Anthony Vines

Year of Call:

1993

"He goes the extra mile for clients.”

Legal 500 2019

Home//Barristers//Anthony Vines

Areas of Expertise

Vertical Tabs

Overview

Anthony has a broad practice spanning commercial and regulatory law. Instructions are received both via direct access and from solicitors.

He is “Top Ranked” by the current edition of Chambers UK Bar Guide and a “Leading Junior” by the current edition of The Legal 500.

"Recommended for a wide range of construction and planning cases." The Legal 500 2019

“An experienced commercial litigator” (Legal 500 2019)

“Barrister with a diverse practice which includes cases concerning statutory demands, injunction proceedings and construction disputes. He also receives a significant number of instructions in regulatory and fraud cases. In addition to undertaking litigation he serves as a mediator.

Strengths: ''He is good on paper and efficient in court.'''He is good on paper and efficient in court.'' (Chambers UK 2019)

Strengths: "Anthony is highly skilled and knowledgeable. Rather than being simply a theoretical expert, he has the additional skill of being commercially minded. When put in front of clients he quickly gains their trust and confidence due to his personable manner and his ability to understand their world." (Chambers UK 2019)

“Anthony Vines of Civitas Law has a stellar reputation for work in commercial disputes. Instructing solicitors praise him for being ‘thorough and responsive’, and say he is ‘a very precise performer who can deal very well with situations as they arise’.’” Chambers UK Bar Guide (2013)

Expertise: “He goes above and beyond his role to help the case progress.” “He's very approachable and very understanding of the position of the client.” Chambers UK Bar Guide (2015)

“Knowledgeable in all aspects of commercial litigation, including consumer law and contractual disputes.’’ The Legal 500 (2014)

“Recommended for general contractual and consumer protection cases.” The Legal 500 (2015)

Top ranked for Commercial Dispute Resolution and Employment (Chambers UK Bar Guide 2015)

Leading Junior - Commercial, Business & Insolvency, Employment and Regulatory (The Legal 500 2015)

Appointments and Membership

Called to the Bar (1993)
Called to the Bar of Northern Ireland (2015) - (Belfast CC v Moviehouse Cinemas Ltd)
List A, List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health and Safety & Environmental Law
Welsh Government panel of junior counsel
Previously CPS Grade 4 Prosecutor - Welfare, Rural Affairs and Healthcare

Education

Malvern College
St John's College, University of Cambridge
City of London Polytechnic
Bar finals, Inns of Court School of Law, London

ADR

Anthony accepts instructions as a mediator in a wide range of disputes either within a community or a civil and commercial setting.

Whilst maintaining confidentiality at all times, Anthony adopts a flexible and practical approach dependent upon the particular needs of the parties and of the dispute. He likes to focus attention upon the outcome sought and assist the parties in building towards a resolution which is acceptable to them.

Commercial mediations have addressed issues of contract, construction, boundaries, employment, professional negligence, planning, shareholdings, probate, valuation and land rights.

Community mediations have included neighbourhood issues, noise nuisance, racism, homophobia and difficulties arising from medical issues.

Anthony qualified as an accredited mediator with CEDR (1996), as a community mediator with Southwark Mediation Centre (2002) as a civil and commercial mediator with ADR Group (2004) and as a workplace and employment mediator with London School of Mediation (2019).

Anthony has previously acted as mediator for the Court of Appeal’s Mediation Service, the Independent Housing Ombudsman and for CEDR.

Anthony is registered with the Civil Mediation Council as an Associate Mediator in Civil and Commercial matters as well as in Community matters.

He also accepts instructions to act on behalf of a party within a mediation.

Kindly contact the clerks by email with any possible instruction.

Administrative and Public

Anthony advises and represents individuals, businesses and regulators on a range of contentious and non-contentious aspects of public administration and decision-making, which can involve consideration of Welsh legislation.

Cases

Advising on the fairness of selection procedures within a political party
Advising on the possible commercial uses of the electoral register
Advising and representing in respect of claims made against a local authority under the Data Protection Act 1998
Representing the Welsh Government in prosecutions under care home and child care legislation
Representation of various interested parties during inquests
Advising in relation to pay, conditions and appraisal procedures for teachers
Re-drafting policies and procedures for a local authority
Advising a business in relation to the public law remedies for a grant scheme
Advising a local authority consortium on a joint venture public/private company
Advising a police force as to the operation of a charity
Advice and representation in relation to claims under child maintenance legislation
Advice concerning the regulation of fisheries
Advice and representation in respect of cash procedures under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
Advising in disciplinary proceedings
Representing the Independent Police Complaints Commission within disciplinary proceedings
Represented Bridgend CBC in the Public Inquiry before Professor Pennington arising from the 2005 outbreak of E. Coli 0157

Memberships

Health and Safety Lawyers' Association
Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
Administrative Law Bar Association

Anthony has recently presented a lecture to local authority lawyers on the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.

Company, Commercial and Insolvency

Company, Commercial & Insolvency

Expertise

Advises in range of commercial matters whether involving individuals or business-to-business transactions. Often the cases are complex and have a lending, regulatory or fraud flavour. Can assist with issues at different stages whether the review of terms and conditions, consideration of representations and promotion, performance, enforcement and debt recovery. Practising also as a mediator, he can support parties towards resolution.

Directories

Anthony's expertise in this area has been recognised by the independent directories for some years.

"He is good on paper and efficient in court." Chambers UK Bar 2019

Recommended for commercial dispute resolution work: “Personable and conscientious.” The Legal 500 (2018)

"He is very personable and has a good eye for detail. He puts clients at their ease and is thorough in his preparations." Chambers UK Bar Guide (2018)

“Acts for both businesses and individuals in a range of commercial disputes. He regularly advises and represents in consumer protection matters, contract and lending disputes, and company disputes.”

Expertise: “He goes above and beyond his role to help the case progress.” “He's very approachable and very understanding of the position of the client.” Chambers UK Bar Guide (2015)

“Knowledgeable in all aspects of commercial litigation, including consumer law and contractual disputes.” The Legal 500 (2014)

“Recommended for general contractual and consumer protection cases” The Legal 500 (2015)

Anthony Vines (Band 1)

Has a broad practice which covers contractual, construction, employment, professional negligence and planning litigation. He also regularly acts as a mediator in a wide range of disputes.

Recent work: He was instructed on one of the claims arising from the Gwent Fleet Management fraud which left both finance houses and consumers with title disputes over cars.

Chambers UK Bar Guide (2014)

“Anthony Vines of Civitas Law has a stellar reputation for work in commercial disputes. Instructing solicitors praise him for being "thorough and responsive," and say he is "a very precise performer who can deal very well with situations as they arise.” Chambers UK Bar Guide (2013)

Cases

Acted for debtor in successful High Court appeal against dismissal of application to set aside statutory demand. Case complicated with involvement of regulatory authority from offshore jurisdiction
Advised business in claim against equipment lessor and supplier over issues of misrepresentation
Advised business in claim brought by consumer over condition of car
Advised manufacturer in substantial multi-party contractual/tortious dispute over failed industrial column
Advised local authority over enforcement against business based outside the jurisdiction
Acted for client in claim by employment agent for fees
Acting for local authority in relation to joint venture company dispute
Acting for individual in lending claim against high street bank
Advising NHS Trusts on contractual disputes
Acting for retailer in national trading stands issue
Acting for finance house in numerous title disputes over cars arising from Gwent Fleet Management fraud including Family Finance v JD Cleverly & Anr [2010] EWCA 1477, [2011] RTR 22
Instructed in prosecution of retailer of modchips for Xbox, Nintendo and Sony Playstation under copyright, trade marks and money-laundering legislation. Business turned over £850,000 over two years. Restraint proceedings and funds being removed from the jurisdiction. Case appealed unsuccessfully on whether a copy within copyright legislation was created. R v Gilham [2009] EWCA Crim 2293 CA [2009] WLR (D) 324, [2010] ECDR 5, [2010] Lloyd's Rep FC 89
Instructed by company in respect of plant finance agreements
Advising upon uses of electoral register
Advising upon proceedings against respondents out of the jurisdiction
Acting for franchisor in obtaining injunction in respect of breaches of franchise agreement by franchisee
Acting for numerous consumer credit licensees before the OFT and upon appeal
Acting for consumer in claim of undue influence against lender

Memberships

Health and Safety Lawyers' Association

London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association

Construction, Planning and Environment

Anthony receives instructions in connection with a range of cases including building disputes over contractual obligations, planning enforcement and environmental matters such as statutory nuisances and pollution.

He is also instructed in the more technical cases involving enforcement by injunction and prosecutions. Anthony is one for the few appointed in 2012 to List A of the Panel of Specialist Regulatory Advocates for health and safety & environmental law.

“Recommended for building and statutory nuisance disputes and planning enforcement.” The Legal 500 (2018)

"He is very personable and has a good eye for detail. He puts clients at their ease and is thorough in his preparations." Chambers’ UK Bar (2018)

Previously a CPS Grade 4 prosecutor in connection with Welfare, Health and Rural Affairs.

Cases

Instructed by the Welsh Ministers in public inquiry into A40 improvement
Successfully defended large mobile home company in local authority prosecution regarding breach of condition notice under English law. Issues included interpretation of planning permission and disclosure of unused material.
Advises on liability under Community Infrastructure Levy
Advising under pollution legislation
Advising as to liability under Permitting Regulations
Advising as to liability under remediation scheme
Prosecuted for local authority in fatal gate construction and repair case
Advising as to liability in respect of private water supply.
Advised manufacturer in substantial multi-party contractual/tortious dispute over failed industrial column
Acting for building contractor in claim to recover project sums with issues as to quality of work
Various prosecutions in relation to breaches of planning control
Advised a local authority as to the regulation of local fisheries
Instructed in relation to long-running High Court injunction and magistrates' court enforcement proceedings in respect of noise nuisance (2014)
Successfully defended individual accused of deliberately disturbing a dormouse habitat: R v Jones
Defended individual prosecuted arising from substantial skip hire business and unlawful dumping: R v James

Memberships

Health and Safety Lawyers’ Association

Administrative Law Bar Association

London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association

Delivered presentation to local authority officers on behalf of the Welsh Government in relation to fly-tipping.

Education

Recent advisory work has included advising as to the operation of the school pay regime in Wales and in relation to the teacher appraisal system.

Previous instructions have included bringing judicial review proceedings on behalf of a head teacher arising from an OFSTED inspection (R v Chief Inspector of Schools for England ex parte Hill [1998] EWHC 71)

Inquests and Inquiries

‘His broad expertise includes trading standards matters and inquest law.’ The Legal 500 (2014)

Anthony was recently instructed by the Welsh Ministers to represent them at the Public Inquiry before Mr Aidan McCooey into the proposed improvements of the A40 in West Wales between Llandewi Velfrey and Penblewin.

Anthony represented Bridgend CBC and its officers in the Public Inquiry arising from the 2005 outbreak of e. Coli 0157 in South Wales. The 8-week inquiry by Professor Hugh Pennington covered the regulation of meat, environmental health services, school meals provision and medical services in Caerphilly, Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff.

Anthony also receives instructions in a range of health and safety matters including fatalities.

Anthony's representation at inquests has included:

road accidents
police and prison custody
a husband in respect of a suspected assisted suicide/manslaughter of his wife
a product manufacturer where there were issues over the role of the product in the death

For further information, kindly contact the Clerks on 02920 375020

Police law

Police Law

Anthony has handled a range of work for local police forces and for the Independent Police Complaints Commission both in Cardiff and in London.

His practice has included:

Appeals in respect of firearms and licensed premises.
Employment, charitable and pension matters
Inquests arising from deaths in custody and manslaughter investigations
Managing various substantial standard and e-disclosure exercises

Recent work for the IPCC has included in the misconduct proceedings against CC Gargan, Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset.

Property and Land

Anthony advises property owners and regulators in relation to the various private and public law aspects of land and property rights.

In relation to land, this has included the regulated areas of rights of way, wildlife protection, listed buildings, statutory nuisances and houses of multiple occupation. Anthony also advises in relation to private law rights including leaseholder covenants and water supplies.

Anthony also has received instructions as lead mediator in relation to private law property disputes.

Anthony has also advised in relation to manorial titles, trade marks and copyright.

Regulatory, Health and Safety and Licensing

Anthony is instructed in the more complex regulatory and public law matters. Frequently there may be issues regarding trading, licensing or enforcement and he is used to appearing in many different forums.

Anthony is instructed by local authorities, regulators, government departments, police authorities, businesses such as the Royal Mail, and individuals in advisory work, court and/or tribunal hearings concerning trading standards and environmental health to care standards, planning enforcement, education, inquests and fraud.

Appointed to the Attorney General’s Panel in 2001, he has prosecuted on behalf of the principal regulators. Anthony was appointed in 2012 to List A of Specialist Regulatory Advocates for health and safety and environmental matters. He has since 2005 been on the panel of the Welsh Government in connection with regulatory and criminal matters. He has considerable experience in handling EU Regulations and expert evidence concerning statutory defences, procedures and abuse of process.

Directories

Strengths: "He is always sensible and is a good operator." Chambers’ UK Bar (2018)

“Sagacious and amicable”; ‘Experienced in planning enforcement and statutory nuisance disputes.’ The Legal 500 (2018)

‘Experienced in professional regulation, inquests and licensing breach disputes.’ The Legal 500 (2016)

“He is very good intellectually in terms of analysing the case.” Chambers’ UK Bar (2016)

‘His practice includes health and safety, food safety, trading standards and animal welfare.’ The Legal 500 (2015)

‘His broad expertise includes trading standards matters and inquest law.’ The Legal 500 (2014)

"Civitas Law's Anthony Vines has a national practice covering complex health and safety cases." The Legal 500 (2013)

Cases

Advised and represented the Welsh Government in contested prosecution under fisheries legislation
Represented defendants in contested prosecutions concerned with breaches of noise abatement notices
Represented defendant in animal welfare prosecution
Advised Welsh Government as to electronic communications code in commercial property matter
Advised and represented vehicle operator licence holder in successful appearance before Traffic Commissioner
Represented HSE in prosecution concerning traffic management resulting in serious injury
Advised police authority as to firearms review
Advised company in proposed appeal against Information Commissioner monetary penalty notice under Privacy and Electronic Communications Regs
Successfully prosecuted for local authority under Trade Marks Act 1994 and Tobacco Products Regulations 2015
Instructed by defendant local authority in relation to fatal health and safety case
Appeared in successful public inquiry before Traffic Commissioner acting for vehicle operator licence holder and transport manager
Appeared in successful appeal against company director’s disqualification following many filing convictions
Instructed by property developer in relation to the disputed liability under Community Infrastructure Levy
Instructed by company director in Companies House prosecution where allegations of internal fraud: prosecution dropped
Appeared for police force in Crown Court firearms appeal and advised in subsequent judicial review
Instructed by defendant fire risk assessor in relation to serious fire regulations prosecution concerning many commercial premises
Instructed for prosecuting Council in fatal case concerning failure of gate (2013-6)
Instructed by individual in respect of listing building enforcement matter
Instructed by major business in respect of food labelling and hygiene issues
Instructed by property developer in relation to the pollution investigation by NRW
Instructed by Belfast City Council in successful prosecution of Flicks Restaurant (Moviehouse Cinemas (Yorkgate) Limited) arising from 2012 outbreak of e. Coli O157 where 141 confirmed cases (2013-15)
Instructed by regulator in highly sensitive disclosure exercise
Instructed by regulator in relation to sensitive misconduct application (2015)
Instructed in various fraud cases involving companies and/or the NHS including R v Shurn (2015) EWCA Crim 1680
Have prosecuted in private prosecutions for dishonesty offences in Crown and magistrates' court
Instructed in relation to noise nuisance injunction and prosecution (2014)
Instructed by defence re health and safety incident (2014)
Instructed in inquest where potential issue of assisted suicide (2014)
Instructed for company in relation to the breaches of licence for house of multiple occupation (2013)
Advised in relation to lawfulness of regulator's actions (2013)
Advised defence in relation to food hygiene prosecution (2013)
Reviewed local authority procedures and documentation in relation to public protection (2013)
Instructed for prosecution of contempt allegations in relation to Crown Court confiscation proceedings (2013)
Instructed for the Defence in pair of serious workplace accidents (Cambridge Crown Court 2012)
Instructed by HSE in prosecution of local authority arising from the death of a disabled man in a hoist (2012)
Acted for Welsh Ministers in care home neglect prosecution: R v Smyth (2012)
Successfully acted for defendant trader in nationwide prosecutions for offences contrary to unfair trading regulations (2011-12)
Have prosecuted fraud cases to trial for regulatory authority
Advised local authority in relation to social care provision
Instructed by Welsh Ministers for CSSIW prosecution
Acted for public authority in relation to three-week inquest where death in care and subsequent human rights claims (2011-12)
Instructed by Wrexham CBC in prosecution of takeaway owner for 2009 outbreak of E. Coli 0157: R v Aslan (2011)
Instructed by Welsh Ministers in case concerning abuse of TB regime: R v Price (2011)
Instructed in prosecution of retailer of modchips for Xbox, Nintendo and Sony Playstation under copyright, trade marks and money-laundering legislation. Business turned over £850,000 over two years. Restraint proceedings and funds being removed from the jurisdiction. Case appealed unsuccessfully on whether a copy within copyright legislation was created. R v Gilham [2009] EWCA Crim 2293 CA [2009] WLR (D) 324[1]
Represented Bridgend CBC at the Public Inquiry chaired by Professor Pennington into the 2005 South Wales outbreak of E. coli 0157. Evidence concerned public procurement, food hygiene and school management.
Caerphilly CBC, RCT CBC & Bridgend CBC v Tudor – Led by Graham Walters in prosecution of butcher for marketing of unsafe food and food hygiene offences arising from 2005 e. coli outbreak resulting in death of Mason Jones. Managed substantial disclosure process involving 9 counsel.
Successfully defended individual accused of deliberately disturbing a dormouse habitat: R v Jones
Defended individual prosecuted arising from substantial skip hire business and unlawful dumping: R v James
Acted for product manufacturer at inquest

Memberships

Health and Safety Lawyers’ Association

Administrative Law Bar Association

Contact

For further information please contact our clerks, who will be able to help you with any questions.

+44 (0)2920 375020

clerks@civitaslaw.com

Expertise

Barristers

Door Tenants

You are here

Vertical Tabs

Overview

Appointments and Membership

Education

Administrative and Public

Company, Commercial & Insolvency

Expertise

Directories

Cases

Memberships

Construction, Planning and Environment

Cases

Memberships

Education

Inquests and Inquiries

Police Law

His practice has included:

Property and Land

Memberships

Contact