Our reputation speaks for itself:
Quotes about us from Chambers UK A Client's Guide to the Legal Profession 2008
1. Fraud Civil (Band 1)
Peters & Peters
The Firm: This team is historically known for its leading role in the white-collar crime and criminal defence area but it has made significant inroads into the representation of claimants in civil fraud actions over the past few years. Now offering five dedicated partners, each with deep regulatory and criminal expertise, market sources describe the team as being "a small, lean fighting machine, regularly punching above its weight." One client distinguishes this group for being "one of the most competent, accessible, fast and value-for-money teams I have come across," while another added: "If you are going to war, they are not afraid to get into the trenches!" The team is also praised for the prompt attention it gives immediate issues and requests, and its good development of longer-term aims and options.
The Lawyers: Senior Partner of the firm Keith Oliver generates acclaim for being "someone who can always get under the fingernails of the issues". His current caseload includes the leading role in the cartel litigation commenced by The Secretary of State for Health against a number of leading pharmaceutical companies involving claims in excess of £100 million. Here his ability to assemble a first class team earns him further points on the popularity scale with clients. Oliver has also been acting in the high-profile Formula 1 litigation, where he gains approval for delivering great results in tricky situations. One client stated: "Keith stands out for being incredibly successful and a savvy Operator he knows how to be commercial while protecting or defending the interests of clients." Tony Lewis is well versed in all aspects of commercial fraud work but engenders particular praise for his strong work within the money laundering area. "On the ball, clued-up and commercially minded," he has recently been acting for a Utah-based training company with global reach in a claim over the misuse of training materials in his jurisdiction. Described as the "heir apparent" to Oliver, Steve McCann attracts attention in his own right for his "impressive and dedicated" work in this area. Clients highlight him for his "finely tuned antenna and ability to pick up the nuances of cases", and further describe him as a "dynamic, good listener who always keeps his wits about him". Fellow partner Jonathan Tickner has extensive experience in dealing with multi-jurisdictional emergency procedures. He regularly deals with claims involving search orders, freezing injunctions, document preservation orders and information orders. Sources distinguish him on account of his "creative thought process"
2. Fraud: Criminal (Band 1)
Peters & Peters
The Firm: "One of the golden firms in the area," the team here has been at the vanguard of the field for a number of years now. The team remains an intimate size, which, although smaller than many, does not prevent it from delivering a "top-class service." It acts for governments, corporates and and individuals on a wide range of issues including extradition, mutual legal assistance, money laundering, FSA investigations and international regulation. Cartel work has been a massive growth area for the firm, and it has obtained the first 'no action' letter issued by the OFT. Its reputation in the marketplace is that of a hard-working, dedicated and motivated firm with Bar members commenting on its ability to "negotiate problems away,based on sound preparation of the facts coupled with an in-depth knowledge of the relevant area of the law." The firm has quietly secured a role on some of the key matters in the marketplace including acting for a public servant in the recent cash for honours inquiry, acting for an individual in the BAE AI-Yamamah arms for contacts inquiry and acting for British Airways against allegations of price fixing relating to fuel surchages by the EC, the US Department of Justice and the OFT.
The Lawyers: Head of the fraud and regulatory department and "one of the wisest heads in the business" Monty Raphael "can always be relied upon for the soundest, most practical advice." His years of experience also make him a "dominant character in the field," while his name remains synonymous with technical and academic brilliance. He acted on the cash for honours inquiry as well as the Siemens case, acting for an individual being investigated by Swiss and German prosecutors. Jo Rickards has "a huge amount of energy, and yet manages to be very calming and reassuring." Said to get involved in some of the highest profile matters, "she is a significant player in this field." Rickards has acted on a series of serious and complex fraud investigations of late, including representing several senior company executives in pending separate SFO investigations. She also acted on the cash for honours inquiry. "Young, successful and reliable," Michael O'Kane is coming up through the ranks according to barristers, while fellow solicitors espy a lawyer who is "extremely good to work with, even when the going gets tough." O'Kane focuses on domestic and international business crime and regulation while recent cases involve acting for a manager employed by British Airways Worldwide Cargo in a cartel investigation by the US Department of Justice. Much of the work of "rising star" Anand Doobay has an international flavour. "A real specialist for extradition," he acts on international criminal investigations, extraditions, mutual legal assistance, tax and mainstream fraud work in the UK. Louise Delahunty has now joined Simmons & Simmons.
3. Competition: White-Collar Crime; Cartel Defence (London) Peters & Peters
The Firm: Operating a prominent white-collar crime practice, the firm consistently displays expertise in all aspects of fraud and cartels. Sources explain that "they do good business acting for individuals in cartel matters" and add that "this is increasing in the UK and Europe." Clients regard the firm as "top of the league in this area of competition law," and consider that the practice has "cornered a niche." One interviewee explained that the firm's client-friendly approach and "ability to de-mystify the law" contribute to its popularity as a source of counsel. The firm is particularly experienced in handling SFO and FSA investigations, as well as market abuse and insider dealing issues. The firm recently acted on behalf of the NHS in pursuing a £ 100 million price-fixing claim against a number of pharmaceutical companies.
The Lawyers: Sources identify Michael O'Kane and Jonathan Tickner as the firm's leading practitioners.
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Quote from The Legal 500 - 2007 (current edition)
1. Fraud – Commercial and regulatory investigations
Peters & Peters' Keith Oliver is hailed as ‘the doyen of civil fraud work'; ‘what he does not know about fraud is not worth knowing’. He advised the Secretary of State for Health in relation to the NHS cartel fraud. Jonathan Tickner, who has ‘grown up in fraud work and knows the area inside-out’, recently advised Dover Harbour Board on a multimillion-pound claim against an employee for conspiracy to defraud. Sarah Gabriel is also singled out for praise; she is ‘incredibly bright’ and ‘leaves no stone unturned’.
2. Fraud – Criminal
Renowned for its criminal fraud practice, Peters & Peters is ‘brilliant’ in corruption and cartel cases. The ‘outstanding’ Jo Rickards is representing a client on the ‘cash-for-honours’ inquiry; and is also instructed in relation to the BAE corruption affair. Other recent matters include representing a client in an SFO inquiry into alleged corruption involving Egyptian public officials, and representing four BA executives in the OFT cartel investigation into alleged price-fixing. Claire Lipworth is highly recommended.
3. Customs & Excise
Peters & Peters’ superlative customs and excise practice has strength in depth. A highlight for the firm was acting for Optigen and Fulcrum Electronics on their landmark ECJ case against the Commissioner of Customs and Excise. Monty Raphael and Sarah Gabriel are both highly recommended.
4. VAT and indirect tax
Peters & Peters impress with solid VAT capability. Significant recent instructions include acting for a client in connection with and alleged multimillion-pound overpayment of tax by HMRC to a VAT repayment claim agent. Department head Monty Raphael has a strong reputation as does Sarah Gabriel.
Click here for Legal 500 - 2007
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Martindale Hubbell Directory's website
International Bar Association's website
American Bar Association's website
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