatively small size allows it to = provide the client=20 with a more personal service. It is also praised for its = =E2=80=9Cconsiderable=20 tactical expertise.=E2=80=9D=20 Peter Hughman is the guiding light at the firm, lauded for his = =E2=80=9Cunerring=20 knowledge and confident and direct manner.=E2=80=9D

3Kaim=20 Todner

Criminal law is one of the main specialisms for this firm, and it = has=20 recently restructured to accommodate the Carter reforms with a newly = developed=20 police station department. It handles all criminal matters, with recent=20 involvement in the Securitas robbery and several High Court extradition = matters.=20 Karen=20 Todner is managing partner of the firm and, with numerous = significant cases=20 under her belt, =E2=80=9Cis very well thought of and highly = respected.=E2=80=9D=20

3McCormacks

This sizeable criminal defence practice houses a team of = =E2=80=9Chands-on=20 lawyers who are talented and conscientious.=E2=80=9D The = firm=E2=80=99s special cases unit=20 continues to thrive, especially in areas related to terrorism and civil=20 liberties. Headline-grabbing work includes the successful defence of one = of the=20 individuals implicated in the plot to kidnap and behead a British Muslim = soldier, and obtaining an acquittal for one of the defendants accused of = involvement in the 21/7 bomb plot. Tayab=20 Ali heads the special cases unit and continues to shine: = =E2=80=9CHe is a=20 talented lawyer with ambition, good judgement and courage.=E2=80=9D =

3Stokoe=20 Partnership

This firm handles a wide spectrum of work, ranging from mainstream=20 blue-collar crime to money laundering and fraud. It recently opened an = office in=20 Manchester in addition to its London office. Noteworthy cases include=20 representing a defendant alleged to have been involved in the =C2=A353 = million=20 Securitas robbery, and the highly publicised murder of a 16-year-old = girl in a=20 nightclub in Tottenham. Bambos=20 Tsiattalou =E2=80=9Cdoes fantastically well and is immensely = personable and=20 pragmatic.=E2=80=9D

3TNT=20 Solicitors (Thanki Novy Taube)

This =E2=80=9Cwonderfully efficient firm=E2=80=9D = specialises in criminal defence,=20 including road traffic offences, terrorism, serious crime, extradition = and=20 courts martial and war crimes. Barristers recommend the firm on the = strength of=20 its thorough preparation. Girish=20 Thanki is =E2=80=9Cfantastic - he=E2=80=99s extremely bright with = a calm and measured=20 approach to things,=E2=80=9D and is top of the list for referrals = from many of his=20 peers. Martin=20 Taube is =E2=80=9Ca solid lawyer who is courageous in dealing = with controversial=20 cases.=E2=80=9D

3Venters=20 Solicitors

The team here specialises in all areas of criminal law, = representing=20 clients in police stations and before criminal courts, including the = youth=20 courts. Interviewees agree that =E2=80=9Cthis is an excellent, = hard-working team=20 across the board, and is one of the best high-street firms of its = kind.=E2=80=9D=20 Specialising in child work, June=20 Venters QC =E2=80=9Cis an incredibly effective = operator,=E2=80=9D whilst Peter=20 Fallen is =E2=80=9Cvery focused and will do anything for his = clients.=E2=80=9D=20

3Victor=20 Lissack, Roscoe & Coleman

This firm handles a wide range of criminal matters, including an = increasing=20 amount of fraud work, and offers clients a hands-on service, with = partners being=20 noted for their accessibility. Richard=20 Almond and Robert=20 Roscoe are both highly regarded lawyers.

4Bankside=20 Law

The criminal defence team here acts on cases ranging from firearms = offences=20 to extraditions to murders. Instructed barristers appreciate = =E2=80=9Cthe thought and=20 work these lawyers put into a case - they=E2=80=99re very productive to = work with.=E2=80=9D=20 Ian Ryan recently left the firm to join Finers Stephens Innocent; Bill = Wilson is=20 the main point of contact.

4BSB=20 Solicitors

This firm has a strong presence in business crime, with = interviewees=20 commenting that it is =E2=80=9Ca good defence-minded firm, with = excellent, committed=20 lawyers.=E2=80=9D Paul Butcher specialises in advocacy and defence = preparation.=20

4Christian=20 Khan

Part of a high-profile civil liberties practice, the criminal team = here is=20 primarily known for its work on cases related to terrorism, such as the=20 much-reported =E2=80=98fertiliser bomb plot=E2=80=99 and the first = prosecution for inciting acts=20 of terrorism on the Internet. In addition, the firm has acted on a = number of=20 other serious crime cases, such as burglaries and murders. Margaret=20 Gordon is praised as =E2=80=9Ca very bright, able and committed = solicitor.=E2=80=9D=20

4Daniel=20 Berman & Co

This firm is known for its confiscation work, though it also = handles a=20 number of serious fraud and crime cases; it is currently challenging = several=20 confiscation regulations in the House of Lords. Other recent cases of=20 significance include the acquittal of a civil engineer charged with = murder,=20 achieved through contesting expert analysis of CCTV. Daniel=20 Berman remains the go-to partner here.

4Edward=20 Hayes

With offices in both London and Sussex, this firm deals in serious = fraud=20 and criminal defence, with current work including a mercy killing case, = several=20 murders, sexual offences and Internet crime matters. Barristers have = been=20 impressed: =E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s a great generalist firm, and = provides excellent client=20 care.=E2=80=9D Yogesh Patel is the main point of contact. =

4Galbraith=20 Branley

This high-energy firm handles serious criminal cases, and also has = an=20 expanding prison law and appeals team. Interviewees comment on its = efficiency,=20 with one adding that =E2=80=9Cif a family member were ever in = trouble, this is the=20 firm I would recommend they go to.=E2=80=9D Anthony=20 Branley remains at the helm of the team.

4GT=20 Stewart Solicitors

GT Stewart is a specialist criminal defence firm handling both = private and=20 legally aided clients. Barristers it instructs report that it has a very = busy=20 practice and takes its work very seriously: "The lawyers here are not = just=20 going through the motions; as a barrister you have to be at your best at = all=20 times to satisy the high standards set by them."

4Imran=20 Khan & Partners

The eponymous Imran=20 Khan has established himself as one of the UK=E2=80=99s leading = lawyers in=20 terrorism-related cases, and according to one barrister is =E2=80=9Ca = blooming good=20 solicitor - he gets the job done and really thinks things = through.=E2=80=9D=20

4J=20 D Spicer & Co

This firm handles the full spectrum of crime, with murders and=20 manslaughters representing a significant portion of its caseload, as = well as=20 dealing with serious fraud and other business crime through its = specialist=20 white-collar crime department. Recent cases include representing two = defendants=20 in the transatlantic terror plot investigation. The firm earns respect = from=20 peers for its vast experience and =E2=80=9Cwillingness to go beyond = the call of duty=20 for clients.=E2=80=9D Phillip Spicer is the contact = partner.

4Lewis=20 Nedas & Co

The team here has a long-established private client base, and also = offers=20 legal aid representation to clients across the criminal spectrum, = although of=20 late it has been moving more towards fraud and regulatory-based cases. = Miles=20 Herman is very popular at the Bar for his =E2=80=9Camazing work = ethos - he gets=20 on with the case and before you know it he=E2=80=99s identified all the = issues.=E2=80=9D=20 Keith Wood is also recommended for his dedication and client care=20 skills.

4Reynolds=20 Dawson

This niche criminal defence practice offers advice and = representation=20 covering the full remit of criminal cases; it also provides a full duty=20 solicitor scheme. Senior partner Colin=20 Reynolds is =E2=80=9Ca very able lawyer who gets good = results.=E2=80=9D

4Shearman=20 Bowen & Co

This =E2=80=9Creliable, old-style firm=E2=80=9D specialises = in all areas of criminal=20 defence, with recent high-profile cases including a =C2=A3142 million = drugs=20 conspiracy. The outfit is praised for =E2=80=9Cits incisive and = empathetic=20 understanding of clients in very difficult situations.=E2=80=9D Rick = Shearman and=20 Mark Bowen are the two main contacts here.

4Simons=20 Muirhead & Burton

This firm continues to deal with a variety of criminal and contempt = matters=20 for clients who hail mainly from the media sector, as well as handling = murder,=20 serious drug offence and sex offence cases. It has also been involved in = a=20 number of ground-breaking decisions made in Privy Council cases. The = team is=20 =E2=80=9Csympathetic and considerate to clients and provides a = personalised service.=E2=80=9D=20 Anthony=20 Burton is =E2=80=9Can excellent solicitor and tactician with an = outstanding=20 reputation=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9Creal gravitas due to his vast = experience.=E2=80=9D=20

Other Notable Practitioners

Sean=20 Curran of Guney Clark & Ryan Solicitors is =E2=80=9Cvery = committed to his=20 clients, and pretty fearless.=E2=80=9D In addition to being Pete = Doherty=E2=80=99s lawyer,=20 he has acted in cases such as R v Galanti and Others, a large-scale = conspiracy=20 to supply cocaine. David=20 Sonn of Sonn Macmillan Walker is =E2=80=9Ca very sound lawyer who = is going from=20 strength to strength.=E2=80=9D He regularly takes on serious crime = and fraud-related=20 cases. Ian=20 Ryan has recently joined Finers Stephens Innocent. Interviewees = comment that=20 he =E2=80=9Chas got that instinctive knack and excellent judgement = that a good=20 solicitor needs.=E2=80=9D

Chambers News

May 2009

Chambers to host =E2=80=99Meet the Editors=E2=80=99 = reception.

Our UK editorial team=20 will be hosting a reception in Birmingham. The reception will be a = chance for=20 everyone to put faces to names and for us to address any queries you may = have=20 about our guides or our process.

If you would like to attend, please email Catherine=20 McGregor

Calendar

May 2009
Launch of Chambers Associate 2009

4th June 2009
Chambers UK, Meet the Editors, = Birmingham.

11th June 2009
The Chambers USA Awards for Excellence, New = York=20

12th June 2009
Launch of Chambers USA 2009

10th September 2009
The Chambers Latin America Awards 2009, = Miami=20

11th September 2009
Launch of Chambers Latin America 2010=20 Edition

8th October 2009
The Chambers Bar Awards 2009, London

For more information contact=20 us

Saville House, 23 Long Lane, London EC1A = 9HL=20 Tel: +44 (0) 20 7606 8844 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7606 = 0906=20 2009 =C2=A9 Michael Chambers and Orbach & Chambers Ltd =