9 Park Place

9parkplace.co.uk

Barrister specialising in family law, including both public and private law Children Act cases and financial order applications.

Cerys Walters

ear of Call: 2009 Clerk: Michael Lieberman Cerys currently accepts instructions in Civil Litigation, Regulatory and Family Finance matters. Her Civil Litigation practice covers traditional Chancery work, including Trusts and Land disputes as well as Commercial disputes featuring Landlord and Tenant and Insolvency. She has been appointed to the A Panel of the Welsh Government Panel of Approved Counsel. Her appointment runs for five years from 1st March 2021. In 2019 she was appointed to the Equality and Human Rights Commission Panel of Approved Counsel. Additionally, she is experienced in Housing matters and in 2016 she appeared in the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal on behalf of the Appellant tenant in the case of Lee (Flowers) v. Cardiff County Council, in a case which considered the interpretation and scope of changes to Part 83 of the Civil Procedure Rules relating to the issuing of warrants of possession that were brought in to force in April 2014. Cerys also accepts instructions in Financial Provision, Cohabitation and TOLATA claims. She is recommended by The Legal 500 2018 (Tier 1) for her Property work particularly "building disputes and adverse possession matters" whilst the previous edition recommended her as being "very experienced in housing matters." Her current and recent Civil Litigation caseload includes instructions covering: Actions against the Police including Malicious Prosecution and Employers' Liability Adverse Possession Building Disputes Commercial Property including Dilapidations Contract Consumer Credit Costs Credit Hire Housing, Homelessness and Anti-Social Behaviour including Equality Act Insolvency including Bankruptcy Petitions, Possession Orders and Orders for Sale Landlord and Tenant Nuisance / Trespass Personal Injury - RTA's, Occupiers' & Employers' Liability and Defective Premises Sale of Goods / Supply of Services Her Regulatory experience includes: Animal Welfare Anti-Social Behaviour Orders / SPO's Civil Restraint and Forfeiture Licensing Proceeds of Crime Public Interest Immunity / Disclosure Unlawful eviction Education and Awards 2005-2008: Cardiff University, LLB Law, 1st Class (Hons) 2008-2009: Cardiff University, Bar Vocational Course, Outstanding 2007: Cardiff University, Mooting Competition Winner (as judged by His Honour Judge Nicholas Cooke QC) 2008: Lincoln’s Inn, Lord Denning Scholarship 2009: Lincoln’s Inn, Buchanan Prize for Outstanding PerformanceLincoln’s Inn, Highest Ranking Student Member Called to the Bar on 28 July 2009 Wales and Chester Circuit Award for Outstanding Student of the Year 2009: Temple Chambers Award for Best Performance in Civil Advocacy She accepts instructions in public access matters in appropriate cases relating to civil litigation only.

Cerys Ann Walters

Cerys currently accepts instructions in civil litigation, regulatory and family law matters. Her civil litigation practice covers traditional chancery work, including trusts and land disputes, commercial disputes involving landlord and tenant, and insolvency, along with general common law matters encompassing cases relating to personal injury, contractual disputes, actions against the police, sale of goods/supply of services (including building disputes), credit hire and housing, homelessness and anti-social behaviour (often involving Equality Act matters). Cerys accepts instructions at all levels of claim in these matters, including multi-track, and additionally has experience in costs matters, including costs and case management hearings. Cerys regularly advises upon and appears in regulatory matters, both in respect of authorities such as South Wales Police and Gwent Police, and private individuals. Her experience ranges from animal welfare, civil restraint and forfeiture, firearms licensing appeals, general licensing matters, proceeds of crime, closure orders, domestic violence protection orders and public interest immunity disclosure. In respect of anti-social behaviour, Cerys has been involved in advising upon and the preparation of some of the very first orders sought under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (including injunctions, sexual harm prevention orders and sexual risk orders) by South Wales Police and Gwent Police, since its recent implementation. In respect of her family law practice, Cerys has substantial experience in private law disputes, as well as financial provision, cohabitation and TOLATA claims. In her chosen practice areas, Cerys is fully qualified to accept instructions under the Bar Council's Direct Access Scheme.

Christina Thomas

Christina Thomas specialises in Children Act cases, both private and public law. Formerly an employed barrister with two local authorities, where she was senior lawyer in their childcare teams, Christina entered private practice in 2003.

Christopher Felstead

Barrister specialising in family law. Christopher has a specific focus on heavy ancillary relief; particularly family businesses, farming and trusts. His experience includes numerous multi-million pound settlements and cases involving complex valuations. He also handles care work with recent cases including non-accidental head injuries and sexual abuse.

David Elias KC

Barrister focusing on all aspects of criminal law, including regulatory crime with particular experience in defending prosecutions brought by the environment agency. Head of the criminal team at 9 Park Place. Recent cases include: Environment Agency v Christopher Morgan (appearing for the defendant in disputed POCA application in relation to an illegal waste site), the Court of Appeal decision is reported at [2013] EWCA Crim 1307; Environment Agency v Siteserv Ltd and Phillip England (successful defence of company director accused of illegal tipping on farmland); R v Christopher Surman and Others (leading the prosecution of 9 defendants accused of conspiring to defraud mobile phone customers by offering worthless insurance contracts); R v Jason Casanova (defending the leading defendant in a conspiracy to bring cocaine from London to S. Wales); R v Geoffrey Wildy (successful defence of a defendant accused of laundering the proceeds of frauds worth millions of pounds).

David Gareth Evans

Barrister specialising in family (public, private and matrimonial).

Eifion Williams

Barrister dealing with all aspects of family law and personal injury law.

Emily Roderic Davies

Barrister focusing on all aspects of family law.

Gareth Thomas

Barrister specialising in general Chancery work with a special interest in planning and environmental issues. Also handles cases relating to health and safety and public inquiry work, as well as personal injury, and landlord and tenant.

Gwydion Hughes

Barrister handling Chancery and commercial work, insolvency, company law and banking. Also specialises in local government matters, property, landlord and tenant, planning and environmental law. In addition, focuses on probate, inheritance and trusts, professional negligence, personal injury and licensing.

Heath Edwards

An experienced specialist criminal advocate with a practice focusing on defending and prosecuting cases of the utmost complexity and seriousness. Conducting cases frequently involving the use of forensic accountants and the analysis of digital and telecommunications evidence (including computer, telephone and cell site analysis). Appearing to defend in the Court of Appeal in R v Ali (cold case murder referred by the Criminal Cases Review Commission), appearing in the Crown Court in R v Braddon (murder), R v Sheldon (rape), R v Phillips (Operation Dino a multi-handed insurance fraud) and R v Sweetman (multi-handed drugs conspiracy). Appearing to prosecute Operations Michigan, Versailles and Fairmont (multi-handed drug conspiracies with in excess of 100 defendants) and Operation Barcelona (multi-handed fraud). Regularly appears to defend and prosecute complex disclosure, restraint and confiscation proceedings.

Hilary Roberts

All areas of criminal law.

James Lewis

Year of Call: 2004 Clerk: James Watson / Lee Fifield James joined Chambers as a tenant in October 2014 following the successful completion of his pupillage. In October 2022 he was appointed a Deputy District Judge on the Wales Circuit. In children matters, he is routinely instructed in complex private law cases involving multiple parties, allegations of sexual abuse and domestic violence, intractable contact disputes, international and national relocation, drug and alcohol addiction and mental health. He has considerable experience in Finding of Fact (Re: L) hearings and contested Final Hearings James has acted in a broad range of public law cases on behalf of Local Authorities, private parties (including parents, grandparents and other family members) and for children by their Guardians. He has a wealth of experience dealing with contested cases involving a wide range of issues, including sexual, physical and emotional abuse, severe neglect, domestic violence, substance misuse and the causation of non-accidental injuries to a child. He is mindful of the great number of vulnerable people that find themselves in care proceedings and is adept at working with parents with learning difficulties, intermediaries and cross-examining vulnerable witnesses. James also has experience in public law cases involving the Official Solicitor. James has developed a practice in matrimonial finance, applications under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 and cases concerning financial provision for children under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. James provides advice and represents clients in complex disputes, including cases concerning business interests and pensions His work has included representing clients before District Judges, Circuit Judges and in the High Court. Chambers UK 2022 report that James acts for clients in a wide range of children law matters and is noted for his Children Act work. He deals with cases concerning allegations of abuse and injury, which often involve the examination of complex medical evidence. They comment: "He is very approachable and changes his communication style to accommodate the character of the client who he is representing." "He has an ability to put clients at ease in stressful and difficult situations. He is very through in his preparation and comprehension of his brief." The Legal 500 2021 recommends James as a Leading Junior in Child Law (Public and Private). They comment "An excellent up and coming barrister who is rated very highly particularly in relation to children matters." Prior to starting pupillage James worked as a Legal Adviser in the Magistrates’ Courts for 9 years. He sat in the Magistrates’ Court, the Youth Court and the Family Proceedings Court. James was educated at Olchfa Comprehensive School, Swansea before going on to read law at Cardiff University. He then undertook the Bar Vocational Course at Cardiff Law School.

John Vater KC

John specialises in children’s law, both public and private. In the public law sphere he represents all parties at all levels and has particular expertise in cases involving complex medical evidence. In the private law sphere, John has a particular interest in cases involving implacable hostility, issues of identity, and removal from the jurisdiction. In addition, John has wide experience of the inherent ‘best interests’ jurisdiction, having appeared in such cases for parents, subjects and the Official Solicitor. Important cases include: Re P (care orders: injunctive relief) [2000] 2 FLR 385; Hale v Tanner [2000] 2 FLR 879 (Court of Appeal); Re ET (serious injuries: standard of proof) [2003] 2 FLR 1205; A County Council v DP, RS BS [2005] 2 FLR 1031; and Re H (residence order: placement out of jurisdiction) [2006] 1 FLR 1140.

John James Evans

All areas of criminal law.

Jonathan Miles Headington

Jonathan Miles Headington has developed a busy practice with a particular emphasis on civil litigation, regulatory law and family. He has been instructed in fast-track and multi-track applications (including costs and case management) as well as small claims trials. He has extensive experience in dealing with contractual disputes and various areas of licensing law (including taxi licensing, Hackney carriage and private hire).

Joseph Edwards

Accepts instructions in civil, crime, family and employment. Experience of mercantile and chancery work and of family work during pupillage. Now developing broad practice. Extensive experience of immigration and asylum work, including appeals to the Upper Tribunal and judicial reviews. Civil work experience includes contract disputes, construction litigation, property matters and costs.

Joshua Haran

Year of Call: 2020 Josh is originally from Cardiff and was educated at Cardiff High School. Josh studied Law at the University of Bristol where he graduated with a 2:1. He proceeded to obtain the Elizabeth Bagaya scholarship from Gray’s Inn enabling him to complete the BPTC at Cardiff University, where he achieved a Very Competent. He joined Chambers as a pupil in September 2020 and accepted an offer of tenancy in September 2021. He accepts instructions in all chambers practice areas. Whilst at University Josh was awarded the Denise Coates Scholarship and became an Inner Temple PASS Scholar. He was also a Student Adviser in the university Law Clinic where, notably, he represented a client in the First-Tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support). His first six pupil supervisor wsas Owen Williams and his second six pupil supervisor was Cerys Walters.

Karl Williams

Barrister specialising in criminal law.

Kate Hughes KC

Year of Call: 1992 Year of Silk: 2021 Clerk: Michael Lieberman Kate specialises in all aspects of public and private law children work. Her cases include significant deliberately inflicted injuries, death, penetrative sexual abuse and poisoning. Recent reported cases include: Re Swansea CC v 11 Respondents [2022] EWFC 12 (04 March 2022) a case concerning multiple and varied allegations of abuse involving inter-connected families. Re AA & 25 ors (Children) [2019] EWFC 64 a case in which her client was exonerated after defending allegations that she was part of a paedophile ring; Re P & N [2019] EWHC 421 a private law case involving the use of section 91(14). Kate has drafted protocols for several local authorities and for the West Wales Safeguarding Children Board. She has provided legal advice throughout a child practice review involving the death of a child and advised the Regional Child Care Special Interest Group. Additionally Kate is a member of the national Public Law Working Group. Chambers UK 2022 reports that Kate is an experienced advocate with a strong child care practice. She frequently represents Local Authorities but also has experience acting for guardians, parents and prospective adopters in complex care cases. She handles serious charges such as head injuries, neglect and sexual abuse, as well as advising on adoption issues. Kate is consistently recommended in Legal 500 and in Chambers UK. Chambers UK 2020 describes her in the following terms: "She is extremely thorough and diligent. Kate is an effective advocate with an exacting eye for detail." "Her reassuring manner is perfect for highly emotional cases where children are involved." Previous editions have reported: 'User-friendly and an exceptionally effective advocate.' 'She is well respected and has an excellent court manner.' 'She is consistently excellent and a reassuring presence for the client.' "I find her very professional, she always knows her case well and is an excellent advocate." "She is calm, client-friendly and very sharp." "She goes the extra mile. Clients feel very comfortable with her and she gets them where she needs to be." Kate is a member of the FLBA.

Katherine Broadhurst

Barrister specialising in all aspects of family law, with particular emphasis on both public and private law Children Act work. Also undertakes work in relation to cohabitation cases and ancillary relief.

Kayleigh Simmons

Kayleigh undertakes work in all aspects of regulatory matters including licensing, food hygiene and education. She has an extensive practice acting for Trading Standards departments including all areas of consumer protection, fraud and trade mark offences. She also undertakes work involving benefit fraud and has experience of applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Kayleigh’s general common law practice includes torts, personal injury, contractual disputes and land law. She deals with landlord and tenant and housing matters including anti-social behaviour injunctions and evictions. In addition Kayleigh undertakes work in all aspects of family law including private and public children law and all fields of matrimonial work including trusts of land cases.

Kelly Chamberlain

Year of Call: 2004 (Solicitor 2005 - 2020) Clerk: James Watson / Lee Fifield Kelly is a specialist children and family law barrister with over fifteen years of advocacy experience spanning both private practice and local government. Kelly was Called to the Bar in July 2004 after which she cross-qualified and worked as a Public Child Law Solicitor. She returned to the Bar in 2020. Due to her extensive experience Kelly received a full exemption from pupillage in August 2020 and she joined 9 Park Place in January 2021. Kelly represents Local Authorities, Parents, other family members, Children, Children’s Guardians and Adopters. She specialises in public and private children law and judicial review. Recent High Court cases of note include Re X (HHJ Furness) Successful urgent out of hours application to protect and return children currently outside of the jurisdiction - habital residence, Female Genital Mutilation Proctection Orders, Tipstaff Orders, Passport seizure and Port Alerts, Orders to HM Passport Service, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and request to non-signatory Country to assist in the return of children to the jurisdiction. Re X (Francis J) Inherent Jurisdiction and Wardship, Tipstaff orders, Passport seizure and Port Alerts, Orders to HMP Passport service, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, committal proceedings. Re X (Russell J) alleged NAI in Adopters Care after adoption order application made, application for ICO and findings sought on new factual matrix. Care Proceedings Kelly has particular specialism in Care Proceedings and the following types of cases: Inflicted injury attribution cases, including but not limited to: single and multiple injuries, head injuries, fractures, alleged bone disease/genetic disorders, bruising, burns, poisoning and Fabricated or induced illness Families fleeing the jurisdiction, to avoid local authority intervention Care Order application alongside Female Genital Mutilation or Forced Marriage Protection Orders Complex emotional abuse cases, including parental alienation Chronic neglect Sexual abuse cases, including historical cases. Child trafficking and child sexual exploitation cases, including, across county lines Psychological, psychiatric and mental health issues Domestic violence Designated local authority issues Private Children Law Proceedings Kelly is also experienced in applications for private Children Law orders, including: Forced Marriage Protection Orders Female Genital Mutilation Protection Orders Child Abduction Orders Declaration of parentage orders Appointment/Discharge of a Guardian Applications for removal / to prevent removal from the jurisdiction Special Guardianship orders (freestanding and applications by family members for s.8 orders, to challenge the outcome of a Local Authority viability or connected persons assessment) Mirror Orders / applications for Council Regulation (EC) 2201/2003 (BIIR) Article 39, 40 and 41 certificates / applications for registration, recognition or non-recognition of orders under the council regulation, the civil partnership (jurisdiction and recognition of judgments) regulations 2005, the marriage (same sex couples) (jurisdiction and recognition of judgments) regulations 2014 and the 1996 Hague convention Administrative and Public Law - Judicial Review Kelly has particular expertise in judicial review challenges against local authorities. She has over 10 years of experience of advising and representing local authorities in complex constitutional, administrative and human rights-related public law claims in respect of both children and adults. Kelly also specialises in cases that involve a cross-over between the fields of social care and immigration and particularly in judicial review claims relating to age-disputed, unaccompanied, asylum-seeking children and challenges to local authority age assessments. Examples of recent cases include; Re X (Nicol J) Successful defence of application for permission to apply for Judicial Review of an Age Assessment Re X (Keyser J) Successful defence of application to set aside a judgment dismissing an application for permission to apply for Judicial Review of an Age Assessment. Re X (HHJ Jarman QC) Successful representations in response to an application for urgent interim relief in an application for permission to bring a judicial review claim in relation to an age assessment. Additionally Kelly has: Provided advice that has been implemented on a national level, by the National Adoption Agency and the Welsh Government. Sat as Chair of the National Procurement Service Evaluators Panel, for the provision of Legal Services to Child Social Services. Sat on a number of working groups and task and finish groups in relation to: SGOs, FGM, FMPOs, CSE, NRPF and Age Assessments. An interest in writing articles. She recently published a case digest entitled: ‘Re D-S (Contact with Children in Care: Covid-19) [2020] EWCA Civ 1031 - Important case for local authorities and parents seeking contact with a child in care, during the COVID19 pandemic’.

Laurence Jones

Barrister with wealth of experience in all aspects of criminal law. Equally adept in defence and prosecution work including sexual offences involving vulnerable defendants or witnesses (child and adult); drug conspiracy and associated money laundering and POCA proceedings; serious violence, fraud and regulatory crime. Also instructed in inquests (including death in custody) and court martial.

Leah Pollard

Leah Pollard has developed a diverse practice and undertakes work in all areas of criminal (prosecution and defence), general common law (claimant and defendant) and immigration, nationality and asylum law.

Lisa Thomas

Barrister specialising in family law.

Lisa Roisin Jones

Lisa is developing a civil practice, increasingly in the areas of property and general Chancery. She also accepts instructions in the areas of regulatory crime and private family law.

Matthew Roberts

Barrister specialising in criminal law (prosecution and defence), including fraud, computer-related crime and serious sexual offences.

Matthew Cobbe

Barrister focusing on criminal litigation.

Michael Hammett

Barrister specialising in criminal law (including regulatory crime), with a particular focus on the proceeds of crime and confiscation of assets. Also undertakes licensing work and deals with cases involving prison law and parole boards.

Natalie Sandercock

Year of Call: 2000 Clerks: James Watson / Lee Fifield Natalie is an established family finance practitioner and is sought out for her expertise in this field. She read Classics at Oxford University and later converted to law. She was called to the Bar in 2000 at the Middle Temple, practising initially at 30 Park Place before joining 9 Park Place in January 2018. She has been consistently ranked in legal directories, particularly for her financial remedy work: she attracts high net worth cases, including those with company law, taxation and trusts issues. She has particular experience in dealing with agricultural property/businesses on divorce, as well as civil cohabitee ’Tolata’ disputes. She has been praised for her detailed and forensic approach and her self-assured, confident manner. Natalie also has notable expertise in costs, Court of Protection, public law childcare and human rights cases involving children. Chambers UK 2022 record an experienced junior (ranked 1) who is particularly well known for taking on high net worth financial remedy cases. She is skilled at dealing with tax, trusts and business issues. Her caseload demonstrates additional expertise in proceedings involving international aspects. Strengths: "She tailors her advice to clients very well and can explain complex issues easily." "Natalie is thorough, meticulously prepared and has a down-to-earth client manner." "She is thorough, very well prepared, proactive and very efficient." "She is my top choice. She is practical, thinks about settlements and has one eye on the bigger picture." The Legal 500 2021 recommend Natalie as a Leading Junior in Divorce and Financial Remedy. They comment "She is a brilliant barrister and unmatched in the area of complex and high net worth financial matters." Previous editions of the Legal Directories say: "She is thorough, very well prepared, proactive and very efficient." "She is my top choice. She is practical, thinks about settlements and has one eye on the bigger picture." "Experienced junior who is particularly well known for taking on high net worth financial remedy cases. She also handles local authority care work, and has notable expertise in cases involving the Court of Protection and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards." (Chambers UK 2019) "Thorough, pragmatic and highly effective. Natalie's attention to detail and preparation before hearings mean that she is always thoroughly prepared." "She really knows her stuff. She is thorough and a safe pair of hands."’ (Chambers UK, 2018) ‘Recommended for matrimonial finance work’ (Legal 500, 2018) ‘She has extensive knowledge and a high-level understanding of business and complex pensions. Clients like that she hits the ground running.’ (Chambers UK, 2017) ‘She has excellent judgment and is extremely good with clients.’ (Legal 500, 2017) ‘A tenacious advocate with gravitas and authority’. ‘First class – she’s incredibly bright and a great advocate’ (Chambers UK, 2016) Natalie was appointed to sit as a Deputy District Judge on the Wales Circuit in 2011 and holds Civil, Private Law and Public Law Family authorisations.

Nicola Powell

Crime

Nuhu Gobir

Barrister covering the following areas: criminal law (all aspects), general common law, and immigration and asylum.

Owen Thomas

Barrister specialising in all areas of family law. Head of family team at 9 Park Place.

Owen Williams

Barrister specialising in all aspects of criminal law, prosecuting and defending. Owen is regularly instructed to appear in cases involving murder, serious violence, robbery, theft and large-scale drugs conspiracies. He defended as junior counsel in a series of cases arising from a major investigation of historic sexual and physical abuse in children’s homes in South Wales. Owen also has experience in a wide range of cases prosecuted by local authorities and government departments.

Owen Prys Lewis

Owen handles a broad range of contractual disputes including building and construction work. He has recently appeared in cases involving a contract for the reconstruction of a racing car and a maritime partnership dispute. In the field of landlord and tenant Owen regularly appears for both lessor and lessee. He has recently appeared in cases involving commercial leases and in housing disputes. Owen also regularly acts in property disputes and his recent court appearances in this field have involved a dispute over a water supply and right of way which included prohibitory injunctions as well an environmental dispute concerning a property in Aberystwyth and a dispute involving trespass and nuisance. In personal injury matters Owen is used to representing both claimants and defendants. In addition to road traffic cases he has experience in employment-related accidents as well as in cases involving deafness and asbestos-related conditions. In 2010 he appeared for the claimant in the Court of Appeal case of Keir v Morrison Supermarkets ltd where the court upheld damages awarded to the claimant for liquid gas burns suffered whilst filling his vehicle with petroleum gas. Owen undertakes a wide range of tribunal work: (a) in the Lands Tribunal he has recently appeared in cases involving title to unregistered land and the ownership of common land; (b) in disciplinary tribunals he appears for both employers and employees and recently handled a dispute between a school headmistress and her local authority employer; (c) he represented a social worker at a hearing conducted by the Care Council of Wales concerning her fitness to practise. Owen’s employment practice includes employment tribunals such as, by way of recent example, acting on behalf of a local authority in Anglesey against a senior employee and appearing for a wealth management company in an unfair dismissal case. Owen is a fluent Welsh speaker who is able to undertake cases through the medium of Welsh.

Phillip Morris

Phillip is a specialist civil practitioner who brings his personable and knowledgeable approach to a practice that includes chancery, commercial, personal injury, administrative, employment and common law work. His work encompasses all aspects of chancery law including property, boundary and rights of way disputes in civil courts and in HM Land Registry Adjudications, and trusts, probate and Inheritance Act matters. Phillip also handles commercial and common law work including contract claims, building disputes, business tenancy renewals, and insolvency matters. His personal injury work involves fast track and multi track claims for claimants and defendants in matters such as road traffic accidents, including those where fraud is alleged, highway tripping claims and occupiers’ liability proceedings. He is experienced in handling the ever-increasing number of Mitchell and Jackson types of applications in civil cases. Phillip is also regularly instructed to handle employment cases across a wide a range of issues, including unfair dismissal, redundancy, unpaid wages and TUPE claims, and he appears for both claimants and respondents in the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal. In the field of administrative law, his work includes judicial review matters acting for both claimants and defendants, planning disputes and village green inquiries, where he has acted for applicants and objectors alike. Some of Phillip’s notable cases in recent years include: successfully resisting an appeal in the Court of Appeal on conduct subsequent to a conveyance being of relevance to a boundary dispute; a four-day Court of Protection hearing (High Court) in successful opposition to a husband’s attempt to become welfare deputy for his wife; a three-day village green inquiry concerning land owned by a private objector; appearing on behalf of a local authority in defending a challenge to its taxi drivers’ licensing policy; successfully appealing to the Employment Appeal Tribunal on an error of law made by the tribunal below; acting as junior Counsel in judicial review proceedings in the High Court and Court of Appeal concerning the closure of a primary school; appearing for four defendants in a five-day hearing over boundary and right-of-way issues. Phillip has also been instructed in multi-party accident claims involving damages in excess of £150,000; successfully opposed an appeal in the Court of Appeal against the making of a suspended possession order in relation to residential premises; and handled a professional negligence claim against a solicitor for failing to advise a client of a caution over a property, including succeeding at a trial on a preliminary issue concerning limitation.

Rhian Kirby

Year of Call: 2000 Clerk: James Watson /Lee Fifield Rhian is a leading junior barrister in the field of childcare law, and her practice area covers the whole of South Wales. She is considered a team player when instructed in a case, and welcomes a dialogue with solicitors during the pre-proceedings process to assist in the early preparation of the case. Whilst being a hard working individual with attention to detail, Rhian is renown for quickly building a rapport with the client as her entry in Chambers UK 2016 illustrates. She is recognised as being approachable to professional and lay clients alike, and empathetic in dealing with the sensitive matters raised within family and care proceedings. Going hand in hand with this approach is her ability to communicate advice clearly and concisely to the solicitor and client, tailoring the manner in which such advice is conveyed to ensure clarity and understanding. Rhian is a fluent Welsh speaker capable of conducting both conferences and hearings through the medium of Welsh. For many years, Rhian has provided CPD training to solicitors and counsel alike as to recent developments in case law and legislation. This of course necessitates a clear understanding and capacity to analyse the subject matter. She has experience of lecturing university students and has undertaken the same through the medium of Welsh. Rhian has developed a thriving practice within the field of care proceedings. She has a varied practice, representing local authorities, parents and guardians alike, and cases have included representing Local Authorities in cases of complex historical non-accidental injury spanning many years and often involving sibling groups, representing parents and grandparents facing allegations of sexual abuse and / or physical abuse, representing Guardians and children who are competent to give instructions. Rhian is also regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor to represent adults with cognitive difficulities. Notable and Reported cases Re Swansea CC v 11 Respondents [2022] EWFC 12 (04 March 2022) a case concerning multiple and varied allegations of abuse involving inter-connected families. Carmarthenshire County Council v Y [2017] EWFC 36 Re R (An Infant) [2016] EWFC 60 Family & Child Care Rhian’s practice focuses on Local Authority work, parent and guardian work within the area of family and childcare. Additionally, her previous experience of working within a busy Local Authority child care team has provided her with in-depth and invaluable experience as to the complex workings and structures of the processes relevant to a practice in child care. Chambers UK 2022 record that Rhian is a strong junior with a wide-ranging care practice. She acts for Local Authorities and parents in challenging matters such as those involving non-accidental injury and sexual abuse. The Legal 500 2021 recommend Rhian as a Leading Junior in Child Law (Public and Private). Recommendations "She works tirelessly and diligently for those she represents. She is an extremely effective advocate who is thorough and exacting in her detailed preparation." (Chambers UK, 2022) 'Her strength is her ability to communicate with her clients and win their confidence.' (Legal 500, 2021) 'An exceptional barrister. The paperwork she prepares is always of the highest standard. She is an effective advocate who is well thought of by the judiciary and her peers.' (Chambers and Partners, 2018) 'She is pleasant, user-friendly and very good at what she does.' (Chambers UK, 2018) Strong junior with a varied care practice, representing local authorities, guardians and parents in non-accidental injury and abuse cases, among others. Interviewees note her excellent manner with vulnerable clients and her handling of complex issues. Strengths: "She is extremely patient, has excellent preparation, is very approachable and experienced. More than a safe pair of hands." (Chambers UK 2017) 'Well-regarded barrister who specialises in representing local authorities, guardians, parents and other family members in care proceedings. She has particular experience in cases involving non-accidental injury and allegations of historical sexual or physical abuse.' "She is very comprehensive, very approachable and very good on a personal level in building a relationship of trust with guardians." (Chambers UK 2016) Education & Qualfication 1999-2000: BVC Inns of Court School of Law London (Very Competent grade) 1996-1999: LL.B (Hons) Cardiff University 1989-1996: Secondary Education at Queen Elizabeth Maridunum School, Carmarthen Awards Hardwick Scholarship for BVC year (1999-2000) Sir Thomas Moore scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn) for pupillage year (2001-2002)

Rhys Davies

Crime: general and regulatory; family: Children Act and matrimonial finance; personal injury; Chancery; employment.

Richard Ace

Barrister handling all aspects of criminal law.

Roger Griffiths

Specialist crime practitioner. Former lead of criminal team at Temple Chambers, Cardiff. Specialises in prosecution of complex drug conspiracies and cases involving money laundering and asset recovery but also has extensive experience in all trials of criminal proceedings including murder and sexual offenses. Often instructed in cases involving the serious organised crime agency and regularly appears before Court of Appeal.

Steven Donoghue

Barrister specialising in criminal work.

William Seagrim

Family (all aspects) William Seagrim specialises in family law, practising in all areas within that field. William is experienced; he has appeared in notable cases; and he is published on family law, including writing the practitioner’s text, Public Children Law: A Case Law Compendium (Bloomsbury Professional, 2022), and journal articles. William is also a consultant editor, on the law in Wales, for ‘Hershman and McFarlane: Children Law and Practice’ (Bloomsbury Professional).

William Hughes KC

William Hughes is a criminal law specialist with a mixed prosecution and defence practice. In addition he has considerable experience in Regulatory, Disciplinary, Inquiries, Coroner’s Inquests and Local Government work. His criminal defence work includes homicide, serious sexual offences and other grave crime, particularly those cases involving vulnerable defendants and witnesses, together with VAT and Revenue fraud, fraudulent trading, money laundering and related confiscation proceedings. He has wide experience defending drug-related crime and resultant drug trafficking and CJA, DTA and POCA confiscation proceedings. Notable recent cases include Florowski & Ors (2013) [Silk leading] – murder, attempted murder and arson by foreign national; Weinreb (2013) [Silk alone] – successful defence of attempted murder and GBH; Lopez (2013) – gang-related, multi-handed GBH and violent disorder (defendant the subject of cut-throat by all the other defendants); Tidy & Anr – baby-shaking and abuse by parents of baby; Batchelor – long-term, high-value VAT fraud and McLaughlin (2012) – stranger rape. William is regularly instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service, in particular SOCA prosecutions on behalf of the CPS Serious Organised Crime Division, Central Fraud Group. He is often instructed in drugs cases with an international element, including related POCA, DTA civil and criminal legislation. Notable recent prosecution cases include lneomo & Ors (2013) [Silk alone] – prosecution of multi-defendant long-term VAT reclaim fraud; R v SC (2013) – prosecution of rape in abusive relationship; Jones (2013) – prosecution of predatory paedophile; and Koli [2012] EWCA Crim 1869; [2012] Crim. L. R. 903; [2013] 1 Cr. App. R. (S.) 6 – which was the first UK prosecution of a breach of a Serious Crime Prevention Order and is, at the time of writing, the guideline case with regard to sentencing. William has extensive experience advising and representing local authorities with regard to criminal and quasi-criminal matters and trading standards prosecutions. He has defended and presented in disciplinary tribunals for many years and is a legal advisor to disciplinary panels in Police Misconduct hearings. His notable inquest caseload includes Re Michael Melchert (2012) where he acted for landlords of the premises in which the deceased was killed when the building caught fire, and Re Frank Ogburu (2010) where he acted on behalf of four police officers in a death-in-custody case.

David Elias KC

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