The new edition of The Legal 500 has been published with an excellent array of nominations. The editors of The Legal 500 have added another member of chambers this year to those listed previously, bringing to 11 those who have been identified by solicitors in this independent directory and regarded by The Legal 500 as "Leading Juniors".
Four of those 11 are recommended by the editors in the following areas: Graham Walters (both Property and Construction, planning and environment), Richard Cole (Commercial, banking and insolvency), Chris Howells (Employment) and Nick David Jones (Personal injury and clinical negligence).
Andrea McLean and the clerking team also receive a very positive review.
Chambers has a good spread of listings across all of its areas of practice. These new rankings however confirm not only Chambers' depth in the traditional areas of Personal injury and clinical negligence, (described by a contributor as "the leading set for personal injury in Cardiff") but also in the areas of Commercial, banking and insolvency, Employment and Regulatory, health & safety and licensing.
All members of Chambers would like to thank their instructing solicitors for their assistance and support.
The relevant page of The Legal 500 is here or as follows:
The Legal 500 Overview
"Members of Civitas Law are ‘very highly specialised in the work they undertake’, representing instructing parties from England and Wales across a range of disciplines. The set is highly regarded for public law, but personal injury and clinical negligence are also key areas of practice, with members acting for clients such as public utilities, NHS trusts and police forces. It has also seen a notable increase in commercial and Chancery cases, construction adjudications and police regulatory matters. Senior clerk Andrea Mclean is ‘always happy to help’, and her ‘very accommodating’ clerking team ‘will always try to assist with requests’"
Personal injury and clinical negligence
"Civitas Law attracts praise as ‘the leading set for personal injury in Cardiff’. Members represent central government and the Welsh government as well as a range of other instructing parties throughout England and Northern Ireland, including NHS trusts, police forces and insurance companies. The team has expertise in a wide range of highend matters, including brain/spinal injury and industrial disease cases. Nicholas David Jones recently represented a claimant who had sustained a very severe brain injury and weakness of all limbs, and required 24-hour care.
Simon Hughes - ‘He is a very methodical and thorough advocate.’
Nicholas David Jones - ‘Always brings a sense of calm.’
Bryan Thomas - ‘Very experienced, thorough and approachable.’
Joanne Williams - ‘She is thorough in her preparation, and practical and straight-talking in her advice.’
Public Law
Civitas Law has several members on the Welsh government panel and Attorney General’s Regional panel, also represents individuals in challenges to the actions of public bodies. The set has an extensive public law practice, covering education, immigration and residential care, among other areas.
Mona Bayoumi - ‘Her attention to detail and advocacy skills are second to none.’
Victoria Hillier - ‘Her advocacy is always perfectly measured.’
Commercial, banking and insolvency
Noted for its strength in depth, Civitas Law covers all aspects of commercial and Chancery law, including general contractual disputes, consumer law and consumer credit, and inheritance and probate disputes. Richard Cole is experienced in representing the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills in directors’ disqualification proceedings.
Richard Cole - ‘Regularly instructed in directors’ disqualification proceedings.’
Gareth Jones - ‘Specialises in trusts and all aspects of contentious probate.’
Anthony Vines - ‘Recommended for general contractual and consumer protection cases.’
Graham Walters - ‘Experienced in inheritance and probate cases.’
Construction, planning and environment
Civitas Law has expertise in Welsh planning matters, and members of chambers are instructed by the Welsh government, local authorities and planning professionals. In 2014, Graham Walters represented the Welsh government at an inquiry concerning the dualling of the Heads of the Valleys Road.
Graham Walters - ‘He has an excellent understanding of highways and planning law.’
Property
Civitas Law’s members deal with a wide range of cases, including boundary disputes and adverse possession claims. Graham Walters dealt with a claim to title by adverse possession in relation to unregistered land.
Graham Walters - ‘A technically excellent and very well-respected practitioner.’
Regulatory, health and safety, and licensing
Civitas Law is well regarded in the health and safety arena, dealing with civil and criminal matters arising from workplace negligence and employers’ breaches of duty. Members handle work for the Welsh government, the HSE and local authorities.
Victoria Hillier - ‘Very bright and persuasive on her feet.’
Anthony Vines - ‘His practice includes health and safety, food safety, trading standards and animal welfare.’
Graham Walters - ‘Knowledgeable about food safety law.’
Employment
Civitas Law represents both employees and employers at all levels, ranging from first-instance tribunal proceedings to appellate court hearings. Reflecting the set’s strength in handling matters devolved to Wales, a number of members undertake work for the Welsh Assembly government, as well as for local authorities, the police and other public bodies. Christopher Howells is defending Monmouthshire County Council in an unfair dismissal case involving allegations of harassment and disability discrimination.
Mona Bayoumi - ‘She is always thoroughly prepared, fully engaged and responsive.’
Christopher Howells - ‘Always provides very clear, definitive advice.’
Anthony Vines - ‘His expertise includes TUPE-related issues, unfair dismissal and restrictive covenants.’
Joanne Williams - ‘She leaves no stone unturned during cross-examination.’"
For further details, kindly contact our clerks, Andrea and Alyson on 08450 713007.
