Civitas Law has been delighted to see that the editors of the new Legal 500, which was published yesterday, have confirmed chambers as a first-tier set and has identified up to 26 nominations of leading silks and juniors across its areas of expertise. This is more than twice the number of any other set on circuit in our areas of practice.
Nick David Jones of the Management Board said "It is great to see the recognition of the level of service we provide: not only the breadth of our expertise and the speed of performance by our barristers but also the help and approachability of our clerking team."
"I must thank our instructing solicitors for their continuing support and all those working at Civitas Law to maintain our levels of service."
The text from The Legal 500 is as follows.
Set overview
"Civitas Law has ‘breadth of expertise' in civil and public law, where the barristers are ‘competent, quick to turn around advice, and able to get to grips with matters quickly'. Members handle various public authority matters, notably devolved to the Welsh government and National Assembly for Wales.
The personal injury and clinical negligence team is well known for its strength in depth and barristers attract instructions from all over England and Wales on complex, high-value matters. A number of members, including Mona Bayoumi, have been appointed to the Welsh Government Panel of counsel. Andrea Mclean leads the clerking team, which is ‘approachable, willing to help and easy to deal with'."
Commercial, banking and insolvency
"Civitas Law’s vastly experienced commercial and Chancery group undertakes work in areas ranging from contested wills, probate and intestacy to consumer credit, company law and partnership disputes. Richard Cole has recently acted for the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills in a series of cases involving directors’ disqualification proceedings."
- Richard Cole - ‘Experienced in director disqualification proceedings.’
- Gareth Jones - ‘His expertise spans the administration of estates and Inheritance Act claims.’
- Nicklaus Thomas-Symonds - ‘His commercial and Chancery practice includes challenges to wills and family provision cases.’
- Anthony Vines - ‘Knowledgeable in all aspects of commercial litigation, including consumer law and contractual disputes.’
- Graham Walters - ‘Undertakes a significant amount of inheritance and probate work.’
Construction, Planning and Environment
Civitas Law attracts instructions from planning professionals and public authorities alike. In 2013, Graham Walters was involved in a High Court challenge to the grant of planning permission for a wind farm.
- Graham Walters - ‘Knowledgeable in all aspects of Welsh planning law.'
Employment
"Recognised for their ‘strong technical knowledge' Civitas Law’s barristers attract a significant following from Welsh public sector employers, but practitioners also handle work for employers and employees in the private sector."
- Mona Bayoumi - ‘Recommended for her broad employment practice.’
- Christopher Howells - ‘His work for both claimants and defendants gives him a balanced perspective.’
- Joanne Williams - ‘Particularly experienced in discrimination cases and in representing government departments.’
Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence
Civitas Law’s barristers have expertise in all aspects of personal injury and clinical negligence including occupiers’ liability, travel claims, fatal accidents and medical neglect. In 2013, Theo Huckle QC, whose practice includes a significant amount of industrial disease work, led in test trials against BT involving noise induced hearing loss, and Boots Plc involving carpal tunnel syndrome. The set is praised for its ‘good spread of counsel'.
- Theo Huckle QC - ‘Noted for his expertise in appellate cases.’
- Andrew Arentsen - ‘A specialist in claims where there is complex and often conflicting evidence.’
- Michael Brace - ‘Extremely well regarded for his expertise in industrial disease litigation.'
- Simon Hughes - ‘His broad practice includes Animals Act and product liability claims.'
- Nicholas David Jones - ‘Represents both claimants and defendants, including the Welsh government, in high-value litigation.'
- Robert O’Leary - ‘Experienced in group and multi-party litigation.'
- Bryan Thomas - ‘Extremely thorough and reliable.’
- Joanne Williams - ‘A highly effective advocate in all areas of personal injury.’
Property
Civitas Law handles cases involving issues such as boundary disputes and easements. Practitioners are also experienced in dealing with matters where there are conflicts over co-ownership.
- Nicklaus Thomas-Symonds - ‘An effective practitioner, who knows his stuff.’
Public
Civitas Law’s public law team undertakes matters for or involving the Welsh government and local authorities in Wales. Areas of expertise include trade descriptions, education and procurement. The set is also well known for asylum and immigration law. Mona Bayoumi successfully represented an appellant at a deportation appeal in which the court considered the correct interpretation of the immigration rules.
- Theo Huckle QC - ‘Well regarded for his appellate advocacy in areas such as constitutional and devolution law.’
- Mona Bayoumi - ‘She acts for a number of agencies and government departments.’
- Victoria Hillier - ‘Recommended for local government work and social housing cases.’
- Graham Walters - ‘A leading practitioner who appears at the Administrative Court and undertakes a significant amount of advisory work.'
Regulatory, health and safety, and licensing
Civitas Law’s team is well regarded for its expertise in the regulatory aspects of criminal and administrative law. Graham Walters recently defended Douglas Willis Ltd in proceedings brought by a local authority regarding food labelling.
- Victoria Hillier - ‘Specialises in representing local authorities in licensing matters, and police constables in inquests.’
- Anthony Vines - ‘His broad expertise includes trading standards matters and inquest law.’
- Graham Walters - ‘Experienced in regulatory work involving the food industry.’