What we do

BCL acts for claimants and defendants in high-value and complex civil litigation, often involving an international element. Our clients include international corporates, SMEs, and individuals, amongst whom are public figures and high-profile HNWs.

We specialise in civil fraud, commercial litigation, asset recovery, and sensitive personal disputes. In addition to our expertise in standalone civil disputes, our civil litigation team frequently works alongside our specialist criminal teams in civil litigation that arises out of criminal investigations and prosecutions.

BCL provides a wide range of services to corporate clients, often in contentious and high-stakes circumstances. Our significant experience in several high-risk areas enables us to work closely with General Counsel and complement existing legal teams, acting quickly to protect your business’s reputation and interests. In addition to our work dealing with investigators and regulators, we are experienced in conducting internal investigations into suspected misconduct and corporate crime.

With one of the largest specialist corporate crime teams in the UK, BCL has been instructed in most of the significant investigations conducted by the SFO, HMRC, the FCA and the CMA. As well as responding to investigations on behalf of individuals and organisations, our significant experience in dealing with investigating authorities means we are often engaged by corporations to conduct internal investigations into suspected corporate crime. 

BCL’s work in the fields of data, privacy and cybersecurity focuses on the laws which govern access to information and those which protect it. Our expertise encompasses laws relating to investigatory powers, data protection, computer misuse, and data sharing. Many of our engagements arise from demands for information by state authorities, the use of new technologies for investigative purposes, and the enforcement of data rights and obligations. 

With one of the largest specialist financial crime teams in the UK, BCL has been instructed in most of the significant investigations conducted by the SFO, HMRC, the FCA and the CMA. As well as responding to investigations on behalf of individuals and organisations, our significant experience in dealing with investigating authorities means we are often engaged by corporations to conduct internal investigations into suspected financial crime.

BCL undertakes high-stakes defensive and advisory engagements for High-Net-Worth individuals (HNWs), their family offices, and their family members to protect their liberty, livelihoods, assets, data security, and reputations from domestic and international challenge whether instigated by governments, investigating authorities, hostile corporates, or private individuals.

Regulatory compliance is increasingly in the spotlight, with the risk of severe penalties and significant reputational harm. Our longstanding expertise includes corporate manslaughter, health and safety, fire safety, building safety, food safety and hygiene, consumer protection and trading standards, and environmental protection, in addition to matters such as money laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act issues, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption compliance, cannabis licensing and proceeds, and the FCA’s regulatory regime.

The Serious & General Crime Team at BCL provides specialist and discreet advice across the whole spectrum of criminal matters, from road traffic offences through to homicide, including sexual offences, drug supply and violent crimes. We have a strong bench of top-flight individuals in our team and hold a long-established reputation as a market leader in the largest and most high-profile serious criminal cases. We advise clients before charge, at the police station, through pre-charge engagement with the police, Crown Prosecution Service and other prosecuting authorities, and offer expert representation in the magistrates’ court, the crown court and at the Court of Appeal. Many of our clients are high-profile individuals in the fields of commerce, industry, entertainment, sport and the media, where discretion and reputation management are crucial.

BCL has extensive experience representing taxpayers in relation to enquiries and investigations opened by HMRC.  BCL’s tax team have a wealth of experience in advising on all aspects of contentious tax litigation and are able to provide expert advice in relation to both civil and criminal investigations.