Peter Watkin Jones > Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP > Cardiff, > Lawyer Profile

Peter Watkin Jones

+44 292 047 7101 peterjones@eversheds.com

Work Department

Peter is the partner who leads the firm's Inquiries and Investigations practice. He is a mediator accredited with CEDR and the ADR Group, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He is one of the leaders of the firm's Central Government Sector group.

Peter is currently leading a team of lawyers acting for the high profile and crucially important public inquiry chaired by Robert Francis QC into possible regulatory and commissioning shortcomings at the Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust. This is an inquiry established by the government under the 2005 Inquiries Act, and was the quickest such inquiry on record, completing its evidence gathering and assessment within 12 months from start to finish. He is also currently acting for the Metropolitan Police Authority, and the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime in the current Leveson "hacking" inquiry.

Peter and his team specialise in acting for public inquiries, and in managing, collating and assessing all evidence for such inquiries. Past major public inquiries include the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, where Peter led a team of over 30 lawyers for 7 years, and the Shipman Inquiry, where the team was 20 lawyers. Peter and his 20 strong team also acted for 4 years for Sir Michael Morland's public inquiry into the killing of Northern Ireland solicitor Rosemary Nelson. Peter has also acted for interested parties in Child Abuse inquiries, and in relation to e.coli outbreaks in schools. He has acted for the Children's Commissioner for Wales, and has conducted an investigation and reported on the need for reform in the area of school exclusions.

Peter has also advised the Government of Sudan on issues of international law arising out of the Darfur crisis, and the intervention of the International Criminal Court. He has acted for a past police commissioner in inquisitorial proceedings in Paris instigated at the behest of Mr Al Fayed, and arising out of the deaths of Princess Diana, and Dodi al Fayed. He has been trained by the International Criminal Law Bureau on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

In addition to his public inquiry work, Peter also specialises in Fitness to Practice proceedings, having represented the General Medical Council for 7 years. He also acts in resolving commercial disputes, particularly in the public sector, where he is lead partner for our contentious work undertaken for the Welsh Assembly Government. He acted last year for the Dover Harbour Board in a public inquiry arising out of the setting of dues for ferry operators using Dover port.

Peter is a regular contributor to radio and television programmes commenting on current legal topics. He lectures and teaches on interviewing techniques, and has addressed the International Bar Association, and the Chancery Bar association on related topics. He also leads teaching seminars on investigations in the healthcare sector.

Peter is a member of the Law Society, the Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers, and is fluent in French and Welsh. 

Peter is included in 3 sections of the legal guides, being Commercial Dispute resolution, Public and Administrative Law, and Professional Discipline.

Quotes from Chambers and Partners Legal Directory:

Administrative & Public Law: Public Sector Law & Governance - London & UK-wide

2012: Peter Jones is head of the Inquiries and Investigations team and is "wholly focused on achieving the best outcome for the client," sources say.
2011:  Peter Jones heads the Inquiries and Investigations team and is "an absolute mastermind" in that area as well as "a superb organiser of the team."

Dispute Resolution - Wales

2012: Peter Jones is commended for his excellent client service with sources hailing him as "always positive, supportive and pragmatic in his advice." He has great experience in investigations and inquiries.
2011: Peter Jones is "an absolute litigation mastermind." With vast experience in resolving public sector disputes, he has been instructed to act on a number of high-profile public inquiries.

Position

Partner

Languages

Fluent French and Welsh