Geldards LLP

Charles Felgate

Charles supervises the Planning and Environmental team, which has a significant contentious and non-contentious practice acting for both the private and public sector. The team advise on planning processes and decision making, appeals, judicial reviews, statutory challenges, enforcement and certificate applications and appeals. They also have expertise in compulsory purchase and associated compensation matters, including certificates of appropriate alternative development and references to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber). Charles advised Calderdale Borough Council in relation to the land assembly for a number of strategic transport and regeneration projects. He represented the Welsh Government in relation to the M4 Corridor around Newport proposals and in relation to marine planning policy matters and represented Powys County Council at the Mid Wales Conjoined Windfarm Inquiry. Charles advises all three of the Welsh National Park Authorities and he also has a significant section 106 practice, acting for both the private and public sectors. He recently completed a minerals planning appeal on land at Tir Pentwys, Torfaen, a planning appeal in relation to a mixed use scheme at Castlewood Business Park in Nottinghamshire and defended an application for a declaration that an historic planning permission could be implemented at Aberdyfi.

Jonathan Griffiths

Jonathan is an experienced dispute resolution Partner, advising both public and private sector clients on a range of disputes and litigation issues. He is currently most active advising on public law disputes in the Administrative Court and in procurement-related cases. He also advises on contract, defamation and sports-related issues and has participated in public inquiries. His work has involved acting for commercial organisations, central government (and central government-sponsored bodies), local government and other public bodies. He also acts for sports governing bodies and occasionally individuals. Jonathan’s cases in the Administrative Court have involved judicial review applications in relation to planning and procurement decisions as well as the exercise of powers. He has also conducted numerous statutory challenges and statutory appeals. Since 2020 he has successfully represented contracting authorities on five separate challenges to contract award decisions and managed to avoid legal action in each case. In addition, he is experienced in representing clients on procurement disputes in the Technology and Construction Court where litigation has been issued. He has also been involved in advising on sports disciplinary procedures and where those procedures have been escalated to Court action and before Sports Resolution Arbitration panels. He has resolved disputes via mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution across the entire range of his practice.

Tony Norris

Tony is a Member and heads up the National Infrastructure & Construction Team. He specialises in project work, disputes and has been an accredited Adjudicator for 20 years. His clients include central government bodies, local and other public authorities, regulatory bodies as well as acting for specialist private sector contractors in the infrastructure & construction space. Projects – he regularly advises on frameworks, call offs, joint ventures, public and privately funded projects under JCT and NEC; the Welsh MIM model and has particular experience in the waste sector with MF/1 and IChemE contracts. Disputes – renowned as a specialist, particularly in adjudication having been involved in adjudication under DOM/1 before the 1996 came into being but also with substantial experience in Arbitration, Litigation and Mediation. He is seen as an industry expert and sits on the Board of Constructing Excellence Wales and also has been chair of the South East Wales Club for over 10 years.