Our Awards
Chambers and Partners
The firm has been consistently recommended in Chambers and partners (an independent guide to the profession) for a number of years.
In the 2023 edition the firm is ranked as follows:
For its work as criminal defence solicitor specialists crime band 1 in Leeds, and Liverpool.
The firm is also recognised for its defence work in Financial Crime in band 2.
Rob Rode is recommended as a leading lawyer for his work in financial crime in the regions.
What the team is known for:
ABR solicitors is a niche fraud, crime, regulatory, mental health and prison law practice with its head and back office in Leeds. It also has offices in Liverpool, Nottingham and London. ABR is committed to operating in a digitalised court process.
The firm believes in ensuring that individuals and companies are properly represented in their case, and that every case is different. To do so it always fully assesses and challenges evidence.
ABR is committed to fighting for all its clients, both publicly and privately funded.
Notable practitioners
Rob Rode is recognised in the market for his work in financial crime, offering particular strength in matters pertaining to tax fraud. His strengths are recognised as:
"Rob Rode is an excellent tactician, always striving for the best result for his client."
"He is intellectually sound in the arguments he puts forward, he understands the law and how to approach cases."
"He is very dynamic, charismatic and exceptionally good with clients."
Legal 500
The firm has also been recommended by the Legal 500, another independent guide to the profession for several years. The latest edition (2023) ranks the firm as a tier 1 firm for our work as criminal defence lawyers and at tier 3 for its work in the defence of fraud and related matters.
Rob Rode is recognised as a leading individual in both crime and fraud.
‘Rob Rode and his team have a well deserved national reputation. They are extremely experienced and regularly deal with high profile matters.’
‘Excellent partners and staff. Particular expertise in heavy complex crime and mental health. Always available, unfailingly courteous with clients, yet with a steely resolve to achieve results.’
‘This firm is particularly strong in Leeds and West Yorkshire. They are really very good at handling major complex defence cases and in particular serious fraud. A first rate firm with strong team delivering one of the best overall services in the area.’
‘Rob Rode will never let the client down. He is utterly tenacious but with top class tactical instincts.
Other Awards
Rob Rode was shortlisted for Managing Partner of the Year in the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2020
James McAulay has been shortlisted for Partner of the Year in the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2020
Fraud Law firm of year – UK (Corporate Intl 2020)
Fraud Law firm of year – UK (M&A Today Global Awards 2020)
Fraud Law firm of year – UK (ACQ5 Global Awards 2020)
Fraud Law Firm of year – UK (Global Law Experts 2020)
Criminal Defence firm of the year (Finance Monthly 2020)
Leading Specialist Criminal Defence Firm of year – UK (Global 100 2020)
Criminal Law firm of year – UK (Corporate America Today 2020)
Criminal Defence Law Firm of year – UK (M & A Today Global Awards 2020)
Criminal Law Firm of year – UK (Corporate Intl 2020)
Criminal Defence Law firm of year – UK (Global Law Experts 2020)
Best Practice Operator – UK (ACQ5 Country awards (every decade) 2020)
Mental Health Lawyer of the year – UK (ACQ5 Global Awards 2020), James McAulay
Mental Health Lawyer of year – UK (Dealmakers Monthly 2020), James McAulay
Individual Mental Health Lawyer of the year – England (M&A Today Global Awards 2020), James McAulay
Best Specialist Fraud and Regulatory Defence Solicitor – UK (SME news 2020), Rob Rode
Leading Specialist Criminal Defence Solicitor of Year (Lawyer International Legal 100 2020), Rob Rode
International Advisory Experts Award – Criminal Defence – UK (2020), Rob Rode
Criminal Law Lawyer of Year – UK (Corporate America Today 2020), Rob Rode
Regional Criminal Defence Lawyer of Year – UK (ACQ5 Global Awards 2020), Rob Rode
Monthly-Fraud Lawyer of the year – UK (Dealmakers 2020), Rob Rode