Business Articles

23rd November 2005 - Nelsons lawyers named as leaders in their field

Five lawyers from East Midlands' law firm, Nelsons, have been ranked as leaders in their field in a leading independently researched legal directory, Chambers UK.

The directory, which the publishers say is a 'Clients' Guide to the UK Legal Profession', names Lynn Bleakley, Jocelyn Taylor, Simon Chaplin, Samantha Rastogi and David Smith as leading ranked lawyers.

Partner and head of Commercial Defence Services, Lynn Bleakley is, according to the directory's sources, recommended in the Midlands for her fraud work as "A1 fantastic." One of her clients is quoted as saying: "She is knowledgeable, personable and good at keeping me up to date whether it is good or bad." Nelsons also appears as a recommended firm for Fraud, with Chambers highlighting the team as having recently successfully defended directors in a prosecution by the DTI for the alleged fraudulent trading of £2 million, as well as having worked on an alleged £10 million insurance fraud (also now successfully defended).

Jocelyn Taylor is regarded as "well-respected" for Construction in the Midlands. A partner and head of her team at Nelsons, Mrs Taylor is referred to by Chambers as the guiding force behind the RIBA telephone helpline. The directory says: "Her mix of non-contentious and litigious skills provides her with valuable insight into the contractual ambiguities that can lead developments into difficulties during construction."

"Sharp and astute" is how Nelsons' head of Crime is referred to in this year's edition of Chambers. Named as a leader in his field in the East Midlands, Simon Chaplin was particularly noted for his work acting for parties charged with offences relating to local turf wars.

Nelsons is also featured for the first time as a recommended firm for Police actions, having "straight-up claimant lawyers who are rapidly emerging in the Midlands." According to Chambers, the firm has "impressed onlookers with its burgeoning profile," "winning high acclaim" and being "particularly recommended for its work in connection with malicious prosecution and discrimination claims." An associate in the department, Samantha Rastogi is named as a leader in her field, being cited as "thorough, committed and on the ball." The directory notes she undertakes most types of civil liberties and human rights cases, and quotes sources as saying she "gets the work done with creativity" and attracts "real quality work."

Consultant David Smith is also ranked as a leader in his field in the East Midlands. Advising on all areas of immigration, including business immigration matters, but not asylum and publicly funded work, Mr Smith is said by Chambers to be "well known for his advice on work permits, family-related applications and immigration cases within the Pakistani community."

In addition, Nelsons was included as a recommended firm for Debt Recovery and Family/Matrimonial in the Midlands. For Debt Recovery, Chambers says: "The team offers a telephone collection service in a number of different languages. Pre-legal negotiation is prioritised over court action threats, and additional services include full tracing facilities, credit checks and companies' house searches. In line with an expansion of European and overseas work, the practice continues to grow."

For Family/Matrimonial, the directory says: "Even though it has a large well-known publicly funded practice, Nelsons maintains its expansion into the privately funded sector. In the past twelve months, the family team handled over 30 ancillary relief cases with assets over £1 million each."

Chambers UK, which is researched through interviews with clients and peers, ranks lawyers on the basis of technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities that clients say they consider relevant.

Nelsons is also featured in the 2005 edition of Legal 500, another independently researched legal directory. The firm is listed as one of the East Midland's regional heavyweights and also appears as recommended in Corporate & Commercial, Commercial Property, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Insolvency & Corporate Recovery, Employment, Family, Personal Injury, Crime & Fraud, and Personal Tax, Trusts & Probate.

One of the largest independent law firms in the county, Nelsons has over 360 staff across its three offices in Derby, Nottingham and Leicester.

Nelsons Office Locations:

Web: www.nelsonslaw.co.uk - Email: enquiries@nelsonslaw.co.uk