Ellen Peart - Partner
Ellen Peart is praised for her "impressive tactical nous and client care" (Chambers UK - The Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2009)
Ellen joined BCL Burton Copeland in 2002. From 1999, Ellen worked for Irwin Mitchell Solicitors in the Business Crime Unit in Sheffield, completing her training at a well respected high street practice.
Ellen was admitted as a solicitor in 2002 after obtaining a Joint Honours degree in Law with French from the University of Leeds. Ellen spent the third year of her degree at the University of Strasbourg studying French law from where she obtained the Diplôme de Français Juridique. She joined the partnership at BCL in March 2010.
Since joining BCL, Ellen has worked on a number of high profile and complex cases. She has acted for clients in investigations by the Serious Fraud Office and RCPO relating to conspiracy to defraud and money laundering. Notably in 2007, she acted for Michael Bright the former CEO of Independent Insurance PLC in the prosecution described by the SFO as "one of the most technical and complex cases we've had to deal with".
Ellen's practice now focuses on representing individuals and companies in relation to serious and general criminal matters.
Ellen provides specialist police station advice as well as advice to clients in relation to interviews conducted by other prosecution agencies. She has a wealth of experience and success in making representations to the CPS, or relevant prosecuting agency, that charges should not be brought.
She has particular expertise in homicide, sexual offences, assault, offences of dishonesty, harassment, firearms and internet related crime. She also advises clients on police powers relating to search and seizure of material during raids. Further she is experienced in advising witnesses for the prosecution or defence.
She has a special interest in Court of Appeal cases where she has successfully advised clients who have sought a second opinion post conviction and sentence.
She is also experienced in Trading Standards matters. More recently, she has advised television companies concerning pre-production and post-production issues.
Ellen is a member of The Law Society, The London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association, The Association of Women Solicitors, The Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association, The Young Fraud Lawyers Association (having been a past committee member from 2004 to 2006) and The Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers.
Ellen is a contributing writer to 'The Police Station Adviser's Index' (Sweet & Maxwell 4th edition revised).
She also contributes to Law Society and LCCSA responses on criminal justice policy.
