Crime

7 Bell Yard is highly regarded throughout the UK for its practice in Crime. Acting for both prosecuting authorities (including several CPS units and HM Customs) and defendants, we are experienced in all areas of criminal law, including:

• Murder/manslaughter
• Fraud
• Counterfeiting
• False Accounting
• Sex Offences
• Corruption
• Death by Dangerous Driving
• Kidnapping
• Violent Disorder
• Armed Robbery
• Arson/ Criminal Damage
• Blackmail
• Threats to Kill

Family Law

Members of the Family Law team conduct cases across the whole range of this specialism and have appeared in cases from the Family Proceedings Court right up to the House of Lords. Areas of work covered include: injunctions, private and public law Children Act proceedings, Adoptions Act matters and ancillary relief cases.

The family team are able to provide suitable Counsel for any case involving disputes between parents and litigation between individuals and members of their families.

Immigration

Immigration and nationality law regulates admission to the United Kingdom for the purpose of family reunion, employment, business, retirement and temporary residence. These traditional areas of national policy and law have been increasingly influenced and directed by developments in EU law, from free movement of persons to rights under association agreements. The influence of international law has been most marked in the extensive litigation and legislation concerning asylum in the United Kingdom under the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. The Human Rights Act will add to the significance of this case-work and also provides additional grounds to promote respect for family and private life in immigration control. 7 Bell Yard members are recognised as leading practitioners in this field, with extensive experience in all areas of immigration law and practice.

Extradition

This is a rapidly expanding area of Chambers practice. Members regularly appear both at City of Westminster Magistrates Court and at the High Court on Extradition proceedings. Chambers has a particular expertise in the application of the Extradition Act 2003 in the first instance and appellate juristrictions. This compliments our existing expertise in the area of Human Rights and Immigration.

Civil & Administrative

Advisory, advocacy and appellate work across the United Kingdom undertaken in each of the following areas:

Chancery

Including Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975.

Civil procedure

Advice regarding all aspects of litigation, from pre-action stage to first instance and Appeal

Clinical Negligence

Committal Proceedings 

Company

Including s.459 petitions, shareholder and director disputes.

Commercial Contract

Supply of goods and services disputes

Construction

Claims under JCT Standard Form Building Contract; disputes over damage to commercial and residential properties.

Consumer Protection

Enterprise Act 2002; Enforcement Orders under Part 8; Fair Trading and Trading Standards.

Defamation

Effective Pre-action Protocol advice and litigation.

Employment

Advisory service arising from employment issues. Representation at all tribunal levels, particularly cross-border.

Environmental

Waste Management Licensing, End-of-life Vehicle etc, Environmental Protection Act 1990, Water Resources Act 1991 and other statutory nuisance cases.

Health & Safety

Advisory and compliance work

Injunctive Relief

Extensive experience in applying for interim injunctions in High Court and County Court cases and in preparing responses on behalf of the   respondent.

Insolvency

Generally and including winding up petitions and administrative orders.

Insurance

Disputes including breaches of warranty, utmost good faith, high value fire claims.

Inquests

Judicial Review All areas.

Landlord & Tenant

Business Leases, 1954 Act

Local Authority

Media Law

Medical Law

Money Laundering

Advice and compliance work

Personal Injury

Pre-Action Protocol Acting for industrial defendants and claimants.

Planning

Advice, inquiries and appeals

Prison Law

Professional Negligence

Road Traffic Accidents

Rural Law

CROW, Hunting Act, Agricultural tenancies, Waste Management

Shipping

Both wet and dry work undertaken

Waste Management