Tony Norris > Geldards LLP > Cardiff, United Kingdom > Lawyer Profile

Under the leadership of the ‘outstanding’ Tony Norris, Geldards LLP ‘takes on all areas of construction work at the very highest level’ for a public sector-focused client base. Recognised as being ‘tough and commercial’, Norris’ market-leading reputation regularly sees him instructed by the Welsh government on many of its key infrastructure projects. In addition, on the contractual front, framework agreements he has drafted have become the industry standard and are used in relation to the majority of local authority and police capital projects in the South West of Wales. Claire Laviers, who was promoted to partner in August 2023, regularly assists Norris on major public sector-led work, as well as handling her own deal flow for local authorities and stakeholders in the private sector (including on complex multi-party projects).

Able to provide ‘a one-stop-shop across all disciplines’, and with an overarching knowledge of the nuances and intricacies of the Welsh public law framework, Geldards LLP remains a popular choice among local and central government bodies. Under the guidance of the ‘exceptionally strong’ Charles Felgate, the firm has been very visible in the planning sphere, regularly advising public sector clients on major Welsh transport/infrastructure projects, both from a contentious and non-contentious perspective. Notably, he recently secured an important victory for a Welsh national park, in what was one of the most consequential planning decisions to reach the higher courts over the last two decades. ‘Outstanding’ construction lawyer Tony Norris is ‘brilliant to work with’, regularly advising central government and local authorities on the contractual aspects of key infrastructure projects, as well as in any subsequent arbitrations. Commercial litigator Jonathan Griffiths excels at public procurement ligation, while employment lawyer Helen Snow, who oversees the multi-disciplinary public sector offering, is particularly skilled in relation to agricultural workers’ terms and conditions in Wales.

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