Managing Partner Guy VincentSenior Partner Ian McCulloch- Other fee-earners: 43
- Number of partners: 49
- Solicitors: 72
The Firm Over the past five years, the firm's approach and track record has enabled it to grow and to attract and retain some of the brightest people in the profession. The thought that drives the work and relationships is to deliver on the things that matter. The firm bases that delivery on its unique quality of insight, both individually and collectively. As this ensures a greater understanding of the law and its application to the clients' business, the firm knows what is important and not important, and will cut through to the critical issues. The firm is also valued for its lawyers open approach, which creates the best types of relationships with clients.
The firm has approximately 300 people, 49 of whom are partners. It works with clients across all major practice areas, with a sharpening focus in planning and major projects, public law, corporate and commercial and real estate. These skills are building on the traditional strengths the firm has in private wealth, employment, litigation, charity and the not-for-profit sectors. One area of special interest is in the advice Bircham Dyson Bell gives on influencing government policy and legislation. The firm has a market leading position in the areas of transport infrastructure and other major projects, public inquiries and promoting or opposing private and local legislation. The firm has achieved Lexcel accreditation and the international environmental standard ISO 14001.
Principal Areas of Work Highlights of the recent work Bircham Dyson Bell has continued to advise in a wide range of important actions.
Corporate & Commercial Services: The firm's Corporate and Commercial Services Team has been actively engaged in many significant transactions. It has enjoyed particular success in taking companies to market, through AIM or OFEX channels.
Real Estate: The firm's Real Estate Team continues to grow its reputation acting for a diverse range of occupiers and investors. The firm's Leasehold Enfranchisement Team won Freehold Acquisition or Lease Extension of the Year 2009.
Parliamentary, Public Law & Planning: The firm's Major Projects Group has grown to be a market leader, working on some of the biggest and most important infrastructure and regeneration projects in the UK, including for clients such as Transport for London, Docklands Light Railway, and Merseytravel. Its work includes associated planning, environmental, compulsory purchase and other public law issues, and the team is consistently ranked in the top tier of these areas.
Private Wealth: The Private Wealth Department remains one of the largest in the UK, advising a wide variety of individuals (including artists, actors from film and television, landed gentry, footballers and lottery winners) on some of the most high profile and challenging legal cases in this field of law.
Family: The Family Group has gained a strong reputation in advising individuals and couples on matrimonial matters, and in particular has led the way on civil partnership cases.
Charities & Not-for-Profit: In the third sector, the firm's award-winning Charities and Not-for-Profit Team remains a leader in its field, with over 450 UK and international charity clients.
Litigation: The Litigation Team continues to carve out a niche in judicial review cases, whilst growing its commercial and property divisions.
International As a member of Lexwork International, an association of independent law firms, Bircham Dyson Bell has associations with firms in other European and North American cities.
Areas of PracticePrivate Wealth/Charities: 27%Parliamentary, Public Law & Planning: 21%Corporate/Commercial: 20%Real Estate: 17%Litigation: 15%