We are delighted to announce our continued recognition as a top-tier firm in the Legal 500 United Kingdom 2026 Guide. We've maintained our Tier 1 ranking in the Crime: General and Fraud: White-Collar Crime (advice to individuals) categories, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to providing top-tier legal services to our clients. We have also moved up a band from Tier 4 to Tier 3 in the Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime (advice to corporates) category.
We are also recognised as a leading firm in 11 practice areas and 17 of our lawyers commended for their outstanding contributions.
For full details of our rankings, visit BCL's Legal 500 Profile.
Departmental Rankings:
- Crime: General - Tier 1
- Fraud: White-Collar Crime (advice to individuals) - Tier 1
- Health and Safety - Tier 2
- Private Prosecutions - Tier 2
- Civil Liberties and Human Rights - Tier 3
- Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime (advice to corporates) - Tier 3
- Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity - Tier 4
- Tax Litigation and Investigations - Tier 4
- Financial Services: Contentious - Tier 5
- Fraud: Civil - Tier 5
- Commercial Litigation: Mid-Market - Firms to watch
Individual rankings:
Hall of Frame: Ian Burton, Richard Sallybanks, Harry Travers
Leading Partners: Ellen Peart, John Binns, Shaul Brazil, Julian Hayes, Shula de Jersey, Richard Riechman
Next Generation Partners: David Hardstaff, Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky, Anoushka Warlow, Tom McNeill
Leading Associates: Jonathan Flynn, Aleksandra Kardas
Departmental Commentary:
General Crime - BCL Solicitors LLP houses a criminal defence practice which 'is streets ahead in terms of dedication and service', offering clients expertise in sexual offence cases, robbery matters and Section 18 grievous bodily harm proceedings. Under the supervision of the 'utterly first-rate' Ellen Peart, the team predominantly advises well-known, high-net-worth clients. Peart is particularly adept at handling cases involving the possession of indecent images. David Hardstaff leverages extensive regulatory expertise and boasts a strong track record in drug supply matters. Clients praise Daniel Jackson as an 'extremely trustworthy, highly capable and deeply dedicated solicitor'. He has experience handling the full scope of criminal defence matters and has recently worked on several robbery and theft cases.
Fraud: White-Collar Crime (advice to individuals) - BCL Solicitors LLP's business crime & regulation team is recognised for its exceptional track record in representing individuals involved in high-value, complex and cross-border financial crime matters. The firm is regularly instructed in Serious Fraud Office investigations, acting for clients in cases involving bribery, corruption, money laundering and fraud. Richard Sallybanks leads the team, bringing deep experience in high-profile domestic and international financial crime investigations. Founding partner Ian Burton is a widely respected figure in the field, advising prominent individuals on cases involving commercial fraud, sanctions, and international regulation. Harry Travers is noted for his work on SFO-led fraud and corruption investigations, including contentious tax fraud. Shula De Jersey and Julian Hayes offer substantial expertise in multi-agency investigations, with Hayes frequently handling sensitive, multinational cases. Shaul Brazil and John Binns bring particular strength in POCA, asset forfeiture and sanctions. Anoushka Warlow and Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky further bolster the team's multi-jurisdictional capabilities, with practices focused on serious fraud, international defence strategy and high-net-worth individuals. Jonathan Flynn acts for individuals in financial crime investigations and proceedings, particularly those with a cross-border or multi-agency dimension.
Private Prosecutions - Noted for its ability to handle private prosecutions which have a 'complex and unusual factual background', BCL Solicitors LLP specialises in defending against such prosecutions, and excels in complex, large-scale multi-jurisdictional fraud cases. The team represents clients in courts of all levels, from appearing in the Magistrates' Court decision to grant a summons to appearing in Civil Courts and the Crown Court. Richard Sallybanks heads up the team, and is well supported by Anoushka Warlow who acts in judicial reviews. The group supplements its practice with financial crime expertise, such as demonstrated by John Binns.
Health and Safety -BCL Solicitors LLP is well-regarded for its ability to handle complex and high profile health and safety issues, including fatal accidents, major disasters and other contentious matters. The team is specialised in crime regulatory matters and routinely undertakes investigations, inquests and business-critical issues. Richard Reichman and Tom McNeill lead the team. Both have vast experience across corporate manslaughter, health and safety, food, fire and product safety, as well as environmental issues.
Civil Liberties and Human Rights - BCL Solicitors LLP represents high-profile politicians, political parties, journalists, and businessmen in complex international human rights cases, including extradition and Interpol matters, involving jurisdictions such as Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Nigeria, the UAE, and Iran. Shaul Brazil leads the team, with a focus on politically motivated cases, bad faith prosecutions, and matters related to abuses of process; Brazil has appeared in several proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights. He is ably supported by the 'very hard-working' Aleksandra Kardas, who brings experience in complex cross-border investigations, extradition matters, and Interpol applications for the removal of red notices and diffusions.
Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime (advice to corporates) - BCL Solicitors LLP is well-positioned to handle a full range of regulatory investigations and corporate crime matters, including AML, sanctions, corporate manslaughter and tax cases. The practice is led by the 'knowledgeable and astute' Richard Sallybanks, who has extensive experience dealing with both domestic and international enforcement agencies. John Binns specialises in financial crime, sanctions and tax investigations, while Tom McNeill, recognised as a 'legal mastermind', focuses on corporate crime with particular expertise in fraud, bribery and money laundering mandates.
Tax Litigation and Investigations - Aptly described as 'London's premier tax controversy, tax dispute, and elevated tax risk, legal practice', BCL Solicitors LLP is a key point of reference for criminal and civil tax matters. Harry Travers leads the team and is extremely experienced in tax avoidance litigation. Ian Burton is the key contact for significant tax investigations, and John Binns excels in tax fraud and evasion matters.
Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity - BCL Solicitors LLP is knowledgeable about data protection legislation and is actively involved in the legal development of the sector. The team is jointly led by Michael Drury CMG and Julian Hayes, who are regularly instructed to advise on multijurisdictional matters for large tech corporations, government entities and high-net-worth clients. Drury is a cybersecurity expert, while Hayes is noted for his capabilities in ransomware investigations and crisis management.
Financial Services: Contentious - Fielding an 'efficient, proactive and competent' team, BCL Solicitors LLP works with a range of high-net-worth individuals and senior executives, who turn to the team for its expertise in insider dealing, market abuse, market manipulation, mis-selling financial products, breaches of AML, breaches of internal policies, and other regulatory misconduct. Richard Sallybanks chairs the practice, bringing expertise on the full gamut of crime and regulatory investigations.
Fraud: Civil - BCL Solicitors LLP has a strong offering for civil fraud cases that is spearheaded by Robert Lawrie, an experienced litigator with extensive expertise in this arena. Shaul Brazil is also well-versed in civil fraud work for both individuals and corporations, and at the more junior level, Ewelina James is an additional contact to note.
Commercial Litigation: Mid-Market - The civil litigation team at BCL Solicitors LLP offers expert advice on financial crime, tax investigations, anti-money laundering, and sanctions work. The practice benefits from the experience and leadership of Robert Lawrie.
To see the full rankings, please click here.