The success story continues for the department with the recent publication of awards in the Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession 2015, a new Associate Partner and finally more recent successes in the courtroom.

The Criminal Law department has retained its ranking as a Band 1 Firm in the North West, and is described as an “Eminent practice” with a client commenting “A seriously professional firm”.

In addition, partner Paul Schofield has also retained his status as a ‘Leading Individual’ and in Band 1 in both Crime North West, and Financial Crime nationally, being described as a “Five star operator”.

Please go to Chambers & Partners for the full entries.

Partner Jonathan Taylor, recently confirmed as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in the Legal 500 2014, commented:

“We are naturally very proud of this further recognition of our high quality work across the full spectrum of criminal law. We have been highly ranked in Chambers annually now for over 10 years, and have recently achieved Tier 1 status in The Legal 500 2014. These publications are prestigious and thoroughly researched and it is very pleasing to be at the top in both, especially as other lawyers and clients act as referees. All credit is due to the whole team for this wonderful achievement.”

The second celebration is that solicitor Sian Hall has been appointed as an Associate Partner in recognition of her work as part of the Fraud and Business Crime section of the department. Her work generally, but especially in complex cases has been outstanding and this appointment is recognition of that.

Finally, the department keeps winning cases for our clients! Please see our ‘year of wins‘ article for further information. Since that news item was published, four more important cases have been won. A former police inspector has been acquitted of very serious historic sexual abuse allegations; a criminal defence solicitor has had a case against him, alleging perverting the course of justice, dismissed; a headteacher has won a case alleging misconduct in a public office; and a client has been acquitted of multi-million pound international money laundering allegations.