Chambers & Partners have now published the 2022 edition of their High Net Worth (HNW) Guide and BCL Solicitors has been top-ranked (Band 1) in Financial Crime: High Net Worth Individuals – UK, with six partners identified as leading individuals and one associate recognised in the 'Associates to watch' category.

Rankings are as follows:

Band 1:

Ian Burton

Richard Sallybanks

Harry Travers

Band 2:

Shaul Brazil

Michael Drury

Band 4:

Shula de Jersey

Associates to watch:

Anoushka Warlow

In relation to the firm's position, Chambers High Net Worth states:

BCL Solicitors "are truly specialists in financial crime and all have a good high net worth client base," a market commentator reports. One source enthuses: "Their extensive experience has created an astute and informed approach to the commercial decision-making process."

"I would put BCL above everyone else, it's difficult to fault them on strength in depth or quality," a source states.

In relation to the ranked partners, Chambers High Net Worth states:

Harry Travers advises clients on complex cross-border financial crime investigations. "He is simply the best, his ability is without equal in my opinion. He has an impeccable character and a wicked sense of humour," an interviewee states, while another market commentator says: "He's excellent, in terms of intellectual prowess, he's very impressive."

Ian Burton is recognised as a leading figure in this space, with vast experience in financial crime. One source asserts: "Nobody else has his breadth and depth of experience. He's extremely insightful and well connected." An interviewee reports that he has "a coterie of extremely HNW clients, who look to him for their every legal need. His client list sounds like an extract from the Sunday Times Rich List."

Richard Sallybanks is a prominent figure in the financial crime space, advising clients involved in domestic and international investigations and prosecutions. "He is a master tactician in how to represent people in these difficult high-value, long-running cases," a source notes. Another says that "his key strengths are that he's got a real attention to detail. Always on top of the detail of a case, has excellent judgement and is very hard-working."

Michael Drury has vast experience in handling extradition claims, regulatory proceedings and Interpol matters. "He is a brilliant and conscientious lawyer, particularly in the fields of security and intelligence, data and extradition," reports a source. Another commentator notes: "He's a very good lawyer, he's also not afraid of getting involved with the detail of the case and excellent at handling high net worth clients."

Shaul Brazil is well regarded by clients and other professionals for acting on complex financial crime matters, including money laundry cases. Multiple sources praise him for his pragmatism, and one commentator notes: "He's looking not just at matters from the UK but also lots of problem solving for multi-jurisdictional issues that touch on HNW individuals and tightly controlled corporates and entities. He's an extraordinarily pragmatic thinker and a highly versatile man."

Shula de Jersey is described by market sources as an "extremely good" financial crime lawyer. Her client base includes domestic and international high net worth individuals.

In relation to notable practitioners, Chambers High Net Worth states:

Anoushka Warlow is "maybe the best young lawyer to go to in England in this area," a source enthuses; "she's very smart, and detail-obsessed." An interviewee asserts: "Anoushka is phenomenally clever but also strategically astute – she looks at cases in a way senior counsel does. She sees the issues coming a mile off, and by doing that she insulates the client."

You can find out more about these rankings on the Chambers and Partners website here.